4-1-force_glossary

The study of forces and their effect on the motion of objects and systems. Focuses on the *cause* of motion.

A force acting on an object from outside the system.

The cause of motion; a push or pull on an object. Can be strong or weak, and act in different directions.

A diagram representing an object as a point, showing only the external forces acting on it as vectors. Useful for analyzing forces.

A force resisting motion between surfaces in contact. (Mentioned as a force to be covered later)

A force acting without physical contact, pulling objects towards each other (e.g., Earth pulling on objects).

A force acting between two objects within the same system.

The study of motion itself, describing velocity and acceleration but not the forces causing the motion.

The total combined external force acting on a system.

The total force acting on an object; the sum of all forces acting on it.