Forces in Action
What is a force?
A push or pull on an object.
What is velocity?
Speed in a given direction.
Which object is harder to move: a small rock or a large boulder?
The large boulderâit has more mass.
What is a collision?
When two objects hit each other and exert forces on one another.
What was the main problem the USA needed to solve?
Why the space pod failed to dock at the station.
What happens to an object when an unbalanced force acts on it?
Its motion changes (it speeds up, slows down, or changes direction).
What happens to an objectâs velocity when the net force is zero?
The object continues to move at a constant velocity.
What happens when a large mass and small mass collide with equal force?
The smaller mass changes speed more
What happens to the motion of objects after a collision?
Their velocities change depending on their masses and forces.
What did scientists learn about the thrusters?
The thrusters fired but didnât stop the pod before impact.
What type of force slows down moving objects?
Friction
What term describes how quickly velocity changes?
Acceleration
What does Newtonâs Second Law say about mass, force, and acceleration?
Force = mass Ă acceleration (F = ma).
What is true about the forces in a collision between two objects?
They are equal in strength and opposite in direction.
What evidence showed that a collision had happened?
The podâs velocity changed, and it bounced off the station.
What does Newtonâs First Law state?
An object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
If two objects collide and one changes direction, what does that tell us about the forces involved?
Forces acted on both objects, causing changes in their motion
Why does it take more force to move a heavy space pod than a small satellite?
The pod has greater mass and inertia
If a massive station and a small pod collide, which changes speed more?
The smaller pod.
Why did the less massive pod move faster than the station after impact?
Equal and opposite forces acted, but the smaller mass changed speed more.
What force pulls objects toward Earth or other planets?
Gravity
Why do scientists use vectors when studying motion?
Vectors show both direction and magnitude of velocity or force.
If two pods exert equal and opposite forces, which moves faster after collision?
The less massive pod moves faster.
What kind of evidence can show that a collision occurred?
Changes in direction, speed, or damage to the objects.
What conclusion did students reach about the cause of the docking failure?
The podâs thrusters didnât entirely stop its motion, causing it to collide with the station.