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Newton's first law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue in a straight line at constant speed unless acted upon by an external force. This principle highlights the natural tendency of objects to resist changes in their state of motion, emphasizing the need for a net force to alter an object's velocity.
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Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This fundamental principle of classical mechanics is expressed by the equation F = ma, where F is the net force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration.
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Newton's Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, meaning that forces always occur in pairs. This principle is fundamental in understanding interactions between objects, as it explains how forces are balanced and how motion is initiated and altered.
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A vector quantity is a physical measurement that has both magnitude and direction, distinguishing it from scalar quantities which have only magnitude. Vectors are crucial in fields like physics and engineering to describe quantities such as force, velocity, and displacement, and are typically represented graphically by arrows or mathematically by ordered pairs or triplets.
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Net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object, determining its acceleration according to Newton's second law of motion. It is crucial for understanding how objects move or remain in equilibrium under various forces.
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Friction is the resistive force that occurs when two surfaces interact, impeding motion and resulting in the conversion of kinetic energy into thermal energy. It plays a crucial role in everyday life, influencing everything from the grip of tires on a road to the wear and tear of mechanical components.
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Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that attracts two bodies with mass towards each other, playing a crucial role in the structure and behavior of the universe. It governs the motion of celestial bodies, influences tides, and is essential for phenomena such as the orbits of planets and the falling of objects on Earth.
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Tension is a force that is transmitted through a string, rope, cable, or similar object when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, and is crucial in understanding mechanical equilibrium and dynamics in physics.
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Normal force is the perpendicular contact force exerted by a surface on an object resting upon it, counteracting the object's weight and preventing it from passing through the surface. It is a crucial component in understanding equilibrium and motion in physics, as it adjusts based on the angle and nature of the surface and the forces acting on the object.
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Centripetal force is the inward force required to keep an object moving in a circular path, acting perpendicular to the object's velocity. It is essential for maintaining circular motion and is provided by various forces such as tension, gravity, or friction depending on the context.
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Inertia is a fundamental property of matter that describes an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion or rest, as described by Newton's First Law of Motion. It is directly proportional to an object's mass, meaning the greater the mass, the greater the inertia, and thus the more force is required to alter its motion.
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Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time, and it is a vector quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It is a fundamental concept in physics that explains how the motion of objects changes due to forces acting upon them, often described by Newton's Second Law of Motion.
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Mass is a fundamental property of physical objects that quantifies the amount of matter contained within them, playing a crucial role in the laws of physics, especially in mechanics and gravitation. It is invariant in classical physics but can vary according to the theory of relativity when an object approaches the speed of light.
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Equilibrium refers to a state where opposing forces or influences are balanced, resulting in a stable system. It is a fundamental concept across various disciplines, indicating a condition where variables remain constant over time unless disturbed by external factors.
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Newton's equations of motion describe the relationship between the motion of an object and the forces acting on it, forming the foundation of classical mechanics. These equations, which include the laws of inertia, acceleration, and action-reaction, allow us to predict the behavior of objects under various force conditions.
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Work and energy are fundamental concepts in physics that describe the relationship between force and movement, and the capacity to perform work, respectively. The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another, which underpins many physical processes and systems.
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Newton's laws of motion form the foundation of classical mechanics, describing the relationship between a body and the forces acting upon it, and its motion in response to those forces. These laws explain how objects move and interact, providing a framework for understanding everything from everyday phenomena to complex engineering systems.
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The Work-Energy Theorem states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy, providing a direct relationship between force applied and the resultant motion. This theorem is fundamental in understanding how energy is transferred and transformed in mechanical systems.
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The Work-Energy Principle states that the work done by all forces acting on an object equals the change in its kinetic energy. This principle provides a powerful tool for analyzing the motion of objects by linking force, displacement, and energy.
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Simple machines are basic mechanical devices that alter the direction or magnitude of a force, making tasks easier by providing mechanical advantage. They are the fundamental building blocks of more complex machines and are essential in understanding the principles of physics and engineering.
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A lever is a simple machine consisting of a rigid beam pivoted on a fulcrum, used to amplify force and make lifting or moving objects easier. By adjusting the position of the fulcrum and the lengths of the beam arms, levers can provide a mechanical advantage that reduces the effort needed to perform a task.
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Equations of motion are fundamental mathematical expressions that describe the behavior of a physical system in terms of its motion as a function of time. They are essential for predicting the future state of a system under the influence of forces, allowing for the analysis and design of mechanical systems in physics and engineering.
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Dynamics is the branch of physics that studies the forces and their effects on the motion of objects. It is essential for understanding how and why objects move, encompassing both kinematics and the forces that cause motion changes.
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Velocity Ratio is a measure of the mechanical advantage of a machine, indicating the efficiency with which input speed is converted into output speed. It is calculated as the ratio of the distance moved by the effort to the distance moved by the load in a given time frame, highlighting the trade-off between speed and force in mechanical systems.
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The equation of motion describes the mathematical relationship between an object's position, velocity, and acceleration as a function of time, providing a comprehensive framework for predicting the future state of a system under the influence of forces. These equations are fundamental in classical mechanics and are essential for solving problems related to the motion of objects in physics and engineering.
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Newtonian Mechanics, also known as classical mechanics, is the branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects and the forces acting upon them, based on the laws formulated by Sir Isaac Newton. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the physical world at macroscopic scales, excluding relativistic and quantum effects.
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Gravitational pull is the attractive force exerted by a massive object on another object due to their masses and the distance between them, as described by Newton's law of universal gravitation. This force is responsible for the orbits of planets, the tides on Earth, and the structure of the universe on a large scale.
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A Newton-meter is a unit of torque in the International System of Units, representing the rotational force applied at a distance from an axis. It is equivalent to one Newton of force applied perpendicularly to a lever at a distance of one meter from the fulcrum.
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Deceleration refers to the reduction of velocity or the rate at which an object slows down, often described as negative acceleration. It is a critical concept in physics and engineering, impacting areas such as vehicle safety, motion control, and energy efficiency.
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Physical parameters are quantifiable characteristics of a physical system that define its state and behavior, such as temperature, pressure, and volume. They are essential for modeling, predicting, and controlling physical phenomena across various scientific and engineering disciplines.
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