AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Forces And Free Body Diagrams

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Forces And Free Body Diagrams, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 1.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the effect on acceleration if net force is doubled?

Answer: Acceleration doubles. From $F = ma$; doubling force doubles acceleration for constant mass.

Flashcard 2: Which force acts on a hanging object in a stationary elevator?

Answer: Tension equal to weight. Tension balances weight when elevator moves at constant velocity.

Flashcard 3: Identify the force that acts between two charged objects.

Answer: Electrostatic force. Coulomb force between charges; can be attractive or repulsive.

Flashcard 4: Calculate the friction force for $μ_k = 0.3$ and $N = 50 \text{ N}$.

Answer: $f_k = 15 \text{ N}$. Using $f_k = \mu_k N = 0.3 \times 50 = 15 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 5: What is the formula for net force on an inclined plane?

Answer: $F_{\text{net}} = mg \, \sin \theta - f$. Gravity component minus friction determines net acceleration down plane.

Flashcard 6: What happens to friction if the normal force is doubled?

Answer: Friction doubles. Friction is directly proportional to normal force.

Flashcard 7: How does increasing mass affect gravitational force?

Answer: Gravitational force increases. Force is proportional to both masses in gravitational equation.

Flashcard 8: What is the relationship between acceleration and net force?

Answer: Directly proportional. From Newton's second law: $a = \frac{F}{m}$.

Flashcard 9: What is the formula for static frictional force?

Answer: $f_s \, \leq \, \text{μ}_s N$. Static friction can vary up to maximum value $\text{μ}_s N$.

Flashcard 10: Find the normal force on a 10 kg object on a flat surface.

Answer: $N = 98 \text{ N}$. Normal force equals weight on horizontal surface: $N = mg$.

Flashcard 11: What is the formula for restoring force in a spring?

Answer: $F = -kx$. Hooke's law; negative sign indicates force opposes displacement.

Flashcard 12: What is the relationship between acceleration and net force?

Answer: Directly proportional. From Newton's second law: $a = \frac{F}{m}$.

Flashcard 13: Determine the tension in a rope holding a 5 kg mass at rest.

Answer: $T = 49 \text{ N}$. At rest, tension equals weight: $T = mg = 5 \times 9.8 = 49 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 14: What is the formula for centripetal force?

Answer: $F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}$. Force needed to maintain circular motion at constant speed.

Flashcard 15: Which force acts on a satellite orbiting Earth?

Answer: Gravitational force. Earth's gravity provides centripetal force for orbital motion.

Flashcard 16: Calculate the friction force for $μ_k = 0.3$ and $N = 50 \text{ N}$.

Answer: $f_k = 15 \text{ N}$. Using $f_k = \text{μ}_k N = 0.3 \times 50 = 15 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 17: Identify the force that balances the weight of a stationary object on a table.

Answer: Normal force. Normal force provides upward support equal to object's weight.

Flashcard 18: What is the formula for net force on an inclined plane?

Answer: $F_{\text{net}} = mg \, \sin \theta - f$. Gravity component minus friction determines net acceleration down plane.

Flashcard 19: Find the value of the normal force on an inclined plane.

Answer: $N = mg \, \cos \theta$. Normal force is weight component perpendicular to inclined plane.

Flashcard 20: Which force is responsible for an object sliding down an inclined plane?

Answer: Component of gravitational force parallel to the plane. Component $mg \sin \theta$ acts parallel to inclined surface.

Flashcard 21: What happens to friction if the normal force is doubled?

Answer: Friction doubles. Friction is directly proportional to normal force.

Flashcard 22: Find the net force if an object has forces of 5 N and 3 N in opposite directions.

Answer: Net force is 2 N in the direction of the larger force. Subtract opposing forces: $5 \text{ N} - 3 \text{ N} = 2 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 23: State Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Answer: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces always occur in equal and opposite pairs between objects.

Flashcard 24: What is the unit of gravitational constant $G$?

Answer: $\text{N m}^2 \text{kg}^{-2}$. Units derived from $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$ dimensional analysis.

Flashcard 25: State the formula for Newton's Second Law of Motion.

Answer: $F = ma$. Force equals mass times acceleration; fundamental dynamics equation.

Flashcard 26: What is the resultant force of 10 N and 15 N acting in the same direction?

Answer: 25 N in the direction of both forces. Add forces in same direction: $10 \text{ N} + 15 \text{ N} = 25 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 27: Identify the main force that acts at a distance without contact.

Answer: Gravitational force. Gravity acts between all masses without physical contact.

Flashcard 28: Identify the force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object.

Answer: Normal force. Normal force acts perpendicular to contact surfaces, preventing penetration.

Flashcard 29: Identify the force that opposes the relative motion of two surfaces.

Answer: Frictional force. Kinetic and static friction resist sliding between contact surfaces.

Flashcard 30: Which force always acts opposite to the direction of motion?

Answer: Frictional force. Friction always opposes relative motion between surfaces in contact.