AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Newtons Second Law

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Newtons Second Law, 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: When does an object experience no net force according to Newton's Second Law?

Answer: When at rest or constant velocity. Net force equals zero when acceleration is zero.

Flashcard 2: What does the symbol $F$ represent in $F = ma$?

Answer: Force. The net force applied to the object, measured in Newtons.

Flashcard 3: If force is tripled, what happens to acceleration (mass constant)?

Answer: Triples. From $a = F/m$, tripling force triples acceleration.

Flashcard 4: Determine mass of an object with $25 \text{ N}$ force and $5 \text{ m/s}^2$ acceleration.

Answer: $5 \text{ kg}$. Using $m = F/a$: $m = 25/5 = 5 \text{ kg}$.

Flashcard 5: Calculate acceleration of $10 \text{ kg}$ object with $50 \text{ N}$ force.

Answer: $5 \text{ m/s}^2$. Using $a = F/m$: $a = 50/10 = 5 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Flashcard 6: Find the mass if $F = 9 \text{ N}$ and $a = 3 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Answer: $3 \text{ kg}$. Using $m = F/a$: $m = 9/3 = 3 \text{ kg}$.

Flashcard 7: Calculate force for $3 \text{ kg}$ object with $6 \text{ m/s}^2$ acceleration.

Answer: $18 \text{ N}$. Using $F = ma$: $F = 3 \times 6 = 18 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 8: State the effect of increasing force on acceleration for constant mass.

Answer: Acceleration increases. From $a = F/m$, larger numerator gives larger result.

Flashcard 9: Calculate acceleration for $20 \text{ kg}$ object with $100 \text{ N}$ force.

Answer: $5 \text{ m/s}^2$. Using $a = F/m$: $a = 100/20 = 5 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Flashcard 10: What is the formula for Newton's Second Law?

Answer: $F = ma$. The fundamental equation relating net force, mass, and acceleration.

Flashcard 11: Identify the SI unit for mass.

Answer: Kilogram (kg). Base SI unit for the amount of matter in an object.

Flashcard 12: Identify the SI unit for acceleration.

Answer: Meters per second squared ($\text{m/s}^2$). The rate of velocity change per unit time.

Flashcard 13: If mass is halved and force is constant, what happens to acceleration?

Answer: Doubles. From $a = F/m$, halving mass doubles acceleration: $a = F/(m/2) = 2F/m$.

Flashcard 14: What is the relationship between mass and acceleration in $F = ma$?

Answer: Inversely proportional. Greater mass produces smaller acceleration when force is constant.

Flashcard 15: If force is zero, what is the state of motion according to Newton's Second Law?

Answer: No acceleration (constant velocity). Zero force means zero acceleration, so velocity remains constant.

Flashcard 16: State the effect of increasing mass on acceleration for constant force.

Answer: Acceleration decreases. From $a = F/m$, larger denominator gives smaller result.

Flashcard 17: Determine mass of an object with $25 \text{ N}$ force and $5 \text{ m/s}^2$ acceleration.

Answer: $5 \text{ kg}$. Using $m = F/a$: $m = 25/5 = 5 \text{ kg}$.

Flashcard 18: What does the symbol $m$ represent in $F = ma$?

Answer: Mass. The amount of matter in the object, measured in kilograms.

Flashcard 19: Determine the net force if $m = 4 \text{ kg}$ and $a = 2 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Answer: $8 \text{ N}$. Using $F = ma$: $F = 4 \times 2 = 8 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 20: What happens to acceleration if both mass and force are doubled?

Answer: Remains the same. From $a = F/m$, doubling both cancels out: $a = 2F/2m = F/m$.

Flashcard 21: Calculate the mass: $F = 15 \text{ N}$, $a = 5 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Answer: $3 \text{ kg}$. Using $m = F/a$: $m = 15/5 = 3 \text{ kg}$.

Flashcard 22: Calculate force needed to accelerate $5 \text{ kg}$ object at $4 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Answer: $20 \text{ N}$. Using $F = ma$: $F = 5 \times 4 = 20 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 23: Calculate net force for $8 \text{ kg}$ object accelerating at $3 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Answer: $24 \text{ N}$. Using $F = ma$: $F = 8 \times 3 = 24 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 24: Calculate the force: $m = 2 \text{ kg}$, $a = 3 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Answer: $6 \text{ N}$. Using $F = ma$: $F = 2 \times 3 = 6 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 25: If mass is doubled and force is constant, what happens to acceleration?

Answer: Halves. From $a = F/m$, doubling mass halves acceleration.

Flashcard 26: Find force if $m = 12 \text{ kg}$ and $a = 2 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Answer: $24 \text{ N}$. Using $F = ma$: $F = 12 \times 2 = 24 \text{ N}$.

Flashcard 27: What does the symbol $a$ represent in $F = ma$?

Answer: Acceleration. The rate of change of velocity, measured in $\text{m/s}^2$.

Flashcard 28: What is the effect of zero net force on an object's motion?

Answer: Constant velocity. Zero net force means zero acceleration, so velocity stays constant.

Flashcard 29: How does Newton's Second Law explain the effect of doubling mass on acceleration?

Answer: Acceleration is halved. Mass inversely affects acceleration according to $a = F/m$.

Flashcard 30: Calculate acceleration of $15 \text{ kg}$ object with $75 \text{ N}$ force.

Answer: $5 \text{ m/s}^2$. Using $a = F/m$: $a = 75/15 = 5 \text{ m/s}^2$.