5.1.3

Basics of Motion 3

Test yourself

Distance vs Displacement

Distance and displacement are slightly different. Be careful which one you use.

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Distance

  • Distance is how far an object moves.
  • Distance is a scalar quantity.
    • This is because it contains a magnitude (size) but not a direction.
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Displacement

  • Displacement is the distance an object moves in a straight line from a starting point to a finishing point.
  • Displacement is a vector quantity.
    • This is because it contains a magnitude (size) and direction.

Contact and Non-contact Forces

A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object when it interacts with another object. All forces between objects are either:

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Contact forces

  • Contact forces happen when two objects are physically touching.
    • Friction, air resistance, tension and normal contact force are all examples of contact forces.
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Non-contact forces

  • Non-contact forces happen when objects are separated (not touching).
    • Gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force are all examples of non-contact forces.

Contact Forces

Contact forces happen when two objects are physically touching. Examples include:

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Friction

  • Friction comes about whenever two surfaces are touching and try to move against each other.
  • Tiny bumps in the surface interlock (overlap or fit together). This creates a frictional force that opposes their motion.
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Air resistance

  • Air resistance comes about when an object moves through the air and collides with (hits) air molecules.
  • This creates a force that slows the object down.
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Tension

  • Tension is the pulling force that a string or cable exerts (creates) when something or someone pulls on it.
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Normal contact force

  • When you push on a table, your hand doesn't move through it.
  • This is because the normal contact force from the table pushes equally on your hand.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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