Forces and Motion Flashcards

Grade 4 · Science · Flashcards

Study key vocabulary for forces, gravity, friction, and motion.

Flashcards

Force: A push or pull that can change the speed or direction of an object
Newton: The unit used to measure the size of a force
Gravity: A pulling force that attracts objects with mass toward each other
Friction: A force that resists motion when two surfaces are in contact
Air resistance: Friction between a moving object and air molecules that slows it down
Balanced forces: Equal forces in opposite directions — no change in motion results
Unbalanced forces: Unequal forces that cause a change in an object's motion
Inertia: The tendency of objects to resist changes in their motion
Motion: A change in the position of an object over time
Speed: How fast an object moves — distance divided by time
Net force: The overall force on an object when all forces are combined
Isaac Newton: The scientist who discovered the three laws of motion and the law of gravity