Name: _____________________________________ Class:

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Motions and Forces Study Guide

Matching: Match each vocabulary word to its best definition.

__e___ 1. Velocity a. Force that pulls all objects toward

each other

__h___ 2. Speed b. A push or pull that causes an object

to move, stop, or change speed or
position

__a___ 3. gravity c. Force that keeps two objects that are

touching from sliding past each other
easily

__b___ 4. Force d. Energy in motion

__c___ 5. Friction e. An object’s direction and speed

__f___ 6. Potential f. Stored energy an object has because

of its position

__d___ 7. Kinetic g. Things around you that you use to

describe motion

__g___ 8. Frame of Reference h. How fast an object is moving

9. Explain the difference between Kinetic and Potential Energy.

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has while it is moving. Potential energy is energy it
has because it could move because of its position off the ground.

10. Explain the difference between speed and velocity.

Speed is how fast something is moving, and velocity is how fast AND in what direction it’s
moving.

11. How would being on the moon affect your weight? Mass?

If I were on the moon, my weight would be less because there is less gravity; however, my
mass would not change at all because mass does NOT depend on gravity.

12. position: _describes a certain

place_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
13. relative motion: __motion that depends on the frame of
reference____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

14. acceleration: __any change in motion of an object such as speeding up, slowing down, or
changing direction__

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

15. newton: __a metric unit of measurement that measures force, named after Isaac
Newton_________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Name forces that would be used in a game of basketball. (at least 3)

You could use a push when passing the ball. You might push off the ground when running.
When you jump and land on the court, gravity is pulling you down. Friction would help you
shoot the ball as the ball rubs against your skin.

What forces do engineers work with in creating roller coasters? (at least 3)

They work with friction, which keeps the roller coaster from going too fast. Then, they use
gravity to help the coaster rush down hills. Also, the design of the coaster changes the
amount of air resistance, which can speed up the coaster or slow it down.

Would this be kinetic or potential energy…

A rubber band flying through the air _____kinetic_____________

Water at the top of a mountain ____potential____________

A bow stretched in someone’s hand _____potential___________

A rollercoaster at the top of the hill _____potential___________

Water crashing into a river below a cliff ______kinetic____________