Ch 9: Motion & Force Mechanics: Help & Review
About This Chapter
Motion & Force Mechanics - Chapter Summary
The fun video lessons in this chapter simplify the process of understanding motion and force mechanics. Expert instruction enables you to gain full comprehension of scalars, vectors, net force and more, while around-the-clock access lets you study whenever convenient. Each lesson is accompanied by a short quiz you can take to test your knowledge of the concepts it covers. If you hit a snag and need additional information about lesson topics, feel free to send your questions to our experts. Taking advantage of these study resources will enable you to do the following:
- Discuss the implications of mechanics on objects
- Describe kinematics and the study of the motion of objects
- Differentiate between scalars and vectors
- Define position, distance and displacement in physics
- List and describe types of forces, including balanced and unbalanced forces
- Share the definition of net force
- Understand how to determine the individual forces acting upon an object
- Identify and describe types of friction
- Provide the definition of normal force

1. What is Kinematics? - Studying the Motion of Objects
Kinematics is the study of the motion of objects. Kinematics can tell you a lot about motion, but not everything. In this lesson, we will examine the types of questions kinematics can and cannot answer.

2. Scalars and Vectors: Definition and Difference
In this lesson, we will examine scalars and vectors, learn why it is important to know the difference between the two and why remembering to add a direction to many of your exam answers could be the reason you get it right or wrong.

3. What is Position in Physics? - Definition & Examples
After watching this video, you will be able to explain what position is, why it is a vector, and interpret position-time graphs. A short quiz will follow.

4. Distance and Displacement in Physics: Definition and Examples
Distance and displacement might seem like similar terms but in physics, understanding the difference can mean getting a question right instead of wrong. In this lesson, we will define these terms and illustrate how easy it is to confuse the two.

5. Force: Definition and Types
Force is everywhere and it comes in a variety of sizes, directions, and types. In this video lesson, you'll identify force as well the different types of force that objects may experience.

6. Forces: Balanced and Unbalanced
Forces are needed to start or stop an object's motion, but can also be involved when an object is at rest or already traveling at constant velocity. In this video lesson, you'll identify the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces, understanding how they affect the movement of objects.

7. Net Force: Definition and Calculations
Because forces are vectors, we can't simply add them up to get a total amount of force on an object. Instead, we calculate the net force, which is important to understand because it tells us about an object's state of motion.

8. Friction: Definition and Types
You experience friction all the time, and you should be glad you do! Friction helps keep stationary objects in place as well as slow moving objects down as they slide across a surface. This lesson identifies what friction is and explains the two ways we find this force on earth.

9. The Normal Force: Definition and Examples
The normal force is also called the contact force because it only exists when objects are touching. In this lesson, we will investigate what the normal force is and how to calculate it on flat and inclined surfaces.

10. Inclined Planes in Physics: Definition, Facts, and Examples
If an object is not horizontal to the ground, it may be on an inclined plane. We need to adjust both the calculations and the free-body diagram when determining the net force on an object on an inclined plane. Learn how in this lesson.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the SAT Physics: Help and Review course
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- Electricity Concepts: Help and Review
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- The Atom in Physics: Help and Review
- Nuclear and Particle Physics: Help and Review
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