Basic Definitions in Physics | Matter, Mass, Weight, Force, Motion, Distance etc

 

Here are some basic definitions in Physics that we are trying to understand it. 

These definitions are:

• ·         Matter
• ·         Mass
• ·         Weight
• ·         Force
• ·         Motion
• ·         Distance
• ·         Displacement
• ·         Velocity
• ·         Acceleration
• ·         Work
• ·         Energy
• ·         Power

Now let’s to define that basic terms:

What is Matter?

Anything that has mass and takes up space is called matter

System International Unit: Rather not Specific

Example

water, air, iron, wood etc.

What is Mass?

The amount of matter contained in a substance or an object is called its mass

System International Unit:  KG

 

Example

 an apple, a car, in other words we can say that anything on earth even in space has some mass

What is Weight?

The force with which a body is attracted towards the center of the Earth is called its weight

System International Unit: Newton (N)

Example

just like the mass examples that, an apple has mass an it is attracted by the gravity so it would also have weight. Similarly a person also has weight due to attraction of gravity. A car, a planet etc.

What is Force?

A push or a pull on an object is called force

System International Unit: Newton (N)

Example

forces may be of many kinds such as frictional force, gravitational force or in simple we can say that a person when hit the football then the action that is taken on the football by the person is the force.

What is Motion?

The change in position of an object with time is called motion

System International Unit: meter per second

 

Example

a moving car, a ball thrown in air, falling leaf etc.

What is Distance?

The total path covered by an object to reach its destination

System International Unit: meter (m)

 

Example

 if you travel 10 KM from one place to another place, the distance you covered is 10 km.

What is Displacement?

The shortest path taken by an object to reach its destination

System International Unit: meter (m)

 

 

Example

if you travel 10 KM from one place to another place, but if you only travel 5 km and reach at your destination, then your displacement will be 5 km.

What is Velocity?

The rate of change of displacement of an object with time is called its velocity

System International Unit: meter per second

 

Example

A person walking at 5 kilometers per hour towards the north: The velocity of the person is 5 kilometers per hour towards the north.

What is Acceleration?

The rate of change of velocity of an object with time is called its acceleration

System International Unit: meter per Second Square

Example

 A car accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6 seconds: The car's acceleration is 10 miles per hour per second.

What is Work?

The product of force and displacement is called work

System International Unit: joule

 

Example

lifting a box from the ground then work is done by the person.

What is Energy?

 The capacity to do work is called energy

System International Unit: joule

 

Example

kinetic energy of a car, potential energy of water etc.

What is Power?

The rate at which work is done is called power

System International Unit: watt

 

Example

An electric motor that outputs 2 horsepower: The motor can do work at a rate of 2 horsepower or 1.5 kilowatts.