Terminal Velocity – When an object falling through a fluid (like air) reaches a constant speed because the downward gravitational force is balanced by the upward drag and buoyant force. No more acceleration!
Pivot – A fixed point around which an object rotates. Think of a seesaw—its center is the pivot!
Buoyancy – The upward force exerted by a fluid on an object, helping it float. This is why ships stay afloat and balloons rise in the air!
Moment – A measure of turning effect around a pivot, calculated as force × perpendicular distance from pivot. Used in levers and door hinges!
Momentum vs. Moment – Momentum is mass × velocity (how much motion an object has), while moment is force × distance (how much turning force an object has). Momentum is linear, moment is rotational!
Newton’s Third Law & Buoyancy – The reason objects experience an upward force in a fluid is due to Newton’s Third Law: the displaced fluid pushes back with an equal and opposite force!
Equilibrium & Moments – If the total clockwise moment equals the total anticlockwise moment, an object stays balanced. This is why cranes and bridges are carefully designed to distribute forces properly.
What factors affect the terminal velocity of an object falling through a fluid?
Can you explain why a skydiver reaches terminal velocity and what happens if they change their body position?
How does the terminal velocity of an object vary with its shape and surface area?
How is buoyant force related to Archimedes' principle?
Why do objects float, sink, or remain suspended in a fluid?
Can you calculate the buoyant force acting on an object submerged in water based on its volume and the density of the fluid?
How is the moment of a force calculated, and what factors influence its value?
What is the principle of moments, and how is it applied in real-life situations like balancing a seesaw?
How does the concept of the center of gravity relate to the moment of force?
What is the law of conservation of momentum, and how can it be demonstrated with a collision?
How does impulse relate to momentum, and what is the significance of the impulse-momentum theorem?
Why is momentum a vector quantity, and how does its direction affect motion?
keywords
Force
Torque
Fulcrum
Lever arm
Rotational effect
Principle of moments
Center of gravity
Mass
Velocity
Impulse
Conservation of momentum
Collision
Vector quantity
Impulse-momentum theorem
Archimedes' principle
Buoyant force
Displacement
Density
Fluid pressure
Upthrust
Submerged volume