IB Physics Sub-topic A2 Definitions

This page contains our IB Physics definitions for sub-topic A2. By learning each one of these definitions, you will fully cover the content for IB Physics 'Forces & momentum'.
Angular velocity

It is the angle travelled per unit time

Centripetal acceleration

It is the acceleration of an object towards the center of the circle during uniform circular motion

Centripetal force

It is the force that causes centripetal acceleration

dynamic friction

The force exerted to stop a moving surface from moving

electrostatic force

The force between two electrically charged objects

equilibrium

The state of all forces on an object being balanced and cancelling out to zero

friction force

The force a surface parallely exerts to counteract another surface's motion

gravitational force

It is the attractive force exerted by an object's mass on another object

impulse

It is the change of momentum

magnetic force

The force between two magnetic objects

momentum

It is the product of mass and velocity

Period

It is the time required to complete one rotation

reaction force

The force a surface perpendicularly exerts on an object due to its weight

static friction

The force exerted to stop another resting surface from moving

tension force

The force a spring, rope, or cable exerts along its length in both directions to another object

Uniform circular motion

The motion of an object in a circle at a constant speed

Great Work!

You have now covered all of our topic 1 definitions for IB physics.
Now that you have completed these IB physics topic 1 definitions, dive into our topic 1 videos for the IB physics course.
IB physics topic 1 videos

Explored IB Physics?

Get stuck into one of our other subjects!
Join 85,000 students, across 130+ countries, in 500+ IB schools. That's half of the IB science graduates worldwide.
Start a 7d free trial