Focus on the BIG Ideas
Physicists investigate the laws that govern space, time, forces, motion, matter, and energy. Newton's laws of motion describe the relationship between the forces acting on a body and its motion. The motion of objects is governed by four universal forces: gravitational forces, electromagnetic forces, strong nuclear forces, and weak nuclear forces.
Energy is defined as the ability to do work. The amount of energy in the universe is constant, and energy is conserved within any closed system. However, energy can change between many different forms of kinetic energy and potential energy. The total potential and kinetic energy of all the microscopic particles in an object make up its thermal energy. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another because of a temperature difference.
▲ Vasco da Gama Bridge The Vasco da Gama Bridge spans the water at Lisbon, Portugal. Large ships can pass under the bridge to reach the port.
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