Topic 4: Forces

Hooke's Law states that within the limits of proportionalitv. the magnitude of the force F
applied to an elastic spring or body is proportionalto its displacementr.

or

lim't of
When a body is deformed elasticall, elastic
potential energy (EPE) is stored in it. The
amount of EPE stored can be determined by
calculating the area under the Force -
stored EPF Extension graph.

lf deformation is fromn = 0, then

rt x2
l. _: 1
Force - extension Raaoh :
FPE rk\' tr \

Forces due to fields

Gravitational Electric Magnetic

qodyj'{e9!e4_ maSs electric charge
Magninude of force F=-g F=qE
Definition of field The gravitational force The electric force per
per unit mass exerted uflit positive charge
on any body placed at exerted on any body
that point. placed at that point-
Direction ln the direction of the ve charge: opposite
gravitationalfield. direction of elecJri.
field.
electric charge
*F : Bqv
*The magnetic force per unit
positive charge per unit
speed at !gb!3!gles to the
field, exerted on any body
placed at that point.
to Perpendicular to both the
magnetic field and the
velocity (as determined
using Fleming's left-hand
rule).

+ve charge: in the

direction of the electric
field- . I
\J,,',
- +{+ )-r--

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Pressute (also known as stress)

ot P:hgg+P.h
Due to a column of fluid of
I'eight, and densityp

(Poh = atmospheric pressure)

Frictional vs viscous forces

Viscous force is the equivalence of friction in fluids -just like friction, it resists relative motion.

direction ofmotion

,,,:,,onf --l,ou*n,uu"."

The magnitude of the frictional force between the body and the surface is proportional to the
weieht of the bodv {not the area of contact!).

The magnitude of the viscous force acting on a body as it travels through a fluid is directlv
related to its velocitv. (Relationship between viscous force and velocity will be given in the
qLlestion if you are expected to perform calculations.)

Note: if an object is moving with constant velocitv over a rough horizontal surface, net force
acting on the ob.iect must be zero. This doesnot necessarily mean that no external force acts
on the object - at simply means that the net external force is equal to the friction between the
object and the surface the object is on! This is a consequence of Newton's First Law.

Moment of a force or toraue

The moment of a force ortorque about an axis (of rotation) is the product ofthe force and the
perpendicular distance from the line of action oJ the force to the axis.

The torque of a couple is given by:

. ,1/oemendicular distance r
torque [one force) . 1

\ betwem the lorces J

2lPase
 Eouilibrium of Forces
pivot
Equilibrium of Forces ,4
,r''
Ttanslational Equilibriunl Rotational Equtlibrium

:- rh-j' The sum of the . The sllo of clockwise

components of allthe torques about any
forces (in any point is equalto the
direction) is zero. sum of anticlockwise
2 forces: they must be torques about that
equalin maqnitude same Point.
and opposite in
direction. * when calculating the
3 forces:
their vector torque (force xldistance)
5Um must be zero (or make sure the distance
form a closed triangle). used is corre.t!

Vector sum of
forceg
Effecl
torques
No linear acceleration; no rotation
2ero
i.e. body remajn at rest or move at its original constant velocitv
not zero No linear acceleration; rotation happens
not zero Linear acceleration no rotation
not zero not zero Linear acceleration; rotation happens

Tvpical aoproach to solvine Forces (in Equiljbrium) questjons

Step 1: lsolate the object and draw FBD
Step 2l Resolve the the forces into its perpendicular components usually the x and y axes.
* plane-choose the direction along and perpen dicu lar to the inclined.
For inclined
Step 3: Solve using the equation for rotational equilibrium
* When unsure what point to take as the pivot, it is often helpfulto choose a point
where most number ofthe unknown forces pass through-
Step 4: Solve using the equations for translational equilibrium

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