SCIENCE 8 QUARTER 1, MODULE 2: LAWS OF MOTION

MEN BEHIND FORCES

1. Aristotle - believed that a moving object needs a continuous application of force to keep it moving.
2. John Philoponus - first introduced “Theory of Impetus”, a concept similar to force.
3. Jean Buridan - further developed the “Theory of Impetus”; later named impetus as force.
4. Galileo Galilei - disagreed to Aristotle. He claimed that even without a continuous application of force, an
object can continue to move with constant speed in a straight line provided there are no outside forces acting on
it.
5. Isaac Newton - used Galileo’s ideas and eventually formulated the three laws of motion.

THREE LAWS OF MOTION

1. Law of Inertia - states that, “an object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move at
constant velocity unless acted upon by a net force.” The tendency of an object to maintain its state of rest or of
uniform velocity in a straight line is called inertia. Mass measures the inertia of an object.

Example 1: A marathon runner is unable to stop running immediately after he has crossed the finish line.
Example 2: When a car moves abruptly, the passengers feel a jerk that pulls them backwards.

2. Law of Acceleration - states that “the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting
on it and is inversely proportional to the object’s mass. The direction of the acceleration is in the direction of the
net force acting on the object.” Newton’s second law of motion is expressed through the equation: F = m x a,
where F is force, m is mass and a is acceleration. Formulae to use: F = m x a; m = F / a and a = F / m.

Example 1: Find the force of an object with 8 kg and 3 m/s².

Given: m = 8 kg Find: F Solution: F = m x a
a = 3 m/s2 = 8 kg x 3 m/s2 = 24 N
Example 2: What is the acceleration of a 50 kg object pushed with a force of 500 Newtons?
Given: m = 50 kg Find: a Solution: a = F / m
F = 500 N = 500 N / 50 kg = 10 m/s2
Example 3: Find the mass of an object with 10 N and 1 m/s2.
Given: F = 10 N Find: m Solution: m = F / a
a = 1 m/s2 = 10 N / 1 m/s2 = 10 kg

3. Law of Interaction - states that “for every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction.” Always
remember that in this law, forces always come in pairs. These are called action and reaction forces, and they do
not act on the same body.

Example 1: Swimming or rowing a boat: When swimming or rowing a boat, you have to push the water backward
in order to move forward. The generated in the backward direction gives an and opposite reaction in the forward
direction. The more you push back the more you move forwards.
Example 2: Walking: While we walk, we apply a force in the backward direction, and in response, the friction
provides an equal and opposite force which helps us to move forward.
Example 3: Punching an object: When we punch an object or kick something, the object may break due to our
force which is an action. But we also a get a force onto our hands and legs as a reaction force. That is why you
feel pain after slapping someone or punching a wall.