MODULE NO.

: 7 Teacher: Nelson Cossa

Subject: Physics Class: Grade 8

International School Parent’s Signature: _______ DATE: 08-12/05-2023

TOPIC: Effects of forces

Objectives:
- Determine the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same straight line

- Describe the moment of a force as a measure of its turning effect and give everyday examples

- Define the moment of a force as moment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot; recall
and use this equation

- Apply the principle of moments to situations with one force each side of the pivot, including
balancing of a beam

- State that, when there is no resultant moment, an object is in equilibrium

Force
Force is a push or pull upon an object. Force is denoted by "F" and its SI unit is Newton
(N).

Forces as vectors

Force is a vector quantity because it describes both magnitude and direction.

 The length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the force;

 The direction of the arrow indicates the direction of the force.
 Figure 2: A free body diagram of an object with two forces acting on it

Resultant Forces

A resultant force is a single force that describes all of the forces operating on a body.

When many forces are applied to an object they can be combined (added) to
produce one final force which describes the combined action of all of the force.

This single resultant force determines:

o The direction in which the object will move as a result of all of the forces;

o The magnitude of the final force experienced by the object.

 The resultant force is sometimes called the net force.

 Resultant forces can be calculated by adding or subtracting all of the forces
acting on the object

o Forces working in opposite directions are subtracted from each other

o Forces working in the same direction are added together

 If the forces acting in opposite directions are equal in size, then there will be no
resultant force – the forces are said to be balanced.

Figure 3: Calculating resultant forces

As well as causing objects to speed up, slow down, change direction and deform, forces can
also cause objects to rotate. An example of a rotation caused by a force is on one side of a
pivot (a fixed point that the object can rotate around). This rotation can be clockwise or
anticlockwise.
 Figure 1: Rotation caused by a force is on one side of a pivot

A moment is defined as the turning effect of a force about a pivot.

The size of a moment is defined by the equation:

M=F×d

Where:

M = moment in newton metres (Nm)

F = force in newtons (N)

d = perpendicular distance of the force to the pivot in metres (m)

Figure 2: Moment of a force and perpendicular distance to the pivot.

The Principle of Moments

The principle of moments states that:

If an object is balanced (in equilibrium), the total clockwise moment about a pivot equals the
total anticlockwise moment about that pivot

Remember that the moment = force × distance from a pivot

The forces should be perpendicular to the distance from the pivot. For example, on a
horizontal beam, the forces which will cause a moment are those directed upwards or
downwards

MODULE NO.: 07 Teacher: Nelson Cossa

Subject: Physics 8 DATE: 08-12/05-2023

International School Parent’s Signature: _______ Marks: ...............

TOPIC: EXERCISES about Effects of Forces

1. The forces acting on the objects are shown below.

For each of A, B, C and D.

a) Say whether the forces are balanced or unbalanced

b) If the forces are unbalanced, calculate the resultant force on the object and give its
direction

2. The figure shows the vertical forces on a rocket.

Calculate the resultant force of the rocket and state at which direction will the force
act.

3. Which of these objects needs a turning force to work?

Tick (✓) all that apply.

4. A spanner will turn a nut. The nut needs a moment of 40 Nm to turn. The spanner is
0.2 m long.

Calculate the force that must be exerted on the spanner.

5. The figure below shows a uniform metre rule, weight W, pivoted at the 75 cm mark
and balanced by a force of 2 N acting at the 95 cm mark. Find the weight W that
will balance the system.