Topic 5 – Forces and their Effects.

Important Formulae
Types of Forces Pushing force, pulling force & turning force. Forces can change the speed of something, the direction it is Speed = distance travelled ÷ time taken
moving in or its shape. Unit: meter per second (m/s)
Force Diagrams We can show the forces acting on an object using a force diagram. The arrow shows the size of the force (the
longer the arrow, the bigger the force) and the direction in which the force acts.
Moment = size of force x distance of force
from the fulcrum
Newton The unit of force (N), measured using a force meter, also called a newton meter. Unit: newton meters (Nm)
Weight The weight of an object is the gravitational force between the object and the Earth. The more mass the object
has the greater its weight will be. Weight is a force and is therefore measured in newtons (N).
Gravity All objects have a force that attracts them towards each other. This is called gravity.
Mass The mass of an object is the amount of matter it contains. It is measured in kilograms (kg).
Newton’s Third Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When an object exerts a force on something else its is called
Law of Motion an action force. There is always an equal and opposite force called a reaction force.
Hooke's Law The extension of an elastic object is directly proportional to the force applied to it.
Elastic Limit When a material is stretched or compressed too far and it is not able to return to it’s original shape the
stretching or compressing force is beyond the elastic limit.
Friction Force that resists one object moving through or over something. An example is air resistance on a car. Describe the forces:
Lubricant A substance, such as grease or oil, that reduces friction when applied as a surface coating to moving parts. • There is a force of air resistance which
slows the arrow down.
Air Resistance A force of friction produced when an object moves through the air. • Gravity/the weight of the arrow makes the
Water Resistance A force of friction produced when an object moves through the water. Water is denser than air so the ‘drag’ is arrow fall to the ground.
larger.
Terminal Velocity The max speed of an object, reached when the forces moving the object are balanced by its frictional forces.
Streamlined An object that has a special smooth shape to reduce the air resistance acting on them.
Balanced Forces If the forces on an object are balanced, an object that is not moving stays still and an object that is moving
continues to move at the same speed and in the same direction.
Unbalanced Forces If the forces on an object are unbalanced, an object that is not moving starts to move and an object that is
moving changes speed or direction.
Moment A moment is the turning effect of a force around a fixed point called a pivot, measured in newton meters.
Lever A large load can be moved by a smaller effort using a lever, for example pliers or crowbar. The crane has a counterweight on the non-
Fulcrum The point where the load is pivoted. lifting end this allows the crane to lift heavy
loads safely. The counterweight moves
Load The object you are trying to move. further from the tower when the crane is
Effort The force applied to move the load. lifting a heavy load.