NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Bachelor in Secondary Education Program

Independent Learning Module (ILM) # 1

SES 4/ SEPH 4
(Fluid Mechanics)
A.Y. 2023~2024
Semester: 2nd

UNIT 1. REVIEW ON NEWTONIAN MECHANICS IN RELATION TO FLUID

TOPIC: Concept of Force
Learning Targets:
1. describe the fundamental principles of force;
2. explain how force affects the motion of an object;
3. differentiate net or unbalanced force from balanced force; and
4. distinguish between contact forces and field forces.
Reference/s:
Padua, A.& Crisostomo, R. Practical and Explorational Physics (Modular Approach). Vibal Publishing
House, Inc.2007
Sotto. R. Physics. SIBS Publishing House, Inc. 2006

LESSON PROPER

In physics, motion is defined as the change in position of an object in a given interval of time.
An object's motion with some mass can be described in terms of distance, displacement, speed,
velocity, time, and acceleration. For an object to set into motion, it requires a push or a pull.
Force is a push or a pull required to produce a change in the state of motion of an
object.

A. CHANGES IN MOTION
➢ Force causes an object at rest to start moving. Once an object is set into motion, force
can speed it up or slow it down. For example, the ball remains relatively at rest on the table.
When you push it using your finger, it is set into motion.
Illustration:
F Vf

Vi

➢ Force causes a moving object to stop. A moving object will maintain its motion unless
acted upon by a retarding force. For example, catching a ball or when brakes stop a car.
Illustration:
F1

F2

➢ Force causes a moving object to change its direction. An example is when a rolling
billiard ball collides with another ball, thus, bouncing off in another direction.
Illustration:

before collision

during collision

after collision

https://sites.google.com/site/billi
ardballsandphysics/the-collision
B. Force as Vector Quantity
Force is a vector quantity. You can push or pull an object in different directions. A force can
be described by its magnitude and the direction in which it acts. The SI unit of force is the
newton (N) or kg·m/s2. The common instrument for measuring force is the spring balance.
An arrow is used to represent a force vector.

Suppose a girl slides a box along

the floor. An arrow can be drawn to
represent the force applied and its
arrowhead indicates the direction. 20N
The amount of force exerted shows
the magnitude which is 20 N.

In the absence of force, objects at rest stay at rest, and objects in motion continue in motion.
More specifically, in the absence of a net force, objects do not change their state of motion.
For example, if you push an object at rest with equal and opposite forces on opposite sides, it
will remain at rest. The forces cancel each other out, and there is no net force. The net force is
zero when the two forces are equal, and they act in opposite directions. The combination of all
forces acting on an object is called the net force. These forces are said to be balanced forces. It
is the net force that changes an object's state of motion.

Illustration:

Net force = 5N - (3N + 2N) = 0

An unbalanced force, on the other hand, is a nonzero net force. It occurs when one
force is greater than its opposite force. Unbalanced object can cause an object to speed up, slow
down, stop, or change direction.

Illustration:

Net force = 6N - (3N + 2N) = 1N East or 1N to the right

C. Forces and Interaction

Force represents an object's interaction with its surroundings or between two bodies. When
you lean on a wall, switch on a light, or throw a piece of stone, you exert a force on the object. A
rope exerts a force on a load it carries. However, forces do not always cause motion. For example,
as you sit reading a book, the force of gravity acts on your body. Yet, you remain at rest. Also, if
you push on the side of a building and not move it.
Forces are involved in the activity above. These forces result from physical contact between
the objects involved, like the hand and the table, as in the case of the pushing of the table. Forces
that involve direct contact between two bodies are called contact forces. Another example is
when you push a door to open it; you exert a contact force on the door.
Contact forces:
a. Applied force is applied to an object by another object or by a person.
b. Normal force is the support force exerted upon an object which is in contact with another
stable object. It is sometimes referred to as pressing force.
c. Frictional force is exerted by a surface as an object moves across it.
Air resistance force is a special type of frictional force that acts upon objects as they travel
through the air.
 It is most noticeable for objects which travel at high speeds or for objects with large surface
area.
d. Tension force is transmitted through a string, rope, or wire when it is pulled tightly forces
acting at each end.
e. Force or gravity (Weight) is the force with which the earth, moon, or other massive body
attracts an object towards itself.

There are also forces that act through a distance. These non-contact forces are called field
forces, or action-at-a-distance forces. These forces do not involve physical contact between
two objects; rather, only their fields interact with one another. Gravitational force, magnetic
force, and electrical force are considered field forces.

The gravitational force is the weakest of

all forces in nature. We become aware of gravity
when we watch something fall to the ground, lift
a heavy object, or jumping over a fence.
This force is also at work in the motion of the
Sun, the planets, and other bodies in the
universe. For example, the moon is attracted to
Earth and maintains an orbit because of the
gravitational force although they are not
physically in contact with each other.

Another kind of field between two charges

is the electrical force. A very common
illustration of this force is when a comb is
rubbed against the hair and then placed near
bits of paper. The small pieces of paper appear
to jump and cling to the comb. This is due to
the comb’s electric field.

https://fphoto.photoshelter.com/image/I0000g7
UCgqZjY.k

Some objects are pulled towards a

magnet and yet they are not in
physical contact with one another. This
attraction between the object and the
magnet is called magnetic force.

https://www.123rf.com/photo_58604188_business-concept-magnet-attract-
spheres.html

Supplemental videos: (kindly watch)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6mi1-YoRT4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGwBZTWySWk