GIC(Pre-IGCSE) Tr Moe (Physics)

Unit-1
Forces
Introduction to forces
What is a force?
A force is a push or pull that can change the shape of an object, or change the way that it
moves.
gravitational force
The gravitational force, or force of gravity, is the force that attracts you to the Earth.
Weight
On Earth, the force of gravity on an object is called the object’s weight. This force acts
towards the centre of the Earth.
electrostatic force
This force acts between objects that are charged, charged they can attract or repel other
charged objects.
magnetic force
Magnets attract magnetic materials such as iron, steel, or nickel. There is a magnetic
force between the magnet and the magnetic material.
Friction
When any object slides across a surface, the force of friction tries to stop it moving.
Drag
Air resistance is a force that acts on any object moving through the air. Water
resistance acts on any object moving through water. Both air resistance and water
resistance are types of drag.
Thrust
In a car or plane, a force called thrust pushes the vehicle forwards.
Upthrust
If an object is floating, the water is pushing it up. This push is a force called upthrust.
GIC(Pre-IGCSE) Tr Moe (Physics)
Tension
If you pull something with a rope, there is a force called tension in the rope.
Forcemeter
A device for measuring forces is called a forcemeter.
Friction
Friction is a force that slows down moving objects.
Lubrication
Cyclists put oil on the axles of their bicycle to reduce friction. This is called lubrication.
Gravity
There is a force between all objects called the force of gravity. This force is pulling you
down towards the centre of the Earth.
The size of the force of gravity between two objects depends on:
● the mass of the two objects ● how far apart they are.
weight
The force of the Earth’s gravity on an object is called its weight. Weight is a force so it is
measured in newtons (N)
Mass
Mass is related to the amount of matter in an object and it is measured in kilogram (kg).
Gravitational field
There is a gravitational field around all objects. A gravitational field is a region where a
mass experiences a force. On Earth the gravitational field strength is 10 newtons
per kilogram (N/kg).
Write down equation of weight.
Weight,(N) = mass,(kg) × gravitational field strength, (N/kg)
Air resistance
When an object moves through air, there is a force on it called air resistance. It is a form
of friction that slows things down. Air resistance is less if the area in contact with the air
is reduced.
GIC(Pre-IGCSE) Tr Moe (Physics)

Streamlining
Streamlining reduces air resistance by changing the flow of air over a car or plane.
Elastic object
When an applied force is removed from a body, the ability to retain to its original form,
such an object is called elastic object.
Elastic limit
If you keep loading more and more on, eventually the spring will not return to its original
length when you remove the force. It has reached its limit, called the elastic limit.
Upthrust
When the oil tanker is in the water there is a force pushing up on it called upthrust.
Anomalous point
One point was far away from the line in graph. This is called an anomalous point.

Notes
Different types of force
- gravitational force
- electrostatic force
- magnetic force
- Friction
- Drag
- Thrust
Weight, electrostatic force, magnetic force, friction, air resistance, water resistance,
thrust, upthrust, and tension are all types of force.
❖ Forces can change the direction of a moving object, speed it up, or slow it down.
❖ Forces are measured in newtons using a spring balance.
❖ Forces are balanced if they cancel each other out. They are unbalanced if they do
not cancel out.
GIC(Pre-IGCSE) Tr Moe (Physics)
❖ An object stays still or moves at a steady speed if the forces on it are balanced.
❖ Unbalanced forces change the speed or direction of a moving object.
❖ The force of friction slows things down.
❖ You can reduce friction by lubrication or by using ball-bearings.
❖ The force of gravity is different on every planet
❖ The more massive the planet, the larger the force of gravity.
❖ If you could visit different planets your weight would change, but your mass
would stay the same.
❖ There is a force of gravity on the Moon, but it is about one-sixth as strong as on
Earth.
❖ The force of gravity on an object on Earth is called its weight. It depends on
the mass.
❖ Weight is a force, measured in newtons
❖ Mass is the amount of matter, measured in kilograms.
❖ The force of gravity is different on different planets or on the Moon.
❖ Air resistance depends on the speed of the object and its area in contact with the
air.
❖ The shape of streamlined objects reduces air or water resistance.
❖ Objects fall at terminal velocity when their weight is balanced by air resistance
❖ A parachute reduces the terminal velocity so a skydiver can land safely.
❖ The extension is proportional to the force.
❖ Springs, ropes, and elastic materials have a tension in them when stretched.
❖ The extension is proportional to the tension, up to the elastic limit.
❖ Springs in tension pull back.
❖ Objects float when the upthrust equals the weight.
❖ The Earth and other planets orbit the Sun
❖ A force that keeps an object moving in a circle is called a centripetal force
❖ The Moon orbits the Earth – it is a natural satellite.
❖ The centripetal force that keeps the Moon and satellites in orbit around the Earth is
the force of gravity.
❖ Planets, moons, and satellites stay in orbit because of gravity.
❖ The force that keeps something moving in a circle is the centripetal force.
❖ The centripetal force can be provided by forces such as gravity, friction, or
tension.
❖ Planets, moons, and satellites stay in orbit because of gravity.
GIC(Pre-IGCSE) Tr Moe (Physics)
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GIC(Pre-IGCSE) Tr Moe (Physics)