FORCES
FORCE
A force is a push or pull that acts on an object due to the
interaction with another object.
Forces can change the direction that objects are moving
in, and change their shape.
Force is measured using newtonmeter ( also called
spring balance)
All forces are measured in newtons ( N ).
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORCE
All forces between two objects are either:
Contact forces – the objects are physically touching. E.g.,
Friction and air resistance. Support forces like upthrust are
also contact forces.
Non-contact forces – The objects are physically separated.
E.g., Gravity. The forces between magnets are also non-
contact force.
INTERACTION PAIRS
SQUASHING AND STRETCHING
Forces can compress (squash) or stretch
objects. When we exert a force we can
deform the object. We can compress it or
stretch it.
The floor pushes up on us when we stand on
it.
FLOOR PUSHING US UP
STRETCHING
Bungee
cords, springs, lift cables all stretch
when we exert force on them.
Theamount that they stretch is called the
extension.
A bungee cord stretches as the jumper falls.
When the bungee cord has stretched as far as it
will go, it pulls her back up. This force is called
tension.
STRETCHING A SPRING
ELASTIC LIMIT
At some point the spring will not go back to
its original length when you remove the
force. This is the elastic limit.
Trampoline springs are designed to never
go past their elastic limit.
FRICTION
Friction is defined as the resistance offered by
the surface that are in contact when they move
past each other.
Friction is needed to walk without slipping
The brakes in bike and car work because of
friction.
Friction can be reduced by using oil or grease,
called lubrication.
DRAG FORCES
Water resistance and air resistance are drag
forces.
Parachutesare used to slow down drag-racing
cars and skydivers. The contact with the air
produces a drag force.
An Olympic cyclist will tuck her arms in close to
her body as she cycles. She will even be sure to
keep her thumbs as close to the handlebars as
possible.
Thismakes her more streamlined, which reduces
the force of air resistance.
MAGNETIC AND ELECTROSTATIC FORCE
FIELD
WEIGHT AND MASS
Newtonmeter is used to find the weight of an
apple.
The Earth pulls the apple downwards.
Measuring the weight of the apple means
measuring the force of the Earth on it.
Weight is a force so it is measured in newtons
(N). Mass is he amount of stuff something is
made up of.
Itis a measure of how hard it is to get something
to move. Mass is measured in kilograms (kg).
GRAVITATIONAL FIELD STRENGTH
BALANCED FORCE
UNBALANCED FORCE
UNBALANCED FORCE CHANGES SPEED
UNBALANCED FORCES CHANGES DIRECTION
