Force and Pressure - Class 8 (Detailed Notes)
1. Force
• A push or pull acting on an object is called Force.
• Effects of Force:
• Can change the state of motion (start, stop, accelerate, decelerate).
• Can change the shape or size of an object.
• Can change the direction of a moving object.
• Types of Forces:
• Contact Forces:
• • Muscular Force – Applied by our muscles (e.g., pushing a cart).
• Frictional Force – Opposes motion between two surfaces.
• Non-contact Forces:
• • Magnetic Force – Attraction/repulsion between magnets.
• Electrostatic Force – Force between charged bodies.
• Gravitational Force – Attraction by Earth on all objects.
2. Pressure
• The force exerted per unit area is called Pressure.
• Formula: Pressure = Force / Area
• Applications of Pressure:
• Knives have sharp edges (small area → large pressure).
• Porters use turbans to increase area → less pressure on head.
• Camels have broad feet → less pressure on sand.
3. Pressure in Fluids
• Liquids and gases exert pressure in all directions.
• Pressure in liquids increases with depth.
• Pascal’s Law: Pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted equally in all directions.
• Applications of Fluid Pressure:
• Dam walls are made thicker at the bottom.
• Hydraulic brakes, hydraulic lift work on Pascal’s law.
4. Atmospheric Pressure
• Air exerts pressure in all directions.
• At sea level, atmospheric pressure ≈ 1.01 × 10■ Pa.
• Applications of Atmospheric Pressure:
• Straws – liquid rises due to air pressure.
• Suction cups stick due to absence of air inside.
• Vacuum-sealed containers are tightly packed due to atmospheric pressure.
