Force

Objective – To be able to describe

some common forces and apply
F=ma to a range of examples
 Starter
1) What is the definition of 1 Newton?
2) Why can’t the formula F=ma be used without
a correction for very fast-moving objects?
3) A car has a mass of kg. It accelerates from
rest to 27 ms-1 in 5.4 s. Calculate the resultant
force acting on the car.
4) If an object of mass 800g has two 20N forces
acting perpendicularly on it, what will be the
magnitude of its acceleration?
 Force, mass and acceleration
Net or resultant force (N) = mass (kg) x acceleration (ms-2)

F=ma

It is very important that you use the resultant force for this
formula.
The object will accelerate in the direction of the resultant
force.

1 Newton is equal to the force that would give a mass of 1 kg

an acceleration of 1ms-2 in the direction of the force.
 Some common forces
• Discuss on your tables and try to come up with
a description for each of the forces on the
sheet
 Provide definitions of the forces in the table below
Force Description
Weight

Air resistance

Drag

Aerodynamic lift

Upthrust

Tension

Normal reaction
Force Description
Weight The force that gravity puts on a mass placed in a gravitational
field
A resistive force that acts in the opposite direction to the
Air resistance motion of an object through air. Caused by the air molecules
having to move out of the way of the object
Any resistive force as an object moves through a fluid. Air
Drag resistance is an example of drag
The upward force you get on, for example, an aeroplane wing
Aerodynamic lift caused by the difference in pressure above and below it
A force that acts on an object placed in a fluid. Equal to the
Upthrust weight of the fluid displaced
The force that strings, ropes, chains etc. apply to objects that
Tension try to stretch them
A contact force that surfaces apply to objects placed on them.
Normal reaction Always acts at 900 to the surface
 Practice question 1
• Two forces act on the body pictured, F1 and F2.
When F1=40N and F2=20N the body
accelerates with a=0.3ms-2. What will its
acceleration be when F1=40N and F2=0?

Answer: a=0.6 ms-2

 Practice question 2

• If an object of mass 800g has two 20N forces

acting perpendicularly on it, what will be the
magnitude of its acceleration?

Acceleration is 35ms-2 (2 s.f.s)

Questions - 1
Questions – 2
Answers