Forces

Force
Forces (symbol F) are a push, pull or twist that can change the speed, direction or shape of an object. Has a size (measured in newtons, N) and direction. Forces can be either contact or non-contact.
Contact: push, friction, support, thrust, drag Non-contact: magnetic, electrostatic, gravitational force (weight)

Force diagrams show all forces as arrows

From centre of object in the direction of force Length represents size of force

Force
Forces (symbol F) are a push, pull or twist that can change the speed, direction or shape of an object. Units: newtons, N Arrows are used to show size (length) and direction of force

Net Force
Net force (Fnet) combined effect of all forces
Forces in the same direction add together Forces in opposite directions subtract

Balanced forces (Fnet = 0 N) equal AND opposite

No acceleration
Stationary object remains stationary Moving object moves with same speed and direction

Unbalanced forces (Fnet 0 N)

Object accelerates
Stationary object begins to move Moving object will change its speed and/or direction

 Newtons Second Law of Motion:

Size of acceleration depends on the net force and mass of the object. Force (N) = mass (kg) x acceleration (ms-2) F = ma
A 1.5 kg ball is kicked and accelerates at 4 ms-2. What force was exerted on the ball? A 10 kg shopping trolley is pushed with 50 N of force. What is its acceleration? What is the mass of a ball that accelerated at 10 ms-2 after being thrown with 20 N of force?

 Newtons Second Law of Motion:

Size of acceleration depends on the net force and mass of the object. Force (N) = mass (kg) x acceleration (ms-2) F = ma
A 1.5 kg ball is kicked and accelerates at 4 ms-2. What force was exerted on the ball? F = ma F = 1.5 x 4 = 6 N A 10 kg shopping trolley is pushed with 50 N of force. What is its acceleration? a = F/m a = 50/10 = 5 ms-2 What is the mass of a ball that accelerated at 10 ms-2 after being thrown with 20 N of force? m = F/a m = 20/10 = 2 kg

ESA study guide

P164 11A
2012 exam: Q 1b, 1c

Weight a minute
Mass is the amount of material of an object
Units: kg or g. Mass stays same wherever object is

Weight is the force with which the object pushes down on what it is resting on
Caused by gravity Units: N Weight changes in different gravitational fields

Weight = mass x acceleration due to gravity W = mg m = mass in kg g = 10 N kg-1

Example
An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg. What is his weight on earth? The moons gravity is about 1/6 as strong as on earth (1.67 N kg-1). What would his weight be on the moon?

Example
An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg. What is his weight on earth? W = mg W = 80 kg x 10 N kg-1 = 800 N The moons gravity is about 1/6 as strong as on earth (1.67 N kg-1). What would his weight be on the moon? W = mg W = 80 kg x 1.67 N kg-1 = 134 N

Friction
Reaction force created when two surfaces slide past each other. In the direction opposite to objects motion Helpful friction: bike tires grip road, how parachutes work Problematic: air resistance slows vehicles down, wears machinery out Reduced by: lubrication with oil, wheels or ball-bearings, streamlined shapes to reduce air resistance

Air resistance and terminal velocity

A dropped object initially falls downwards faster and faster (acceleration due to gravity = 10 ms-2), net force = downward On earth, air resistance increases as object moves faster, so net downwards force gets smaller. Eventually, gravity force is balanced by air resistance net force = 0 N. Object continues to fall at speed when forces balanced. Called terminal speed.

 ESA Study Guide Activity 11C on P170 Blue Book P 35, P37 contd Exam 2012 Q 3a

Pressure
Force per unit of area acting on a surface Pressure is inversely related to the area of contact (i.e. dependent on contact size)
Same force over smaller area creates more pressure on surface. E.g. boots with sprigs have more pressure dig in and give better grip Same force over larger area creates less pressure on surface. E.g. snowboard reduces pressure dont sink in snow

 Pressure from gasses and liquids is experienced in all directions as freely moving molecules bombard surface Air pressure: pressure exerted by weight of air on object reduces with altitude Water pressure: pressure exerted by weight of water on object increases with depth

Calculating pressure, force and area

Pressure (P) created by a force (F) acting on an area (A) is given by:

units: newtons per square meter, N m-2 or pascals, Pa E.g What is the pressure of snowboarder (combined mass of 67 kg) on the snow, if the snowboard has surface area of 0.338 m2 in contact with the snow?