FORCES
Page 4
What is a force?
A force is a push or pull that can change the shape of an object, speed or change
the way that it moves (direction)
You cannot see forces but you can see what they do. If something starts to move,
or speeds up, a force is acting on it.
Forces can also slow things down or stop them moving. If an object is already
moving, a force can also change the direction of motion.
Force arrows
You can show the force acting on an object by drawing an arrow.
The length of the arrow shows the size of the force. The direction of the arrow
shows the direction of the force.
Different types of forces:
-Gravitational forces act between any objects that have mass.
On Earth, this force is called the object's weight. This force acts
towards the centre of the Earth. It always pulls you 'down'.
-Magnetic forces act between magnets, and between magnets and magnetic
materials such as iron, steel, or nickel.
Page 5
-Friction acts when solid surfaces are in contact. The force of friction acts to stop
objects moving.
-Air resistance and water resistance act on objects moving through air and water.
They are types of drag. The moving object collides with the particles in the air or
the water, and the collisions slow it down.
-Thrust pushes a car or plane forwards.
-Upthrust is the upward force on an object that is in contact with a fluid. It is the
force pushing up on any floating object.
-Reaction is the force that pushes object up in reaction to it’s weight.
Measuring forces
You can measure the size of a force.
A device for measuring forces is called a forcemeter, such as a spring
balance. Forces are measured in units called newtons (N).
1. The force of gravity:
There is a force of attraction between all objects that have mass, 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.
Page 6
Weight and mass:
Weight is a force, It is measured in newtons (N).
Mass is the amount of matter in an object, it is measured in kilograms (kg).
The force of gravity depends on the mass of the objects involved, so it is different
on different planets. The more massive the planet, the larger the force of gravity.
Gravitational field strength
This is a region where a mass experiences a force.
On the Earth the gravitational field strength is 10 newtons per kilogram (N/kg)
Weight (N)= mass (kg) x gravitational field strength (N/kg)
*Gravitational field strength decreases as you move away from a Planet.
2. Upthrust:
In the water a force called upthrust pushes up on the boat. The upthrust balances
the weight so the boat floats.
Water particles collide with the bottom of the boat; they
push the boat up.
A large area produces a big force that can balance a big
weight.
Page 7
Density
Is the mass per unit volume this means that the density of any solid, liquid or gas.
Density of object can be found by dividing its mass in kilograms by its volume in
cubic meters.
Density can be found using the equation:
Kg Mass (Kg)
Density =
m3 Volume (m3)
Mass
The amount of the matter in the object.
A balance ( also balance scale , beam balance , or laboratory balance ) is used to
measure the mass of an object .
Volume
is the space in which object occupies.
A- Measuring the volume of liquids
Use measuring cylinder to measure the volume of liquid.
Page 8
B. Measuring the volume of irregular solid
Density of irregular shaped solid
a. Calculate the mass of the stone using balance scale.
b. Add water in measuring cylinder and measure the volume ( V1 )
c. Add the stone onto the cylinder and measure its volume ( V2 )
d. Measure the increasing in volume.
e. V = V2 – V1
C. Measuring the volume of regular solid
Page 9
Density of regular shape
a. Measure the three dimensions of each regular object, repeating each
measurement at two or more places. Depending on the size of the
measurement, use the ruler.
b. Calculate the volume, V , of the object .
c. Measure the mass , m , of the object , using the balance .
d. Calculate the density , D , of each sample , using D = m/V .
e. Compare your results with the accepted values for each material.
Density of liquids
Empty beaker: 20 g
Full beaker: 120 g
Volume of water = 100 cm.
Answer:
The mass is water is full – empty = 120 – 20 = 100 gm
- Density = 100 gm / 100 cm3 = 1 gm / cm3
Very important note
- The density of water = 1 g / cm3 or 1000 kg / m3
- Anything less than 1 g/cm3 will float.
- Anything more than 1 g/cm3 will sink.
Ice and water
Ice is made of water, so how can it float? When water freezes, the water molecules
form a solid structure that takes up more space than the water.
The ice is less dense than the water.
Page 10
