forces Flashcards
What is a force?
A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object due to the interaction with another object.
What units are forces measured in?
Force is measured in newtons (N).
Two main categories of forces?
contact forces and non-contact forces.
What is a contact force?
A force that can cause or change motion of an object by touching it.
Four examples of contact force?
Friction, Normal/Reaction Force, Air Resistance, Applied Force.
What is a non-contact force?
Force that results when the two objects are not in physical contact with each other, yet are able to exert a push or pull.
Three example of non-contact force?
Gravitational Force, Electrical Force, Magnetic Force.
Tension
It is a pulling force exerted on an object by a string, rope, or rod.
Air resistance
It’s when an object moves through the air it experiences air resistance. This force acts against the direction of movement. The faster the object is traveling the greater the air resistance.
Electrostatic force
It is experienced by a charged particle in an electric field.
Upthrust
It is an upwards force that acts on an object when it is in a fluid
Friction
It’s when two objects slide past each other they experience friction. Friction is a force that acts between two touching surfaces and prevents or resists them moving against each other.
Normal reaction force
It’s when an object pushes on a surface like a table, wall, or the ground, the surface pushes back on the object with a balancing force. The normal reaction force always acts at right angles to the surface.
Thrust
It is a driving force exerted by an engine to make an object move.
Magnetic force
It’s is experienced by a magnet or a magnetic material, eg iron, when placed in a magnetic field. This force can pull the two objects together or push them apart.
How to measure a force?
A force meter, also known as a newton meter, can be used to measure the size of a force.
When forces act on objects what are the effects?
The object can speed up or slow down.
The object can change direction.
The shape of the object can change.
What is friction?
Friction is a contact force and acts against the movement of an object.
When is friction useful?
friction is why we do not slip when we walk along the pavement.
How to make a object move?
To make an object move, you must apply force to it. This motion force has to overcome the force of friction, otherwise it will not move.