Forces Flashcards
What is a force?
A push or pull applied to an object. Used to change the state of motion of an object or body
What is a Contact force
Motion generating forces e.g. Pushes and Pulls (friction, tension, normal)
What is a Non-contact force
Motion controlling forces e.g. Gravity or intertial, magnetic
- Relates to mass and magnitude of attraction between bodies
- Inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them
- Gravitational force is proportional to (m1 x m2) / distance2
Describe the effect of forces on kinematic variables
Why should we care about forces?
Newtons Laws
an object will remain at rest or continue to move with constant velocity as long as the net force = 0
Inertia
Describes an objects resistance to change it’s state of motion.
Inertia is proportional to mass :. greater mass, greater resistance to changing your state of motion.
e.g. A bodys inertia, is equal to its resistance
*any object with mass has inertia
How is state of motion changed?
change velocity = change state of motion e.g. magnitude of velocity or direction. high jumper changing horizontal veloity to vertial
The magnitude of change in velocity is proportional to the net force acting on the object and inversely proportional to the mass. (f=ma) :. large acceleration = large force AND lower mass
Newtons 2nd law of acceleration
A net force accelerates an object
F = ma
Large acceleration: large force
Lighter object: greater acceleration
Acceleration: lighter object requires less force
Explain Newtons 3rd law of action-reaction
how to apply a force externally when the force is internal (e.g. muscle contracting on bones)
- “for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction”
Internal forces applied to external surface (ground) = ground reaction force to propell forwards (propultion)
How to apply Newtons 3rd law of action-reaction
1) To have the Greatest force applied to us, need to apply the greatest possible force against that object
2) Force to accelerate in a specific direction, need to produce force in a specific opposite direction
What is weight?
represents the force of attraction between the earth and object
* i.e. changes on mars as effected by gravitational pull
e.g. 491 Newtons
weight = mass x gravity
491 / 50 = 9.81 m/s squared
What is mass?
represents the quantity of matter of which a body is composed.
e.g. 50kg
Little G
Constant Gravitational Pull
G x (m earth / earths radius (distance) squared
g = 9.81 m/s squared
Net acceleration on objects from the combined effect of gravitation (distribution of mass within earth) and centrifugal force ( from the earths rotation)
Importance of understanding gravitational pull and weight vs mass
The force acting on the body in relation to it’s mass is one of the most significant forces in biomechanics.
- No horizontal movement exists unless we overcome this force
- All projectile motion is governed by gravitational forces ( always travel in parabolic trajectory, due to force of gravity and constant pull back to earth)
Force (N)
- Force is a vector quantity - Magnitude and direction
- 1 N of force will accelerate a 1kg object by 1 m/s every second
- 1 N = kg m/s^2
- free body diagram is a technique visualising and simplifying a problem by constructing a diagram showing all forces acting on object
Free body diagram
used to help understand the potential action of all forces acting on an object
1 - identify the system
2 - seperate the system of interest
3 - identify object CoM
4 - identify the external forces
5 - find resultant of forces (sum or pythag)
What is the relationship between GRF and COP in the gait cycle context?
COP’s movement path reflects the body’s adjustments to maintain balance - correspond with postural control strategies, helping to reduce sway and maintain stability.
COP trajectory, can indicate potential gait abnormalities if deviating significantly from typical paths.
Centre of pressure (COP)
Indicates the location “balance point” of the average GRF vector. it shofts as weight transfers from heel-strike to to-off
Gait objectives
propel our bodies forward efficiently and with minimal energy expenditure
Ground reaction force fluctuation during gait
GRF changes magnitude.
GRF moves horizontally as stance progresses into propulsion
Ground reaction forces during gait
Horizontal: How fast
Vertical: lifting foot up and down
Mediolateral: rotation side to side
Ground reaction force (GRF)
The measured action-reaction force of our push against the ground
Work
when force is used to move a mass
Force x displacement = work
Units: kgm2/s2 or Nm or Joules (j)
Principles of Work
- a force can only do work if it causes a DISPLACEMENT
- a force can only do work for the DURATION of the displacement
- only the force acting on the DIRECTION of displacement can do work
Rate depended, Area under force displacement curve
Work: tissue loaded injury and how much it deforms from the load - how much can tissue withstand?
i.e.
Displacement = deformation
Force = load
W = force x displacemet COSine