Introduction to forces

Question 1

What is a force?

Answer 1

A force is a push or pull that can change the shape of an object or change the way that it moves.

Question 2

Are forces visible?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

What effect can forces have on moving objects?

Answer 3

Forces can slow things down or stop them from moving. If an object is already moving a force can change the direction of motion.

Question 4

How can you represent a force acting upon an object?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What are the different types of forces?

Answer 5

Gravitational forces
Electrostatic forces
Magnetic forces