Science - Forces

Question 1

Define the scientific meaning of the word “force”

Answer 1

A force is a push,pull or twist

Question 2

Explain why forces can be categorised as direct / contact or indirect/non-contact.

Answer 2

Forces are either direct (contact) or indirect (non-contact). Direct forces, like friction, need physical contact, while indirect forces, like gravity, act at a distance without touching objects.

Question 3

Define balanced and unbalanced forces

Answer 3

Balanced forces cancel each other out, keeping an object’s motion steady. Unbalanced forces cause an object to accelerate in the direction of the stronger force.

Question 4

Interia

Answer 4

Inertia is when an object keeps doing what it’s doing, like staying still or moving, until something pushes or pulls it.

Question 5

Compare the particles within an atom and their properties.

Answer 5

Electrons have a negative charge, protons have a positive charge, and neutrons have no charge. Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus, and electrons move around it.

Question 6

Describe how objects with like and unlike charges react when they are brought close to each other.

Answer 6

Objects with like charges (both positive or both negative) repel each other, meaning they push away when brought close. Objects with unlike charges (one positive and one negative) attract each other, meaning they pull toward each other.

Question 7

Define weight force as the mass × the acceleration due to gravity (g) (Fw=mg)

Answer 7

Weight force is the force exerted by gravity on an object, calculated by multiplying the object’s mass (m) by the acceleration due to gravity (g).

Question 8

Use Newton’s law of universal gravitation to discuss the factors that affect the force of gravity

Answer 8

1. Mass of the objects
2. Distance between objects
3. Gravitational constant:

Question 9

Use forces and Newton’s laws to explain the motion of objects in orbit

Answer 9

The Moon’s orbit follows Newton’s laws: The First Law says objects keep moving until a force acts, the Second Law says gravity pulls the Moon, and the Third Law says Earth and the Moon pull equally, but Earth doesn’t move much.

Question 10

Describe the behaviour of magnets as they are brought close to each other

Answer 10

When magnets are brought close to each other, like poles (e.g., north-north or south-south) repel, pushing each other away. Unlike poles (north-south) attract, pulling the magnets together.

Question 11

Define the term field and use it to explain the observed behaviour of magnets

Answer 11

A field is an invisible area where forces can affect objects. For magnets, the magnetic field around them causes opposite poles to attract and like poles to repel.

Question 12

Investigate examples of forces and magnetism in familiar contexts

Answer 12

1. Fridge Magnets
2. Compass
3. Magnet in Electronics

Question 13

Constant Speed

Answer 13

1. Car driving on a highway at 60km/hr
2. A parked car in a parking spot
3. A book lying on a table

Question 14

Acceleration

Answer 14

A ball rolling down a hill.
A bike speeding up when you pedal harder.
A person jumping off a step.