SP9: forces and their effects Flashcards
what are contact forces?
forces that act between two objects that are physically touching each other
normal contact force
an object at rest on a surface experiences a reaction force perpendicular (normal) to the surface
tension
-an object that is being stretched experiences a tension force
-pulling force exerted by each end of an object
friction
a force that opposes or prevents movement and converts kinetic energy into heat
air resistance
a force of friction produced when an object moves through the air
what happens when a contact force acts between two objects?
both objects experience the same size force, but in opposite directions
what is a non-contact force?
a force that acts between two objects that are not physically touching each other
magnetic force
a force experienced by any magnetic material in a magnetic field
electrostatic force
experienced by any charged particle in an electric field
gravitational force
-experienced by any mass in a gravitational field
-masses are attracted towards each other by gravitational force
what is a free body diagram & how is it drawn?
-a diagram that models the forces acting on an object
-the object is usually shown as a box or a dot
-the forces are shown as thin arrows pointing away from the centre of the box/dot
how do you draw a vector diagram?
[CHECK PHYSICS BOOK ITS MUCH CLEARER]
what is resultant force?
the combination of all forces acting on an object to make one force
if the weight of a box (acting downwards) is 50 N and the normal reaction force (acting upwards) is 50 N what is the resultant force?
0
if the weight of the box (acting downwards) is 50 N and the air resistance (acting upwards) is 20 N, what is the resultant force?
30N downwards
what is a moment?
-the turning effect of a force
-moments act about a point in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction
what point does a moment act about?
any point on the object, but the pivot (fulcrum) is usually chosen
equation for a moment
force x distance
units for the equation of a moment
-moment in newton-metres (Nm)
-force in newtons (N)
-distance in metres (m)
which distance is used while calculating moments?
-the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force (shortest distance between the pivot and the line of action of the force)
a force of 15N is applied to a door handle, 12 cm from the pivot. calculate the moment of the force
15 x 0.12
1.8 Nm
the principle of moments
if the object is balanced: total clockwise moment = total anticlockwise moment
a parent and child are at opposite ends of a playground see-saw.
the parent weighs 750 N and the child weighs 250 N.
the child sits 2.4 m from the pivot.
calculate the distance the parent must sit from the pivot for the see-saw to be balanced
child’s moment = force × distance
250 N × 2.4 m = 600 Nm
parent’s moment = child’s moment
distance = moment/force
distance = 600/750
distance = 0.8m
what does a lever consist of?
a pivot
an effort
a load