it's the millennium success series : Integrated Science for Junior High Schools Volume

BOOK18

FORCE AND MOTION

INDICATORS and EXEMPLARS The laws of motion
The laws of motion shows the
At the end of this sub strand, the relationship that exists between the
student should be able to: motion of a body and the forces that are
acting on it.
1.Explain newton’s Second Law of Motion.
2. Identify complex machines and describe Sir Isaac Newton, (1643 - 1727), was an
their functions. English Physicist and Mathematician
who proposed these laws to
describe/guide the motion of bodies.

FORCE AND MOTION Newton’s second law of motion

Force and motion are related concepts Newton's second law of motion states
that;
because it is the ‘applied force’ on a
“the acceleration on a body is directly
body that causes it to move; I.e.
proportional to the net/resultant force
experiences motion.
acting on it and inversely proportional to
the mass of the body”.
Force is said to be that which changes a
body’s state of rest or of uniform motion Mathematically; a = ‘f’net
in a straight line. m
where; ‘a’ is acceleration
In a more simpler term, force is either a ‘f’net is net/resultant mass
push or a pull on an object which causes ‘m’ is mass of the body.
the body to move in the direction of the
force. Note: The net/resultant force is the
algebraic/vector sum of all the various
Motion is the process which describes forces that are acting on the body.
how an object/body changes its position This is not the same as ‘force [f]’.
with respect to time.
The above equation is re-arranged to a
more familiar/common form below;
In reality, motion is described/explained Fnet = m × a. [making Fnet the subject of
in terms of displacement, distance, the equation]
velocity, speed or acceleration.
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From the above equation, a unit of force is an upward change; i.e. increase or
is equal to a unit of mass times a unit of deceleration, if the change in velocity is
acceleration. a downward change; i.e. decrease.

By substituting/replacing standard unit of Apart from an increase or a decrease in

force, mass and acceleration into the the velocity of a body, an applied force
above equation, the following unit can also cause a change in the
equivalency could be obtained as; direction of a body in motion.
1 newton = 1Kg × 1m/s2
Force and acceleration are therefore
One newton is defined as the amount of vector quantities.
force which is required to give a body of
mass 1Kg, an acceleration of 1m/s2 Note: 1. A vector quantity is a quantity
that has both magnitude [number] and
direction.
The direction of ‘net force’ and 2. A scalar quantity is a quantity that
‘acceleration’ has only magnitude [number] but no
The direction of the net force is in the direction.
same plane as that of the acceleration.
So if the direction of the acceleration is For practical purposes; i.e. in practice, it
known, then the direction of the net is difficult to be able to apply a constant
force can also be obtained. force to a body for an indefinite length
of time.
In conclusion, Newton’s 2nd law provides In reality, Forces are applied constantly
an explanation for the behaviour of for only a limited amount of time to
objects upon which the acting forces do produce what is called impulse.
not balance; i.e. cancel out.
Impulse is the product of force and time
A c c o rd i n g t o t h e s e c o n d l a w ; which is taken for it to act; i.e. exert its
unbalanced forces always cause effect.
objects to accelerate with an
acceleration that is directly proportional The effect of impulse on a body to either
to the net force and inversely bring about a change in its
proportional to the body’s mass. velocity/speed or direction can only
persists for the time that the force
component of the impulse works.
Acceleration, velocity, impulse and
weight Contrary to the above, there is a
An applied force acting on a body can particular situation that we encounter;
cause a uniform change in its velocity i.e. come across a constant force.
with time. This force is that which is due to [caused
The above concept is called by] gravitational acceleration.
acceleration, if the change in velocity
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Note: Gravitational acceleration Procedure/method:

causes materials/bodies to exert a 1.A piece of string with a mass hanging
downward force towards the center of at one end over a pulley.
the earth.
This constant acceleration produced by 2. A trolley; i.e. small movable car is
the constant force ‘F’ is denoted as ‘g’. attached to the other/opposite end of
the string in such a way that the trolley
Newton’s second law of motion thus can easily accelerate when the
becomes; F = Mg. mass/weight is released.
The product of ‘Mg’ is known as weight;
which is also a type of force. 3. The weight at the free end of the string
is gradually increased by adding the
Note: From the formula W=mg, a body standard/slotted masses and the time
has no weight if it experiences no taken to travel the entire length of the
acceleration due to gravity. meter rule in each case is recorded in
seconds.
For this reason, a body in space has no
weight; i.e. is weightless even though it The tools are arranged into the set-up
has mass. below;
Furthermore, when a body has no
position
significant mass component, gravity of trolley
alone cannot produce weight; i.e.
downward force. light gates pulley

Practically, this explains why one

requires an upward force ‘ma’ which is
greater than the weight ‘mg’ of a body to standard
be able to lift/raise it. [slotted]
masses

AN EXPERIMENT TO DEMONSTRATE
NEWTON SECOND LAW OF MOTION Observation and inference
The values of the weights [slotted
Aim: An experiment to show the masses] and the corresponding
relationship between the external force acceleration [time rate of increase in
applied on a moving body and the velocity] produced is tabulated as shown
resulting acceleration; i.e. acceleration below;
produced.
2
Weight [N] Acceleration [m/s ]
Apparatus/materials: Dynamic trolley,
pulley and string, slotted/standard
masses, clamp, meter rule, timer [stop
clock], light gates, glider.
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From the above table, a graph of force Everyday observations that illustrate
against acceleration is drawn which Newton’s Second law
produces a straight line as shown below; Newton’s second law of motion is
demonstrated/illustrated in the
following common/everyday
occurrences;

1. Differences in the accelerations

produced in a car and a truck after the
two have been supplied with the same
weight

magnitude of force; i.e. applied force.

faster acceleration small car

equal
force

star t slower
point acceleration

acceleration
big truck

Conclusion ]
It is concluded that increasing the acting 2. A racing car is constructed to give it a
external force on a moving body ALWAYS reduced/smaller mass so that its
increases its acceleration. acceleration can be increased for
faster movement.

Precautions
To ensure an accurate results, the 3. A rocket is able to leave the Earth’s
following measures must be orbit into space because it generates a
taken/ensured; greater force; i.e. thrust which increases
1. Use/choose a light inextensible its acceleration/speed to leave this
string/rope that can support/carry the gravitational field.
masses/weights of the standard/slotted
masses.
4. A kicked ball follows the direction of
2. Careful select/choose the last weight the applied force with an acceleration
of the slotted/standard masses so that it which corresponds to the magnitude of
does not strain/tear the string. the exerted force.

3. Repeat the experiment/process for

several weights and record the 5. During a car crash, there is a force
corresponding acceleration in each between the obstacle and the car
case. known as the impact force.
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The level of damage corresponds to this 8. A car can move forward due the
impact force which is determined by the exerted force from the engine which
masses of the colliding bodies and gives it the corresponding acceleration.
speed/acceleration with which they
were moving.
forward direction
Note: The above is the reason why over-
speeding is not advised in driving so as acceleration
the damage to the vehicle and the
injuries to the occupants/passengers
during accidents may be minimal; i.e.
less.

6. A body under free-fall; i.e. a fall 9. Since uniform speed increases

generated by the Earth’s gravitational acceleration with distance covered, a
force experiences an acceleration karate player is able to break a slab of
which increases with travel distance. brick easily by moving the hand over the
shoulders before striking.
For this reason, an object thrown from a
tall building suffers a greater damage
than if it were thrown from a shorter
building.

7. A fat person walks slower than a

slender person because the slender
person has a greater acceleration due
to a smaller mass.

slender
fat person
person
Importance of Newton’s Second Law of
Motion
Newton’s second law of motion is very
important because it shows the
relationship between force and
acceleration.

The correlation between force and

Weight = 90Kg Weight = 60Kg acceleration is the basics for most of the
speed 3.5 km/hr speed 5km/hr principles in sports movements.
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Players in games like; baseball, tennis 2. a. If the weights of three pupils in a

and football use the knowledge of force class are;
and acceleration to direct the ball to the I. 360.7 N ii. 380.5 N iii. 500.9N
target opponents or places. What are their masses ?

It is also used to calculate for the b. A spring balance reads 1.1 N when an
velocity/speed and the position of apple is hanged on it. What is the mass of
bodies that are acted upon by known the apple?
forces. [take g = 10m/s ]
In construction, the required forces that Solution
will be resting on fixed joints in the a. Weight = mass × acceleration due
framework of buildings and bridges can to gravity.
be determined with this law. mass = Weight
acceleration due to gravity

i. mass of first pupil = 360.07

Worked Examples
10
= 36.07 kg
1. a. What is the relationship among
mass, weight and acceleration due to
ii. mass of second pupil = 380.5
gravity ?
10
b. If your teacher has a mass of 75 kg,
= 38.05 kg
what is his weight. [take g = 10m/s ]
iii. mass of third pupil = 500.9
Solution
10
a. Relationship among mass, weight
= 50.09 kg
and acceleration due to gravity is given
by the expression; W = m × g, or W =
b. mass = weight
mg.
acceleration due to gravity
Where; w is weight, m is mass and g is
= 1.1
acceleration due to gravity.
10
= 0.11
b. mass = 75 kg
mass of apple is 0.11 kg
g = 10m/s2
weight = mass × acceleration due to
gravity TRIAL QUESTION
= 75 kg × 10m/s2 Determine the acceleration that will be
--
= 750 newtons produced in each case when a 12N net
the teacher’s weight is 750 N force is applied to a 3Kg object and to a
6Kg object.

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Compound Machines The common types of simple machines

are; lever, screw, wheel and axle,
A machine is a device which allows a inclined plane, pulleys and the wedge.
small applied force [effort] to be
multiplied/magnified so as to overcome
a large resistance force [load] in order to Compound/complex machines
do work. A compound/complex machine is
formed when two [2] or more simple
A machine works by either increasing its machines work together.
force or speed with/using the input During the operation/work of a
energy but not both at the same time. compound machine, the effort force
which is applied to one of the simple
The two [2] forms of machines are; machine is magnified and transferred to
simple machines and compound the next simple machine in series.
[complex] machine.
Examples of complex machines
include; bicycle, crane, car jack, lawn
mower, sewing machine, etc.
Simple machines
From book 7, it was established that a
simple machine makes work easier Differences between simple machines
using a mechanical advantage. and compound machines.

The mechanical advantage is the Inasmuch as simple machines and

number of times that the small input compound machines are types of
force [effort] is multiplied into a large machines, yet they differ in
output force. several/many ways from each other.

Simple machines create mechanical The table below compares the

advantage [M.A.] by changing the differences/variations in the two [2]
direction of the input force to work with main forms of machines using some
gravity; i.e. gravitational force. common properties.

Common property Simple machines Compound machines

1. Definition 1. A simple machine converts 1. A compound machine is

mechanical energy from its made up of many simple
source into another form of machines that are working
energy without any help from together
another device
2. Number o f 2. They has a few or no moving 2. They has many/more moving
moving parts parts parts

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3. Nature of work it 3. They can do mostly less 3. They are designed to do more
does difficult; i.e. simple work difficult; i.e. complex work
4. Time taken for it 4. They use a relatively longer 4. They use a relatively shorter
to operate/work time in their operation; i.e. to be time in their operation; i.e. to be
able to work able to work
5. Quality of work 5. The quality of work done is 5. The quality of work done is
done relatively poor as compared to relatively high as compared to
that compound machines that simple machines
6. The mechanical advantage
6 . M e c h a n i c a l 6. The mechanical advantage of a compound machine is
advantage used in of a simple machine is relatively high because it is
t h e i r relatively low because it is obtained by combining those
obtained from a simple device of all the simple machines that
come together to form it.

7.Nature of force 7. Simple machines have single 7. Compound machines have

and load effort applied on a single load. many/multiple efforts applied
to one or many loads.
8.Availability of 8. Simple machines do not 8. Compound machines have
energy source contain or have an energy extra/other energy source
source and cannot power extra apart from its input force [effort]
work above what have been and as such it can perform
applied and magnified by it much more work
9 . F r i c t i o n t o 9.There is less friction to 9.There is more friction to
overcome in its overcome because there are overcome because there are
operation few moving parts more moving parts
10.Life span of 10. Simple machines have a 10. Compound machines have
machiine relatively longer span a relatively shorter span

Relationship between compound machines and simple machines

The main relationship between simple Most of the devices we use on a daily
machines and compound machines is basis are compound machines
that; a compound machine is a b e c a u s e t h e y h a v e
collection of simple machine that are component/constituent simple
working in tandem; i.e. together in series. machines.
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The following are some compound machines and the simple machines that combine
to form them

Component/constituent simple machines in it

Compound machine
First part Second part Third part Fourth part
wedge lever
A pair of scissors [blades] [handles]
lever wedge
A stapler [punching part] [stapler pins]
wedge lever
A clipper [blades] [handles]
wedge wheel &
An electric fan [blades] axle
wheel & lever
A bicycle gears
axle [pedals]
inclined wheel & lever
A wheelbarrow
plane axle [handles]
[container] [wheel]

lever wheel & wedge

A bottle opener [arms] gears axle [cutter]
[rotating handle]

wedge pulley
lever
A fishing rod [hook] [winding &
[stick]
unwinding]

pulley inclined plane

Escalator [belt [steps of
movement] escalotor]

lever pulley wheel &

crane [bar on which [help to axle
frame is formed] pick up [rotating handle]
frame]

wedge lever
crane [tip of [handle]
shovel]

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A can opener
A pair of scissors A stapler

Escalator
A fishing rod

A bicycle

crane

A clipper

An electric
fan

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Definition of parts of compound 6. Screw

machines [simple machines] A screw is a cylindrical shaft with grooves
that pass/move through other objects by
1. Lever a rotational force to produce a linear
A lever is an object that acts as a pivot motion.
point that multiples the force that can be
applied to another object.

H o w c o m p l ex m a c h i n e s h a v e
2. Wheel and axle improved the quality of life [uses of
The wheel and axle is a rod attached to a complex machines]
wheel which can multiply an applied In a general sense, a machine is a
force. device that makes the process of doing
work much easier and faster.
A large force applied to the axle causes
the wheel to travel rapidly, causing an In today’s world, machines have/find
automobile to drive faster, to make it to uses in enormous range of
function as a speed multiplier. applications/areas like; industrial,
commercial, residential and
A minor force applied to the wheel academic fields.
makes it cover a great distance to
produce a greater force in the axle such The need for machinery/machines
as in the wind mill. arises when there is a demand for speed
and efficiency in doing a specific work.

3. Pulley A compound machine always works

A pulley consists of a wheel on an axle better than a simple machine. This is
with a rope running over the wheel. because the mechanical advantage
Generally, they are used to change the which is the ‘working force’ of any
direction of an applied force. complex machine is a product of all the
mechanical advantages of the simple
machines found within it.
4. Inclined plane
The inclined plane is a flat surface which
ends at different heights. Complex machines help/assist humans
Generally, they reduce the amount of in performing activities that are tough
force required to move an object. [ h a rd ] , r e p e t i t i v e [ c o n t i n u o u s ] ,
dangerous or even dull.

5. Wedge Common examples of complex

A wedge is a triangular-shaped tool that machines that we come across on a
can be used to separate, hold or lift an daily basis include; motors, pumps and
object. generators.
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A motor uses electricity to turn a wheel or An escalator makes it easier for people
another device that needs/uses and luggage to move between the
rotational force; i.e. torque. floors of busy public buildings like
airport terminals.
Examples of common machines that
work with a motor includes; electric fan, An elevator [lift] is an enclosed container
electric drill, electric mixers, washing that works like a car to carry passengers
machines and water pumps. or freight between the levels/floors of
very tall buildings.

A pump moves a fluid; i.e. liquid or gas, Similarly, a forklift which uses two levers
by a mechanical action from one place to able to lift heavy objects from the floor
to another. to short vertical heights/distances.

Pumps are used for irrigation, water Such kinds of heavy loads cannot be
supply, gasoline supply, air lifted successfully by the hands
conditioning systems, refrigeration because it requires too much force for
systems, chemical compressors, such a small surface area.
c h e m i c a l m o v e m e n t, s e w a g e
movement, flood control, marine But with two folks; acting as separate
servicing, etc. levers working together, the effort
required is greatly reduced.

A generator takes energy from a source Note: The arms and legs can be turned
as steam or water flowing through a river into levers, especially when they are
and convert it into electricity. made stiff enough to be used for lifting
objects.

Electricity generation is very important in

any modern society because it is
needed for most domestic and LIKELY EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
commercial activities today. 1. Give three differences between a
simple machine and a complex
machine.
Furthermore, complex machines
outperform simple machines, offering a 2. Explain why a complex machine works
better work rate than the later. better/faster than a simple machine?
For instance; an escalator and an 3. Differentiate between a pump and a
elevator are complex machines that generator; as forms of simple machines.
works with a principle similar to that of an
inclined plane in motion.

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