Mukwevho Wauluga Forces

Natural sciences : Physics Notes Force is a push or pull that can change an object's motion, shape, or direction. It is a vector quantity,
meaning it has both magnitude (size) and direction
Grade 9

Term 3

Measuring Force

The unit of force is the newton (N), named after Sir Isaac Newton. A newton is the force required to
accelerate a 1-kilogram mass at a rate of 1 meter per second squared.

Force Diagrams

A force diagram is a visual representation of all the forces acting on an object. Each arrow in a force
diagram represents a force, with its length indicating the magnitude and its direction indicating the
direction of the force.

Normal Force

The normal force is a contact force that acts perpendicular to a surface. It is the force that prevents
an object from falling through a surface. For example, when you stand on the ground, the ground
exerts an upward normal force on you.

Balanced Forces

Balanced forces are forces that have equal magnitude and opposite direction. When balanced forces
act on an object, the object remains at rest or continues to move at a constant speed in a straight
line.
Unbalanced Forces Frictional Force

Unbalanced forces are forces that have unequal magnitude or do not act in opposite directions. Frictional force is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. It acts parallel to the
When unbalanced forces act on an object, the object accelerates in the direction of the net force. surfaces and always acts in the opposite direction of the intended motion
.
Types of frictional force:
* Static friction: This type of friction occurs when two objects are at rest relative to each other. It
prevents an object from starting to move. The maximum static frictional force depends on the nature
of the surfaces in contact and the normal force between them.
* Kinetic friction: This type of friction occurs when two objects are moving relative to each other. It
opposes the motion of the object. The kinetic frictional force is generally less than the maximum
5 Effects of Forces
static frictional force.
* Change in motion: Forces can cause objects to start moving, stop moving, or change their speed or
Factors affecting frictional force:
direction.
* Nature of the surfaces: Rougher surfaces have higher frictional forces than smoother surfaces.
* Change in shape: Forces can cause objects to change their shape, such as bending or stretching.
* Normal force: The greater the normal force between two surfaces, the greater the frictional force.
* Change in direction: Forces can cause objects to change their direction of motion.
* Relative speed: The frictional force between two surfaces may change slightly with relative speed,
* Overcoming friction: Forces can overcome friction, which is a force that opposes motion.
but this effect is often negligible.
* Changing the state of matter: Forces can change the state of matter, such as melting ice or boiling
Applications of frictional force:
water.
* Walking: Frictional force between your shoes and the ground prevents you from slipping.
* Braking: Frictional force between the brake pads and the wheels of a car slows it down.
Types of Forces
* Tire traction: Frictional force between the tires and the road provides traction for a car.
* Belt drives: Frictional force between the belt and the pulleys in a belt drive system transmits
* Contact forces: These forces occur when two objects come into contact.
power
Examples include:
Tension Force
* Compression Force
Tension force is a force that pulls an object when it is attached to a string, rope, or cable. It acts along
Compression force is a force that pushes inward on an object, causing it to become squeezed,
the length of the string, rope, or cable, pulling the object away from its attachment point.
squashed, or compacted. This force acts perpendicular to the surface of the object.
Examples of tension force:
* Pulling a bucket on a rope: When you pull a bucket up from a well, you are applying a tension force
Examples of compression force:
to the rope.
* Squeezing a sponge: When you squeeze a sponge, you apply a compression force, causing it to
shrink in size.

* Hanging a picture on a wall: The string or wire holding the picture exerts a tension force on it.
* A tightrope walker: The tightrope exerts a tension force on the walker, keeping them balanced.
* Crushing a can: Crushing a can with your hands involves applying compression force to the can's
* A guitar string: When you pluck a guitar string, it vibrates due to the tension force between its two
sides.
ends.

Key points about tension force:

* It is a type of contact force.
* It acts along the length of a string, rope, or cable.
* It pulls the object away from its attachment point.
* The maximum tension force that a string, rope, or cable can withstand without breaking is called
its breaking strength
 * Magnets attracting or repelling each other: Opposite poles of magnets attract each other, while
* A bridge supporting a load: The columns of a bridge are subjected to compression forces from the like poles repel each other.
weight of the bridge and any vehicles passing over it.
* A hydraulic press: This machine uses compression force to press materials into desired shapes.
Key points about compression force:
* It is a type of contact force.
* It acts perpendicular to the surface.
* It can cause objects to change shape or size.
* The ability of a material to withstand compression force is called its compressive strength. * Electric motors: Magnetic forces are used in electric motors to convert electrical energy into
mechanical energy.
* Non-contact forces: These forces can act on an object without touching it. * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI machines use magnetic fields to create images of the
Examples include: human body.
* The Earth's magnetic field: The Earth's magnetic field protects us from harmful solar radiation.
Gravitational Force
Electrostatic Force
Gravitational force is a non-contact force that attracts any two objects with mass. It is a fundamental
force of nature, and its effects are felt throughout the universe. Electrostatic force is a non-contact force that acts between charged objects. It is also known as the
Coulomb force, named after Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, who discovered its law.
Key points about gravitational force:
* It is a non-contact force, meaning it can act on objects without touching them. Key points about electrostatic force:
* It is attractive, meaning it pulls objects together. * It is a non-contact force, meaning it can act on objects without touching them.
* The strength of the gravitational force between two objects depends on their masses and the * It can be either attractive or repulsive, depending on the charges of the objects.
distance between them. * The strength of the electrostatic force between two objects is proportional to the product of their
* The gravitational force between two objects is proportional to the product of their masses and charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This relationship is
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This relationship is described by described by Coulomb's law.
Newton's law of universal gravitation * Charges can be positive or negative. Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract
each other.

Examples of gravitational force: Examples of electrostatic force:

* The Earth's gravity: The Earth's gravity is what keeps us and other objects on the ground. It also * Rubbing a balloon on your hair: When you rub a balloon on your hair, it becomes charged and can
causes the Moon to orbit the Earth. attract small pieces of paper.
* The Moon's gravity: The Moon's gravity is responsible for the tides in the Earth's oceans.
* The Sun's gravity: The Sun's gravity holds the planets in their orbits.
* The formation of stars and galaxies: Gravitational force plays a crucial role in the formation of stars
and galaxies.

Magnetic Force

Magnetic force is a non-contact force that acts between magnetic objects. It is one of the four * Lightning: Lightning is a powerful electrostatic discharge that occurs between clouds or between a
fundamental forces of nature. cloud and the ground.

Key points about magnetic force:

* It is a non-contact force, meaning it can act on objects without touching them.
* It can be either attractive or repulsive, depending on the orientation of the magnetic objects.
* The strength of the magnetic force between two objects depends on the strength of their
magnetic fields and the distance between them.
* Magnetic fields are produced by moving electric charges, such as in electric currents or in the
motion of electrons in atoms.
* The attraction between atoms: The electrostatic force between the positively charged nucleus and
Examples of magnetic force: the negatively charged electrons holds atoms together.
* Electrostatic painting: Electrostatic painting uses electrostatic forces to apply paint to objects
evenly and efficiently.
Weight and mass Electric Cells as Energy Systems
Electric Cells:
* Definition: An electric cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
Mass:
* Definition: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter an object contains. It is a fundamental
property of matter and is independent of gravity.
* Units: Kilograms (kg) in the metric system, pounds (lb) in the imperial system.

* Components:
* Electrodes: Two different metals or carbon rods that conduct electricity.
* Electrolyte: A solution that allows ions to move between the electrodes.
* Terminal: A connection point for the external circuit.
Weight:
* Definition: Weight is a measure of the gravitational force acting on an object. It depends on both * Chemical Reactions:
the object's mass and the strength of the gravitational field at its location. * Oxidation: Loss of electrons at one electrode (anode).
* Units: Newtons (N) in the metric system, pounds (lb) in the imperial system. * Reduction: Gain of electrons at the other electrode (cathode).
* Overall reaction: A redox reaction that produces a potential difference between the electrodes.

* Types of Cells:
* Primary cells: Cannot be recharged (e.g., dry cells, alkaline cells).
* Secondary cells: Can be recharged (e.g., lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries).

Key differences between mass and weight:

|
Feature Mass Weight

Definition Amount of matter Gravitational force

Units Kilograms (kg) Newtons (N)
Dependence on gravity Independent Dependent Electric Circuits:
Location Same everywhere Varies location * Definition: A closed path that allows electricity to flow.
Example Amount of matter in a brick The force with which the
brick is pulled towards the
earth
Here are some additional points to consider:
* An object's mass remains constant no matter where it is located.
* An object's weight changes depending on the strength of the gravitational field. For example, you
would weigh less on the Moon than on Earth because the Moon's gravity is weaker.
* In a state of free fall, an object is weightless, but it still has mass. * Components:
* The equation for weight is: Weight = Mass x Gravity (W = mg). * Source of electricity: Battery or other power supply.
* Load: Device that uses electrical energy (e.g., bulb, motor).
* Conductor: Material that allows electricity to flow (e.g., wire).
* Switch: Device that controls the flow of electricity.

* Circuit Diagrams:
* Use symbols to represent components.
* Follow the flow of current.
 * Heat loss
* Light loss
* Improving efficiency:
* Use energy-efficient appliances
* Reduce energy waste

Series and Parallel Circuits

Resistance in Grade 9 Term 3 Series Circuits

* Definition: A series circuit is a circuit where all components are connected one after the other, so
Resistance is a property of a material that opposes the flow of electric current. It is measured in that the same current flows through each component.
ohms (Ω). * Characteristics:
Factors affecting resistance: * The same current flows through each component.
* Length of the conductor: Longer conductors have higher resistance. * The total voltage is the sum of the voltages across each component.
* Cross-sectional area of the conductor: Thicker conductors have lower resistance. * The total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances.
* Type of material: Materials like copper and silver have low resistance, while materials like rubber * If one component fails, the entire circuit fails.
and glass have high resistance.
* Temperature: The resistance of most materials increases with temperature. Parallel Circuits
Ohm's Law:
Ohm's Law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage * Definition: A parallel circuit is a circuit where components are connected side by side, so that the
applied across it, provided the temperature and other physical conditions remain constant. same voltage is applied across each component.
Mathematically, it can be represented as: * Characteristics:
V = IR * The total current is the sum of the currents through each branch.
* The same voltage is applied across each component.
where: * The total resistance is less than the smallest individual resistance.
* V is the voltage (in volts) * If one component fails, the other components continue to function.
* I is the current (in amperes) Key features:
* R is the resistance (in ohms) Feature Series Parallel

Series and Parallel Circuits: current Same current flows through Total current is the sum of
* Series circuit: The same current flows through all components. The total resistance is the sum of all component branch currents
the individual resistances.
| Voltage Total voltage is the sum of Same voltage across all
* Parallel circuit: The total current is the sum of the currents flowing through each branch. The total
individual voltage components
resistance is less than the smallest individual resistance.
Resistance Total resistance is the sum of Total resistance is less than
individual resistances the smallest individual
Applications of Resistance:
resistance
* Resistors: Components used to control the flow of current in circuits.
Failure If one component fails entire If one component fails the
* Rheostats: Variable resistors used to adjust the current in a circuit.
circuit fails other components continue
* Fuses: Devices that melt and break a circuit when the current exceeds a safe limit.
to function
Key Concepts:
Example:
* Resistance opposes the flow of electric current.
Consider a circuit with two resistors, R1 and R2.
* Ohm's Law relates voltage, current, and resistance.
* Series circuit: The total resistance is R1 + R2. The same current flows through both resistors.
* Series and parallel circuits have different rules for calculating total resistance and current.
* Parallel circuit: The total resistance is less than both R1 and R2. The current divides between the
* Resistors, rheostats, and fuses are practical applications of resistance.
two branches.
Applications:
* Series circuits: Used for simple circuits like flashlights and Christmas lights.
Energy Efficiency:
* Parallel circuits: Used for household wiring, where multiple appliances can be connected to the
* Ratio of useful output energy to total input energy.
same power source.
* Formula: Efficiency = (Useful output energy / Total input energy) x 100%
* Factors affecting efficiency:
* Resistance in the circuit