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Lesson Notes

The document outlines the types of forces in physics, categorizing them into contact forces and field forces. It provides definitions and examples for various forces including gravity, normal, tension, spring, friction, air resistance, and applied forces. The main goal is to understand interactions and represent them in free-body diagrams.

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11 views2 pages

Lesson Notes

The document outlines the types of forces in physics, categorizing them into contact forces and field forces. It provides definitions and examples for various forces including gravity, normal, tension, spring, friction, air resistance, and applied forces. The main goal is to understand interactions and represent them in free-body diagrams.

Uploaded by

vrr251285
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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© The Physics Classroom www.physicsclassroom.

com/Physics-Video-Tutorial/Newtons-Laws

Types of Forces
Lesson Notes

Goals
• The main goal is to account for all the interactions and to represent them in a free-
body diagram.
• Always think Interactions. Ask How is the object interacting with the surroundings?

What is a Force?
A force is a push or pull that acts upon an object as a result of its interaction with other
objects.

Two Broad Categories of Forces:


• Contact Forces: Normal Force, Tension Force, Friction Force, Spring Force, Air
Resistance Force, Applied Force
• Field Forces: Gravity, electrical, magnetic

Force Type
Description, Note Example(s)
and Symbol
The non-contact force acting
between any two objects with mass; 1. The Earth pulls downward
Gravity Force
most significant when one or both upon any object that is near
(Fgrav) objects are very massive. it.
Always acts downwards on objects.
The force resulting when an object 1. A person stands on the floor.
presses against another object. The floor pushes up on the
Normal Force This force is often observed to be a person with an Fnorm.
(Fnorm) support force from a stable surface 2. Book at rest on a table. The
upon which or against which an table pushes up on the book
object rests. with an Fnorm.

1. A box hangs from the ceiling


The force transmitted through a by a cable. The cable exerts
string, rope, cable, or wire that is an upward tension force on
Tension Force
pulled tight. the box.
(Ftens)
The rope pulls with a tension force on 2. A dog is pulled by a dog
both objects. chain. The chain exerts a
force upon the dog.
Force Type
Description, Note Example(s)
and Symbol
1. A mass is suspended from
Spring Force The force exerted upon an object by the ceiling by a spring. The
(Fspring) a stretched or compressed spring. spring exerts an upward pull
upon the mass.

1. A truck skids to a stop along


a road. Friction exerts a
The force between two surfaces that
backward force upon the
are sliding (or attempting to slide)
Friction Force truck.
across each other.
(Ffrict) 2. A baseball player slides
Friction opposes the motion of the
across the infield dirt. There
sliding object.
is a backward friction force
on the player.
1. A skydiver is falling. Air
A force acting upon an object that is
resistance acts upward on
Air Resistance moving through air.
the skydiver.
Force Air resistance is greatest for high
2. A truck is moving at high
(Fair) speed objects that have poor
speed. Air resistance acts
aerodynamics.
backward on the truck.
The force exerted upon an object by
a person (usually) or thing.
This force is usually a “catch-all” type 1. A worker pushes a crate up a
Applied Force of force to account for any force not hill. There is an applied force
(Fapp) covered by the other types. If you’ve on the crate (by the person).
already counted the crate-worker
interaction by another type (such as
normal force), don’t count it again.

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