PHYSICS – Forces 1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Effects of forces Supplement

Core • State Hooke’s Law and recall and
• Recognise that a force may use the expression F = k x, where k is
produce a change in size and shape the spring constant
of a body • Recognise the significance of the
• Plot and interpret extension-load ‘limit of proportionality’ for an
graphs and describe the associated extension-load graph
experimental procedure • Recall and use the relation between
• Describe the ways in which a force force, mass and acceleration
may change the motion of a body (including the direction), F = ma
• Find the resultant of two or more • Describe qualitatively motion in a
forces acting along the same line circular path due to a perpendicular
• Recognise that if there is no force
resultant force on a body it either
remains at rest or continues at
constant speed in a straight line
• Understand friction as the force
between two surfaces which
impedes motion and results in
heating
• Recognise air resistance as a form
of friction
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Effects of forces Supplement

Core • State Hooke’s Law and recall and
• Recognise that a force may use the expression F = k x, where k is
produce a change in size and shape the spring constant
of a body • Recognise the significance of the
• Plot and interpret extension-load ‘limit of proportionality’ for an
graphs and describe the associated extension-load graph
experimental procedure • Recall and use the relation between
• Describe the ways in which a force force, mass and acceleration
may change the motion of a body (including the direction), F = ma
• Find the resultant of two or more • Describe qualitatively motion in a
forces acting along the same line circular path due to a perpendicular
• Recognise that if there is no force
resultant force on a body it either
remains at rest or continues at
constant speed in a straight line
• Understand friction as the force
between two surfaces which
impedes motion and results in
heating
• Recognise air resistance as a form
of friction
 What is a force?
A force is a “push” or a “pull”. Some common examples:

WEIGHT – pulls
things
downwards
 What is a force?
A force is a “push” or a “pull”. Some common examples:

An equal and
opposite force,
perpendicular to the
surface (at right
angles to) prevents
the man from
penetrating the
 What is a force?
A force is a “push” or a “pull”. Some common examples:

AIR RESISTANCE (drag) – acts

WEIGHT – pulls against anything moving
things through air
downwards

FRICTION – acts against

anything moving
UPTHRUST – keeps things
Forces are vector quantities
because they have both size
and direction.
Forces are vector quantities
because they have both size
and direction.

SI units
Forces are measured in
newtons (N)
Forces are vector quantities
because they have both size
and direction.

SI units
Forces are measured in
newtons (N)

Small forces can be

measured using a spring
balance (or newton meter)
Newton’s first law of
motion
If no external force is acting on
it, and object will:
- If stationary, remain
stationary
- If moving, keep moving at a
steady speed in a straight
line.
 Newton’s first law of
motion
If no external force is acting on
it, and object will:
- If stationary, remain
stationary
- If moving, keep moving at a
steady speed in a straight
line.

In space, where there are

no external forces, a
satellite will continue to
move at a steady speed in
a straight line …. for ever!
Balanced forces If forces are in balance, then
they cancel each other out, and
the object behaves as if there is
no force on it at all
Balanced forces If forces are in balance, then
they cancel each other out, and
the object behaves as if there is
no force on it at all

When terminal velocity is

reached, the skydiver is falling at
a steady speed. The force of air
resistance is exactly balanced by
the air resistance pushing
upwards.
 Balanced or unbalanced
forces?
What will A
happen in
each case?
B

D
 Balanced and Unbalanced
Forces
Balanced forces:
If the forces acting on an object are balanced then the
object will either remain stationary or continue to
move with a constant speed.
 Balanced and Unbalanced
Forces
Balanced forces:
If the forces acting on an object are balanced then the
object will either remain stationary or continue to
move with a constant speed.

Unbalanced forces:
If the forces acting on an object are unbalanced then
the object will change its speed. It will begin to move,
speed up, slow down or stop.
Friction and Stopping Forces
Friction and Stopping Forces

Although it is sometimes unwanted, friction can really help us – for

example in car braking systems, and giving shoes grip on the ground.
Friction and Stopping Forces

Although it is sometimes unwanted, friction can really help us – for

example in car braking systems, and giving shoes grip on the ground.

As the block is gently pulled, friction

stops it moving – increase the force and
the block will start to slip = starting or
static friction.
Friction and Stopping Forces

Although it is sometimes unwanted, friction can really help us – for

example in car braking systems, and giving shoes grip on the ground.

When the block starts to move, the

friction drops. Moving or dynamic
friction is less than static friction. This
friction HEATS materials up.
 Stopping distance
The distance needed for a car, travelling at a
given speed, to stop (m).

Stopping distance = Thinking distance +

Braking Distance
 Thinking Distance
Before we react to a danger our brain
takes time to think. The distance
travelled during this time is the Thinking
Distance (m)
Mmh, a level
crossing! I should
stop now!
 Braking Distance
Cars don’t stop straight away. They travel
a certain distance from when you start
braking to when they stop. This is the
Braking Distance.

Just in time!
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Effects of forces Supplement

Core • State Hooke’s Law and recall and
• Recognise that a force may use the expression F = k x, where k is
produce a change in size and shape the spring constant
of a body • Recognise the significance of the
• Plot and interpret extension-load ‘limit of proportionality’ for an
graphs and describe the associated extension-load graph
experimental procedure • Recall and use the relation between
• Describe the ways in which a force force, mass and acceleration
may change the motion of a body (including the direction), F = ma
• Find the resultant of two or more • Describe qualitatively motion in a
forces acting along the same line circular path due to a perpendicular
• Recognise that if there is no force
resultant force on a body it either
remains at rest or continues at
constant speed in a straight line
• Understand friction as the force
between two surfaces which
impedes motion and results in
heating
• Recognise air resistance as a form
of friction
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
 Hooke’s Law and forces
Robert Hooke acting on a stretched spring.
was born in 1635
and he devised
an equation
describing
elasticity.
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

• Hooke discovered that the

amount a spring stretches
is proportional to the
amount of force applied to
it.
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

• Hooke discovered that the

amount a spring stretches
is proportional to the
amount of force applied to
it.

• That is, if you double the load

the extension will double.
= Hooke’s Law
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

• Hooke discovered
that the amount a
spring stretches
is proportional to
the amount of
force applied to
it.

• That is, if you double

the load the extension
will double.
= Hooke’s Law
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

• Hooke discovered
that the amount a
spring stretches
is proportional to
the amount of For any spring,
force applied to
it.
dividing the load
(force) by the
• That is, if you double extension gives a
the load the extension value called the
will double.
= Hooke’s Law spring constant (K),
provided that the
spring is not
stretched beyond its
elastic limit.
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

Spring constant:

Load = spring constant x extension F = k x For any spring,

dividing the load
x (force) by the
extension gives a
value called the
spring constant (K),
provided that the
spring is not
stretched beyond its
elastic limit.
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

Spring constant:

Load = spring constant x extension F = k x For any spring,

dividing the load
x (force) by the
X Up to point ‘X’ the extension gives a
extension is value called the
proportional to the spring constant (K),
provided that the
load. Point ‘X’ is the spring is not
limit or proportionality stretched beyond its
elastic limit.
 Hooke’s Law and forces
acting on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

Beyond point ‘X’ the spring continues to behave elastically

and returns to its original length when the force is removed.
At the elastic limit the spring behaves in a ‘plastic’ way and
does not return to its original length – it is permanently For any spring,
stretched. dividing the load
(force) by the
X Up to point ‘X’ the extension gives a
extension is value called the
proportional to the spring constant (K),
provided that the
load. Point ‘X’ is the spring is not
limit or proportionality stretched beyond its
elastic limit.
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Effects of forces Supplement

Core • State Hooke’s Law and recall and
• Recognise that a force may use the expression F = k x, where k is
produce a change in size and shape the spring constant
of a body • Recognise the significance of the
• Plot and interpret extension-load ‘limit of proportionality’ for an
graphs and describe the associated extension-load graph
experimental procedure • Recall and use the relation between
• Describe the ways in which a force force, mass and acceleration
may change the motion of a body (including the direction), F = ma
• Find the resultant of two or more • Describe qualitatively motion in a
forces acting along the same line circular path due to a perpendicular
• Recognise that if there is no force
resultant force on a body it either
remains at rest or continues at
constant speed in a straight line
• Understand friction as the force
between two surfaces which
impedes motion and results in
heating
• Recognise air resistance as a form
of friction
Force, mass
and
acceleration
 Force, mass and
acceleration are related by
the formula:
 Force, mass and
acceleration are related by
the formula:
FORCE (N) = MASS (kg) x ACCELERATION (m/s2)
 Force, mass and
acceleration are related by
the formula:
FORCE (N) = MASS (kg) x ACCELERATION (m/s2)

Newton’s second law of

motion
 Force, mass and
acceleration are related by
the formula:
FORCE (N) = MASS (kg) x ACCELERATION (m/s2)

m x a
 Force, mass and
acceleration are related by
the formula:
FORCE (N) = MASS (kg) x ACCELERATION (m/s2)
Now an
example try
we must!
F

m x a
 Mass =
3kg

Frictional force = 12N Motor force = 20N

 Mass =
3kg

Frictional force = 12N Motor force = 20N

Resultant force = 20 – 12 = 8N (to the right)

Acceleration = F / m

a = 8 / 3 = 2.67m/s2
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Effects of forces Supplement

Core • State Hooke’s Law and recall and
• Recognise that a force may use the expression F = k x, where k is
produce a change in size and shape the spring constant
of a body • Recognise the significance of the
• Plot and interpret extension-load ‘limit of proportionality’ for an
graphs and describe the associated extension-load graph
experimental procedure • Recall and use the relation between
• Describe the ways in which a force force, mass and acceleration
may change the motion of a body (including the direction), F = ma
• Find the resultant of two or more • Describe qualitatively motion in a
forces acting along the same line circular path due to a perpendicular
• Recognise that if there is no force
resultant force on a body it either
remains at rest or continues at
constant speed in a straight line
• Understand friction as the force
between two surfaces which
impedes motion and results in
heating
• Recognise air resistance as a form
of friction
PHYSICS – Forces 1