Names: __________________ Date:

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Activity in General Physics 1

Newtonian Mechanics

Activity 1
Contact Force
Contact Abbr. Definition
Force
→
Frictional A force that resists motion; caused by the interaction between the
Ff
Force surfaces in contact, resulting in a resistance to the object’s motion
→
Tension A force associated with objects pulled in opposite directions ; usually
FT
Force linked with strings, ropes or wires
→
Spring Experienced by an object linked with the restoring force that aims to
Fs
Force return the object to equilibrium; usually associated with compressed
or stretched spring or an elastic material

→
Applied A force exerted by a person or another object
Fa
Force
→
Thrust A force experienced by an object whenever fluid is expelled by it
Ft
Force
→
Drag Force A reaction force that resists the motion of an object in a fluid; the
Fd
direction of resistance is opposite the motion of the object

→
Air and Oppositely directed force experienced by an object moving in air
FR
Water (aerodynamic drag) or water (hydrodynamic drag)
Resistance

→
Normal A force experienced by an object lying on a surface; also described
FN
Force as a support force that is always perpendicular to a surface
 →
Buoyant A force experienced by an object that is partially or wholly
FB
Force submerged in a fluid; equal to the weight of the amount of fluid
displaced by the submerged object

A. Give at least two examples of the following types of contact force.

1. Frictional force
2. Tension force
3. Spring force
4. Applied force
5. Thrust force
6. Drag force
7. Air and water resistance
8. Normal force
9. Buoyant force

Activity 2
Law of Acceleration
Part 1
Materials
Slingshot ruler
5-peso coin meterstick

Procedure
1. Illustrate weak force and strong force by shooting a 5-peso coin with a sling shot. To illustrate
weak force, pull the slingshot at exactly five inches. Then, release the coin. Measure the distance
covered by the coin.
2. For strong force, pull the slingshot at 10 inches. Release the coin and measure the distance it
covered.
3. Observe the motion of the coin. Write your observations on the table below.
Observations
Coin flipped with less force Coin flipped with greater force

Part 2.
Materials
slingshot 5-peso coin
ruler meterstick
250-mL plastic bottle (filled with water)

Procedure
1. Do Step 2 of Part 1 three times. Record the distance covered at each trial. Write the
measurements on the table below.
Coin
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4

2. Then, shoot the 250-mL filled bottle, using the slingshot pulled at 10 inches. Repeat three
times. Measure the distance covered and write the measurements on the table.
250-mL Filled Bottle
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4
Analysis Questions:
1. Which of the objects has covered a greater distance? What do you think is the reason
behind it?
2. With the observations that you have made, how do you relate acceleration with force and
mass?

Activity 3
Law of Motion: Application
Determine the threshold angle for the following activity.
Materials
Cardboard drinking glass 1 L water
 block of wood empty soda can protractor
Procedure
1. Place the cardboard on the floor.
2. Determine the mass of the block of wood.
3. Put water in the can and the glass so that the three will have the same masses.
4. Ensure that the cardboard will be able to withstand the mass of the objects when they are
on placed on it.
5. Put the objects one at a time at the end of the cardboard.
6. Raise the end of the cardboard while maintaining the other end in contact with the floor.
7. Determine the angle at which the object will start sliding. This is the threshold angle.
8. Write your data on the following table.
Threshold Angle
Trial Block of wood Glass of water Can of water
Mass = _____ Mass = _____ Mass = _____
1
2
3
Average

Analysis Questions:
1. Which among the materials have the highest threshold angle?
2. What is the relationship between the threshold angle and the frictional force experienced
by the surfaces in contact?
3. What is the relationship between the type of materials in contact and their threshold
angle?