PHYSICS

Focus Independent School

Handout
 PHYSICS

Force and Motion

This handout is prepared based on the learning needs of secondary 3

students, as a study guide in the first semester.

Sections:
1. The Definition Types of Forces

2. Scalars and Vectors

3. Forces and Motion

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Force
What is a force?
Do you think the car will move in both
cases? Sure, it depends. If the both of
them are strong enough, the boat will
move. If they are not, the car will only
tend to move, i.e. it will remain at rest.

men exerts a push on the car

boy exerts a pull on the car

Similarly, if someone were to run head-on into you, you would only stop him if you

were strong enough. If not, you would only tend to stop him. Thus, we define a force.

A force is a push or pull that causes a change in speed, direction or shape. It

produces or tends to produce motion, and stops or tends to stop motion. The following

actions involve pushing and pulling:

Stretch Squeeze Twist Press Fold/Bend Lift

We can see the effect of a force on an object, but we cannot see forces. It means

that:

• Cause a stationary object to move.

• Makes a moving object move faster.

• Changes the direction of a moving object.

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• Slows down of stops a moving object.

• Changes the shape and size of an object.

Types of Forces
There are many types of forces in our daily lives. You can determine the types of forces

being exerted in this table.

Frictional force is type of contact force that oppose motion.

Contact Forces

Contact forces are forces that act between two objects that are physically

touching each other. Examples of contact forces include:

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https://goprep.co/list-out-the-following-actions-on-the-basis-of-contact-force-i-1nkpc9
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Reaction force

An object at rest on a surface experiences reaction force. For example, a

book on a table.

Tension

An object that is being stretched experiences a tension force. For example,

a cable holding a ceiling lamp.

Friction

Two objects sliding past each other experience friction forces. For example,

a box sliding down a slope.

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Frictional force

Explain to your friends, what is meant by frictional force and

understand ways of reducing it!

• A frictional force is produced when one material rubs against another.

• Friction is a force that oppose motion. It slows down and will eventually stop

a moving object. It can also prevent an object from moving.

• The surface of any material is uneven. When surfaces rub against each other,

the uneven surfaces obstruct each other, causing friction. This frictional force

often causes heat to be produced.

Ways to reduce friction:

• Using bearing (roller or ball) between the surfaces.

• Using roller or wheels to move heavy object

• Streamlining the shape of a moving object

• Using lubricants such as oil and grease.

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Air resistance

An object moving through the air experiences air resistance. For example, a

skydiver falling through the air.

When a contact force acts between two objects, both objects experience the same

size force, but in opposite directions. This is Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Non-contact forces

Non-contact forces are forces that act between two objects that are not

physically touching each other. Examples of non-contact forces include:

Magnetic force

A magnetic force is experienced by any magnetic material in a magnetic

field.

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Opposite magnetic poles (N - S or S - N) attract each other

Like magnetic poles (N - N or S - S) repel each other

Electrostatic force

An electrostatic force is experienced by any charged particle in an electric

field.

Opposite charges (+ and -) attract:

Like charges (- and -, or + and +) repel

Gravitational force
A gravitational force is experienced by any mass in a gravitational field.

Masses are attracted towards each other by gravitational force:

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Force and Weight

Explain to your friends, what is meant by gravitational force and

weight!

• The force of attraction between an object and the Earth is called

gravitational force. It is often abbreviated to gravity.

• Like all forces, it cannot be seen. However, we can observe its effect. For

example, all object fall towards the surface of the Earth because of gravity.

• The pulling action on an object due to the gravitational force acting on the

object is called its weight.

• The greater the mass of an object, the greater its weight. The greater the

force of gravity (less on the moon, more on planets larger than Earth, like

Jupiter), the greater its weight.

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Quantifying Forces
The SI unit of force is Newton (N). A force of 1 N is roughly the amount of force

the Earth’s gravity pulls on a 100 g mass. For measuring the forces we can use a

forcemetre. Most forcemetre has springs inside. This force quite small and is equal to the

gravitational forceon (the weight of) an average-sized object.

Forcemetre

• With an extention spring balance, the spring stretches with the pulling

force. If the force is doubled, then so is the stretch.

• With a compression spring balance, the spring compresses with the

pushing force. If the force is doubled, theen so is the compression.

•
Compression spring balance

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Exercise

Match the forces to the following situations by drawing a line.

Gravitational * * holding a pencil when writing

Frictional * * a drop of rain falls to the ground

Elastic * * tennis racket hitting the ball

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Reference
Dr Charles Chew. et.al. (2010). GCE ‘o’ level Physics Matters. Singapore. Marshall
Cavendish.
Prescott, Christopher. (2009). Perfect Guide Lower Secondary Science Book A.
Singapore. Marshall Cavendish.

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