Force Notes Part 1

What is a Force? Examples: When you ride a bike, your foot pushes against the pedal. The push makes the wheels of the bike move. When you drop something, it is pulled to the ground by gravity. A force is a push or pull in a particular direction.

What is a Force? Examples: Forces affect motion by making objects: start moving stop moving move faster move slower change direction change shape

How are forces depicted? Every force has a specific strength The SI unit for the strength of a force is the Newton (N) 1N of force is exerted when you lift a lemon

How are forces depicted? Every force has a specific direction Arrows are drawn in the direction the force acts in Size of arrow reflects strength of force Arrows are labeled with the strength of the force

Examples Push Right Pull Left Pull Down Push Left Push Down

How do forces interact? Forces rarely act alone Multiple forces act on a single object in many directions. Net Force = the combination of all forces acting on an object.

How do forces interact? Forces acting in the same direction: Are added together Result in an arrow facing the same direction. 4N 8N 4N

Example Two students are working together to push a large box. Justine pushes the box to the right with 200N of force, while Brittany pushes the box to the right with 150N of force. Draw and label the net force. 200N 150N Net Force 350N

How do forces interact? Forces acting in opposite directions: Are subtracted together Result in an arrow facing the direction of the greater force. 4N 8N 4N

Example Brittany thinks she is stronger than Justine so she moves to the other side of the box and pushes in the opposite direction. Using the same forces above, draw the net force: 200N 150N 50N Net Force

Example Find the net force of the forces shown below: 370N 360N 10N