Force
Definition
Force is a push or pull that can change the motion of an object. It is measured in Newtons (N).
Analogy
Imagine you're trying to move a heavy box across the floor. The force you apply to the box determines how easily it moves. If you push with a strong force, the box will move quickly. But if you only apply a weak force, the box will barely budge.
Related terms
Mass: Mass refers to the amount of matter in an object. It is a measure of how much inertia an object has.
Friction: Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact with each other.
Gravity: Gravity is the force that attracts objects towards each other. It keeps us grounded on Earth and determines our weight.
"Force" appears in:
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Practice Questions (6)
Sum of the forces = mass * acceleration tells you that the direction of the force and acceleration vectors are
A 10 kg mass is falling with air resistance. Calculate the force from air resistance once the object reaches terminal velocity.
A student plots a graph modeling the force applied on a toy car (assume frictionless surface) vs the horizontal displacement travelled. How can the work done on the car be determined graphically?
A force is applied to a 5 kg cart for 2s, causing it to accelerate from 2m/s to 10m/s. What is the average magnitude of the force?
A student conducts an experiment and creates a graph of Force (N) vs. Time (s). How would the student be able to find the impulse of the object from the graph?
A 4 kg object is moving with an initial velocity of 3 m/s. If a 8 N force is applied to the box, how long will it take for the box to reach a velocity of 6 m/s?
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