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Exploring Forces
Chapter 5/8th class/science(curiosity)
Forces are all around us - pushing, pulling, and changing the world we live in.
This presentation explores what forces are, how they work, and the different
types we encounter every day.
By : K Sandeep Swamy(M.Sc,B.Ed)
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What Makes Us Wonder
About Forces?
Uphill Struggle
Why does it feel harder to pedal a bicycle when going uphill than on flat
ground?
Slippery When Wet
Why is it easier to slip on a wet surface?
Floating Feeling
Why do we feel 'light' or like we are 'floating' just after our swing reaches
its highest point and begins to come down?
A Day of Discovery
Sonali and Ragini went cycling on a windy day during their
summer vacation. They noticed:
The wind pushed against them, making pedaling harder
Some paths were rough, others smooth
Coming downhill, their bicycles moved fast without pedaling
Sonali wondered, "It seems something is pulling us downhill, what
could it be?"
What Is a Force?
A force is a push or pull on an object resulting from the object's
interaction with another object.
The SI unit of force is newton (written with a small 'n') and its
symbol is N.
Forces always involve at least two objects interacting with each
other.
Moving a box by pushing, pulling, and lifting
What Can a Force Do?
Start Motion
Make an object move from rest
Change Speed
Increase or decrease how fast an object is moving
Change Direction
Alter the path an object is taking
Change Shape
Deform or reshape an object
Forces in Action
Action Push/Pull Effect
Holding a moving bicycle from behind Pull Stopping or decreasing speed
Hitting a moving ball with a bat Push Changing direction of motion
Pressing an inflated balloon Push Change in shape
Whenever there is a change in speed, direction, or shape, a force is acting on the object.
Types of Forces
Contact Forces
Require physical contact between
objects
Muscular force
Friction
Non-Contact Forces
Act from a distance without physical
contact
Magnetic force
Electrostatic force
Gravitational force
Muscular Force
Muscular force occurs when muscles contract and elongate
while doing any activity.
Used in walking, running, lifting, pushing
Animals use muscular forces for movement
Humans have historically used animal muscular force for tasks
Inside our bodies, muscular force helps with digestion and
blood circulation
Use of muscular force by living beings
Friction: The Opposing Force
Friction is the force that comes into play when an object moves
or tries to move over another surface.
Always acts opposite to the direction of motion
Arises due to irregularities between surfaces
Greater on rough surfaces than smooth ones
Also acts in liquids and gases (air resistance)
Friction acts between two surfaces and opposes the motion of
the object.
Friction between surfaces due to irregularities
Why Do We Slip on Wet
Surfaces?
Dry Surface
On dry surfaces, irregularities between our shoes and the ground interlock,
creating enough friction to prevent slipping.
Water Layer
Water creates a thin layer between surfaces, preventing direct contact
between irregularities.
Reduced Friction
With less surface contact, friction decreases significantly, making it
easier to slip.
Magnetic Force
Magnetic force is the force exerted by a magnet on another
magnet or a magnetic material.
Acts without physical contact
Like poles (N-N, S-S) repel each other
Unlike poles (N-S) attract each other
Can be demonstrated with ring magnets on a stick Force between two ring magnets
Electrostatic Force
Electrostatic force is the force exerted by a charged body on
another charged or uncharged body.
Created when objects are rubbed together
Static charges build up on surfaces
Like charges repel each other
Unlike charges attract each other
Charged plastic scale attracting small paper pieces
Two charged balloons repelling each other
Gravitational Force
Gravitational force is the force with which the Earth attracts
objects toward itself.
Also called force of gravity or simply gravity
Always an attractive force
Acts without physical contact
Makes objects fall toward Earth
Causes vertical motion Objects falling toward Earth due to gravity
Vertical Motion Under
Gravity
Upward Motion
When thrown upward, an object's speed decreases until it
momentarily stops at the top
Momentary Stop
At the highest point, the object stops briefly before changing
direction
Downward Motion
While falling, the object's speed increases as gravity pulls it toward
Earth
The Floating Feeling on a Swing
When a swing reaches its highest point and begins to come
down:
At the top, your body momentarily experiences
"weightlessness"
1.
Both you and the swing are falling at the same rate
2.
Your body feels like it's floating because it's in free fall
3.
This sensation is similar to what astronauts experience in
space
4.
Weight vs. Mass
1
Mass
Amount of matter in an object
Measured in kilograms (kg) or grams (g)
Remains the same everywhere
Does not change from planet to planet
2
Weight
Force with which Earth pulls an object
Measured in newtons (N)
Can vary slightly from place to place
Different on different planets
Weight on Different Planets
0
10
20
30
Earth Venus Mars Moon Jupiter
A 1kg object has different weights on different planets due to their different gravitational forces, even though its mass remains constant
at 1kg.
Measuring Weight
A spring balance is used to measure weight:
Spring stretches when an object is hung from it
Amount of stretching indicates the weight
Scale shows weight in newtons (N)
Often includes a second scale for mass (g)
A spring balance with scale markings
Floating and Sinking
When an object is placed in a liquid:
Gravitational force pulls it downward
Liquid applies an upward force called upthrust or buoyant
force
If gravitational force > buoyant force: object sinks
If gravitational force = buoyant force: object floats Plastic bottle experiencing upthrust in water
Archimedes' Principle
The Principle
When an object is fully or partially
immersed in a liquid, it experiences an
upward force equal to the weight of
the liquid it displaces.
Sinking Objects
If the weight of liquid displaced <
weight of object, the object will sink.
Floating Objects
If the weight of liquid displaced =
weight of object, the object will float.
Uphill Cycling: Why Is It Harder?
When cycling uphill:
Gravity pulls you and your bicycle downward
1.
This creates a component of force opposing your forward
motion
2.
You must overcome both friction AND this gravitational
component
3.
More force is required to maintain the same speed
4.
Floating Rocks?
Some rocks, like pumice, can float on water because:
Formed during volcanic eruptions
Lava with gas and water vapor cools quickly
Tiny gas bubbles get trapped inside
Creates a light, porous rock with air pockets
Overall density is less than water
According to Archimedes' Principle, it floats!
Forces in Our Bodies
Circulation
Expansion and contraction of heart
muscles circulates blood
throughout the body.
Digestion
Muscular force helps chew food
and push it through the alimentary
canal.
Breathing
Diaphragm and intercostal muscles
create pressure changes that move
air in and out.
Key Takeaways
Force Basics
A force is a push or pull resulting from interaction between
objects. The SI unit is newton (N).
Force Effects
Forces can change speed, direction, shape, or start motion
from rest.
Force Types
Contact forces (muscular, friction) require physical contact.
Non-contact forces (magnetic, electrostatic, gravitational)
act from a distance.
Weight vs. Mass
Weight is the gravitational force on an object and varies by
location. Mass is the amount of matter and remains constant.
Questions to Ponder
1 Slipping Question
Why do we sometimes slip on smooth surfaces like ice or polished
floors?
2 Floating vs. Sinking
When you drop a coin in a glass of water, it sinks, but when you place a
wooden block in water, it floats. Why?
3 Ball on Incline
How could you make a ball released from the same point on an inclined
plane stop at different positions on the horizontal surface?