📘 Chapter Review: FORCES
1 What is a Force?
1️⃣
A force is a push or a pull that can:
● Make an object move
● Make an object stop
● Change the speed or direction of an
object
● Change the shape of an object
2️⃣Gravity
● Gravity is a force that pulls objects
towards the centre of the Earth.
● When we drop an object, gravity causes it
to fall to the ground.
3️⃣Forces on an Object at Rest
(Balanced Forces)
When an object is resting on a surface:
● Gravity pulls the object downwards
● The surface pushes the object upwards
with a normal force
● These forces are equal and opposite, so
the object does not move
📌 Example: A book on a table does not fall
through because the normal force balances
gravity.
4️⃣Force Diagrams
Force diagrams show:
● The name of the force
● The direction of the force (using arrows)
● The size of the force (longer arrow =
stronger force)
Common forces shown:
● Gravity (down)
● Normal force (up)
● Friction (opposite direction of motion)
● Applied force (push or pull)
5️⃣Applied Force
● An applied force is a force we use to
make an object move.
● When applied force is greater than
opposing forces, the object will move.
📌 Example: Pushing a ball makes it roll.
6️⃣Friction
● Friction is a force that opposes motion
● It occurs when two surfaces are in contact
● Rough surfaces create more friction
● Smooth surfaces create less friction
📌 Examples:
● A bottle cap slides further on a smooth
floor
● A bottle cap stops faster on a carpet
7️⃣Investigation Conclusion (Friction)
● A rough surface produces more friction
● Objects move shorter distances and stop
faster on rough surfaces
● Objects move longer distances on
smooth surfaces
8️⃣Water Resistance
● Water resistance is a type of friction in
water
● Objects with a larger surface area =
more water resistance ( hard to move)
● Objects with a pointed or narrow front =
less water resistance ( move easily )
📌 Example:
● A boat with a pointed front needs less
force
● A boat with a flat front needs more force
9️⃣Air Resistance (Link to Sports Car)
● Air resistance slows objects moving
through air
● Streamlined shapes reduce air resistance
📌 Example: Sports cars are designed to move
fast by reducing air resistance.
🔟 Upthrust
● Upthrust is an upward force exerted by
water
● It acts in the opposite direction to
gravity
If:
● Upthrust > Gravity → object floats up
● Upthrust = Gravity → object floats
and stays still
● Upthrust < Gravity → object sinks
📌 Example: An inflated balloon floats on water
due to upthrust.
✨ Key Vocabulary to
Remember
● Force
● Gravity
● Normal force
● Friction
● Applied force
● Water resistance
● Air resistance
● Upthrust
● Balanced forces
● Unbalanced forces