Minerva Educations
Science
By Abhishek Sir:9958674274
Our Centre’s-Offline/Online
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Exploring Forces” (Force and Pressure):
Notes
1. What is Force?
A force is a push or pull on an object.
It can:
o Start or stop motion
o Change speed
o Change direction
o Change shape
Example:
Pushing a door
Pulling a rope
2. Types of Forces
(a) Contact Forces
These act when objects are in contact.
Muscular force
o Done by muscles
o Example: lifting a bag, kicking a ball
Frictional force
o Opposes motion
o Example: bike slows down when you stop pedaling
(b) Non-Contact Forces
These act without touching.
Gravitational force
o Earth pulls everything toward itself
o Example: apple falling from tree
Magnetic force
o Attraction/repulsion between magnets
Electrostatic force
o Force between charged objects
3. Effects of Force
Force can:
Move a stationary object
Stop a moving object
Change speed
Change direction
Change shape
4. Pressure
Pressure = Force ÷ Area
Pressure increases when:
o Force increases OR
o Area decreases
Example:
Sharp knife cuts better (small area → more pressure)
5. Air and Water Pressure
Air exerts pressure in all directions.
Water also exerts pressure.
Pressure increases with depth in water.
Example:
Diving deeper in water increases pressure on body.
6. Important Examples
Syringe works due to pressure difference
Rubber sucker sticks due to air pressure
Straw works because of air pressure
Quick Revision Points
Force = push or pull
Types: contact + non-contact
Pressure = Force / Area
Liquids and gases exert pressure
A. Short Questions & Answers
1. What is force?
Ans: Force is a push or pull acting on an object.
2. What can force do?
Ans: It can change the shape, speed, direction, or state of motion of an object.
3. What is muscular force?
Ans: Force applied by muscles of humans or animals.
4. What is friction?
Ans: Friction is the force that opposes motion between two surfaces.
5. Give one example of non-contact force.
Ans: Gravitational force.
6. What is gravitational force?
Ans: It is the force by which Earth pulls objects toward itself.
7. What is pressure?
Ans: Pressure is force acting on a unit area.
8. Write formula of pressure.
Ans: Pressure = Force ÷ Area
9. Why do sharp knives cut better?
Ans: Because they apply more pressure due to small area.
10. Does air exert pressure?
Ans: Yes, air exerts pressure in all directions.
11. What happens to pressure in water with depth?
Ans: Pressure increases as depth increases.
12. Name one magnetic force example.
Ans: Attraction between a magnet and iron nail.
B. Long Questions & Answers
1. What is force? Explain its effects on an object.
Answer:
Force is a push or pull acting on an object. It can change the state of motion or shape of an object.
The effects of force are:
It can move a stationary object.
It can stop a moving object.
It can change the speed of an object.
It can change the direction of motion.
It can change the shape of an object (like squeezing a sponge).
2. Explain different types of forces with examples.
Answer:
Forces are mainly of two types:
(a) Contact Forces:
These act when two objects are in contact.
Examples:
Muscular force: used in lifting a bag or pushing a table.
Frictional force: opposes motion, like a rolling ball slowing down.
(b) Non-Contact Forces:
These act without physical contact.
Examples:
Gravitational force: Earth pulling objects toward itself.
Magnetic force: attraction or repulsion between magnets.
Electrostatic force: force between charged objects.
3. What is pressure? Explain how it depends on force and area with examples.
Answer:
Pressure is the force acting on a unit area of a surface.
Formula: Pressure = Force ÷ Area
Pressure depends on:
Force: More force means more pressure.
Area: Smaller area means more pressure, larger area means less pressure.
Examples:
Sharp knives cut better because they have a small area and create high pressure.
Heavy tanks use wide tracks to reduce pressure on the ground.
4. Explain air pressure and its importance.
Answer:
Air exerts pressure in all directions due to the weight of air above us. This is called air pressure.
Importance of air pressure:
Helps in drinking through a straw.
Rubber suckers stick to surfaces due to air pressure.
Syringes work because of pressure difference.
5. Explain water pressure and how it changes with depth.
Answer:
Water also exerts pressure on objects placed in it.
Water pressure increases with depth because the weight of water above increases.
Examples:
Divers feel more pressure as they go deeper into the sea.
Dams are built thicker at the bottom to withstand high water pressure.
6. Differentiate between contact and non-contact forces.
Answer:
Contact Force Non-Contact Force
Does not require
Requires physical contact
contact
Example: gravity,
Example: friction, muscular force
magnetism
Acts even from a
Acts only when objects touch
distance
C. Assertion–Reason Questions
Q1
Assertion (A): Force can change the shape of an object.
Reason (R): Force always increases the size of an object.
Answer: A is true, R is false
Explanation: Force can change shape (like squeezing a sponge), but it does
not always increase size.
Q2
Assertion (A): Friction always opposes motion.
Reason (R): Friction acts between two surfaces in contact.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Friction happens due to contact, and it always resists motion.
Q3
Assertion (A): Pressure increases when area decreases.
Contact Force Non-Contact Force
Reason (R): Pressure = Force ÷ Area.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Smaller area increases pressure for the same force.
Q4
Assertion (A): Gravitational force is a contact force.
Reason (R): It acts only when objects touch each other.
Answer: A is false, R is false
Explanation: Gravity is a non-contact force and works without touching.
Q5
Assertion (A): Air exerts pressure in all directions.
Reason (R): Air has weight and occupies space.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Air particles push in all directions due to weight of air.
Q6
Assertion (A): Sharp knives are more effective in cutting.
Reason (R): They apply less pressure on objects.
Answer: A is true, R is false
Explanation: Sharp knives apply MORE pressure because area is small.
Q7
Assertion (A): Water pressure increases with depth.
Reason (R): More water is present above at greater depths.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is correct explanation.
Explanation: More water column means more weight and pressure.
Q8
Assertion (A): Magnetic force is a non-contact force.
Reason (R): It acts only when magnets touch each other.
Answer: A is true, R is false
Explanation: Magnetic force acts even without touching.