Self-Study Module: Forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion

1. Contact and Non-Contact Forces

Contact Forces

1. Applied Force: This is the force exerted by a person or object on another object through direct contact. For example,
when a vendor pushes a cart of vegetables at the market, the force applied by their hands is the applied force.

2. Normal Force: This is the perpendicular force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. For
example, a book resting on a table experiences a normal force from the table that supports its weight.

3. Frictional Force: This force opposes the motion of an object sliding or rolling over a surface. For example, the friction
between the tires of a jeepney and the road prevents the vehicle from sliding.

4. Air Resistance: This is the force exerted by air against the motion of an object moving through it. For example, a kite
flying in the sky experiences air resistance that opposes its motion.

5. Tensional Force: This is the force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable when it is pulled tight. For example,
when a person pulls a fishing net, the tension in the net helps in lifting it.

6. Spring Force: This is the force exerted by a compressed or stretched spring. For example, a bungee cord stretched
between two trees in a park exerts a spring force when it is pulled.

Non-Contact Forces

1. Gravity/Weight: This is the force of attraction between two masses. For example, the weight of a coconut falling from a
tree is due to gravitational force.

2. Electrical Force: This force acts between charged particles. For example, the force between two charged balloons
rubbed against each other is an electrical force.

3. Magnetic Force: This force acts between magnetic poles. For example, a magnet attracting iron nails has a magnetic
force.

Practice Test: Contact and Non-Contact Forces

1. When a person pushes a cart full of rice at the market, the force they apply is called: a. Frictional Force
b. Normal Force
c. Applied Force
d. Tensional Force
2. The force that keeps a book from falling through a table is: a. Air Resistance
b. Normal Force
c. Spring Force
d. Applied Force
3. The force that opposes the motion of a bike moving on a rough road is: a. Magnetic Force
b. Frictional Force
c. Tensional Force
d. Gravity/Weight
4. The force exerted by the wind against a moving kite is: a. Air Resistance
b. Normal Force
c. Electrical Force
d. Applied Force
5. The force exerted through a rope when pulling a boat towards the shore is: a. Tensional Force
b. Frictional Force
c. Spring Force
d. Gravity/Weight
6. The force that makes a falling mango hit the ground is: a. Electrical Force
b. Magnetic Force
c. Gravity/Weight
d. Air Resistance
7. The force between two magnets that either attract or repel each other is: a. Magnetic Force
b. Applied Force
c. Frictional Force
d. Normal Force
8. The force you feel when pulling on a bungee cord is: a. Applied Force
b. Spring Force
c. Tensional Force
d. Air Resistance
 9. The force that helps a swimmer move through water is: a. Frictional Force
b. Normal Force
c. Air Resistance
d. Tensional Force
10. The force that acts between charged particles, like in static electricity, is: a. Magnetic Force
b. Gravity/Weight
c. Electrical Force
d. Spring Force

2. Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Balanced Forces: When forces acting on an object are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, resulting in no
change in the object's motion. For example, a book resting on a table experiences balanced forces because the force of
gravity pulling it down is balanced by the normal force from the table pushing it up.

Unbalanced Forces: When the forces acting on an object are not equal, causing the object to accelerate or change its
state of motion. For example, a car accelerating when the engine provides more force than the friction resisting its motion.

Practice Test: Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

1. A book resting on a table experiences: a. Balanced Forces

b. Unbalanced Forces
2. A car accelerating on a highway due to the engine's power is an example of: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
3. A person pushing a stationary wall is an example of: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
4. A ball being kicked and speeding up is experiencing: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
5. Two people pulling on opposite ends of a rope with equal force is an example of: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
6. A bicycle slowing down when approaching a stop sign is an example of: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
7. A skydiver reaching terminal velocity is experiencing: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
8. A rocket taking off from the ground is an example of: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
9. A person standing still on an escalator moving at a constant speed is experiencing: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces
10. A train moving forward with increasing speed is experiencing: a. Balanced Forces
b. Unbalanced Forces

3. Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

First Law (Law of Inertia): An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. For
example, a passenger in a tricycle lurches forward when the tricycle suddenly stops due to inertia.

Second Law (Law of Acceleration): The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and
inversely proportional to its mass. For example, pushing a cart with more force makes it accelerate faster.

Third Law (Action and Reaction): For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, when a
person jumps off a boat, the boat moves in the opposite direction.

Practice Test: Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

1. A passenger lurching forward when a jeepney suddenly stops demonstrates: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
2. A vendor pushing a cart with greater force makes the cart accelerate faster illustrates: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
3. A tricycle slowing down as brakes are applied shows: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
4. A person pushing a wall with no movement shows: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
 5. A fisherman throwing a net and the boat moving in the opposite direction illustrates: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
6. A cyclist continuing to move forward on a straight road without pedaling shows: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
7. The force exerted by a spring when stretched is an example of: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
8. A firecracker exploding and pushing fragments in different directions demonstrates: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
9. A car accelerating as it leaves a station shows: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law
10. A boat moving backward when a fisherman throws a heavy net demonstrates: a. First Law
b. Second Law
c. Third Law

4. Solving for Force, Mass, and Acceleration for Newton’s Second Law

Newton’s Second Law of Motion states that F=ma is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration.

Practice Test: Solving for Force, Mass, and Acceleration

1. If a car with a mass of 1000 kg accelerates at 3 m/s2, what is the force applied?

a. 2000 N
b. 3000 N
c. 1000 N
d. 5000 N

2. A force of 60 N is applied to a cart, causing it to accelerate at 4 m/s 2. What is the mass of the cart? a. 15 kg
b. 20 kg
c. 30 kg
d. 40 kg
3. A 200 kg object experiences a net force of 800 N. What is its acceleration? a. 2 m/s2
b. 4 m/s2
c. 6 m/s2
d. 8 m/s2