Forces and motion
We all know that a force is a push or a pull.
It is measured in Newtons (N)
Measured with a Force meter / Newton Meter /
spring balance
We can’t see a force, but we can see its effects.
What are the effects of forces?
Let’s watch this video:
[Link]
We are going to consider the most important effect of
Force – ‘Motion’, and discuss various aspects of
motion:
Motion – When an object changes its position, it is said
to be in motion.
Distance – The length of path covered by a moving
object is called Distance.
SI unit – m
Displacement – The actual change in position of an
object is called displacement. It is the shortest distance
between 2 points.
SI Unit – m
Difference between distance and displacement
Speed:
The distance covered by a moving object over time is
called Speed.
Speed =
S=
SI unit = m/s
Other units = km / hr (kmph), mph etc
Problem 1:
A toy car covers a distance of 12 m in 20 s. Calculate
the speed of the car.
Problem 2:
A bus has a speed of 60 km/hr. How much time will it
take to cover a distance of 150 km?
S = 20 / 0.5 = 40 km/hr
Velocity:
Speed measured with the direction is called ‘Velocity’
velocity =
v=
Since velocity has the direction, it is called a Vector
Vector – Magnitude (numerical value) + direction (eg.
Velocity, Force etc)
Scalar – Only Magnitude (eg. Speed, Length etc)
How do we express direction in velocity?
Way 1:
Using the cardinal / intermediate direction.
Example: Car moving at 60km/hr towards West
Way 2:
Using Right / left / up / down
Example: Car moving at 40km/hr towards left
Way 3:
Using + and – sign
This way is used when we have 2 opposite directions.
We can also use the signs interchangeably!
Average speed and Instantaneous speed:
Average speed:
If we measure the speed by taking the total distance
over a total period of time, it is called average speed.
It is the average of many speeds that the object could
have had in the time interval.
Example – measuring a person’s running speed by
measuring total distance and total time.
Instantaneous speed:
When the speed of an object is constantly changing,
the instantaneous speed is the speed of an object at a
particular moment (instant) in time.
Example – speed shown in a speedometer
Acceleration:
What happens when a car’s accelerator is pressed?
It goes faster, right? The car is said to be accelerating.
Acceleration is the increase in velocity (or speed) over
a period of time.
(OR)
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Let’s say we have a car moving initially with a velocity
‘u’.
The accelerator is pressed, and the car speeds up to a
velocity of ‘v’. The time during which this happens is
‘t’
Acceleration a =
a=
SI unit = = m/s2
SI unit = m /s2 Other units = km/hr2 or mphr2
What does acceleration mean?
If a car accelerates by 2 m/s2 its velocity increases
by 2 m/s every second.
If a car accelerates by 5 m/s2 its velocity increases
by 5 m/s every second.
Problem 1:
A toy truck has an initial velocity of 4 m/s. If its
velocity changes to 20 m/s in a time of 8 s, what is its
acceleration?
Problem 2:
A car has a velocity of 6 m/s. If its acceleration is 3
m/s2, what will be its velocity be after 5 seconds?
Method 1: Method 2:
Use Formula At 0 s, v = 6 m/s
a= At 1 s, v = 6 + 3 = 9 m/s
3= At 2 s, v = 9 + 3 = 12 m/s
3 x5 = v – 6 At 3 s, v = 12 + 3 = 15 m/s
15 = v – 6 At 4 s, v = 15 + 3 = 18 m/s
V = 15 + 6 = 21 m/s At 5 s, v = 18 + 3 = 21 m/s
Remember:
We use acceleration generally when there is an
increase in velocity.
What if velocity decreases over time? Like in the
case a driver applies brakes in a car.
Then we say the vehicle is decelerating.
Deceleration:
When an object loses velocity over a period of
time, it is said to be decelerating.
It is also called Retardation or Negative
acceleration.
a=
Problem 1:
A car is travelling with a velocity of 60 km/hr. The
driver applies the brakes to slow down the car, and
its velocity becomes 10 km/hr in 0.25 hrs.
Find its deceleration.
a=
a=
a = - 50/0.25 = - 200 km/hr2
Hence, when acceleration is negative, it means
deceleration.
Deceleration = 200 km/hr2 (OR) acceleration = -200
km/hr2
Problem 2:
A toy truck travelling with an initial velocity of 12 m/s
decelerates at the rate of 1.5 m/s2. After how much time will
its final velocity be 3 m/s?
a=
-1.5 =
-1.5 t = -9
t = -9 / -1.5 = 6 s
Reference video:
[Link]
[Link]