Chapter 8 (Force and Motion)
Test yourself. 1
1. What is a force?
Force is a push or a pull on an object
that can cause it to start moving, stop
moving, change direction, or change
shape.
2. What is a contact force?
A contact force is a force that occurs when two objects are physically touching each
other.
3. Give an example of non-contact forces?
Gravitational force, Magnetic force, Electrostatic force
4. What units are forces measured in?
The unit of force is Newton Meter (Nm).
5. What scientific instrument is used to measure force?
Newton Meter.
Example:
If you hang a weight from a spring scale, it will show how much gravitational force
(weight) is pulling it down in Newton.
Test yourself. 2
1. What is speed?
Speed is the distance an object travels in a certain amount of time.
It tells us how fast something is moving.
Speed does not tell us the direction—only how quickly the object is moving.
The basic formula for speed is:
2. If a cyclist travels 40 meters in 8 seconds, what is
her speed?
Given data:
Distance = d = 40 meters
Time = t = 8 seconds
To find:
Speed =?
Formula:
Speed = distance
Time
By putting values:
Speed = 40/8
Solution:
Speed = 40/8 = 5
Speed = 5m/s
3. A snail moves at 5cm/h.
a. How far will the snail travel in 1.5 hours?
b. How long will it take the snail to cross a flower bed which is 125cm wide?
a. How far the snail travel in 1.5 hours?
To find distance, use the formula:
Distance = speed x time
By putting values:
Distance = 5cm/h x 1.5 hours
Solution:
5cm/h x 1.5 hours = 7.5 cm
The snail
The will
snail travel
will 7.57.5
travel cmcm
in in
1.51.5
hours
hours
b. How long will it take the snail to cross a flower bed which is 125cm wide?
To find time, use the formula:
Time = distance ÷ speed
By putting values
Time = 125cm ÷ 5cm/h
Solution
Time = 125cm ÷ 5cm/h = 25 hours
The snail will take 25 hours to cross the flower bed
4. In air, sound travels at around 340 m/s. how long does it take to travel 1500 meters?
To find the time it takes for sound to travel 1500 meters in air, use the formula:
Time = distance ÷ speed
Given:
Speed of sound in air = 340 m/s
Distance = 1500 m
By putting values
Time=340 ÷ 1500
Solution
Time=340 ÷ 1500= 4.41seconds
= 4.41seconds
Test yourself. 3
What does distance- time graph tell us?
A distance-time graph shows how far something has traveled over a period of time. It
gives us a visual way to understand motion.
A Distance-Time Graph Can Show:
Speed
Rest (No Movement)
Constant Speed:
Acceleration or Deceleration
Direction
Explain what the following lines on a distance time-graph represent?
a. A horizontal line
b. A straight upward line
c. A curved upward line
a. A horizontal line
Distance stays the same
Time is increasing
No movement — the object is at rest
Example: A parked car or a person taking a break.
b. A straight upward line
Distance increases at a constant rate
Time is increasing
Constant speed — the object is moving at a steady pace
Example: A person walking at the same speed
c. A curved upward line
Distance increases more quickly over time
Speed is increasing
Accelerating motion — the object is speeding up
Example: A car starting to move faster from rest.
What does accelerating means?
Acceleration is the rate of change of speed (or velocity) over time. If something is
accelerating, it’s getting faster with each passing moment.
Test yourself. 4
1. Explain the difference between contact and non- contact forces.
2. Give three examples of contact forces and explain how they work?
Friction
Definition: A force that resists motion between two surfaces that are touching.
Works: When you try to slide a book across a table, the surface of the table pushes back
against the motion of the book.
Example: Rubbing your hands together generates heat due to friction.
Air Resistance (a type of friction)
Definition: A force that acts against an object moving through air.
Works: As a skydiver falls, air pushes against them, slowing their fall.
Example: A parachute uses air resistance to slow a person down when falling.
Applied Force
Definition: A force that is directly applied to an object by a person or another object.
Works: If you push a shopping cart, your hands apply force to move it.
Example: Kicking a ball, pushing a door, or lifting a box.
3. Explain why magnetism is a non- contact force?
Magnetism is called a non-contact force because it can act on objects without touching them.
Explanation:
A magnet can attract or repel certain materials (like iron) from a distance.
There is no need for physical contact between the magnet and the object for the force to
work.
The force works through an invisible magnetic field around the magnet.
Example:
If you hold a paperclip near a magnet, it will move toward the magnet even if they’re
not touching.
That movement happens because of magnetic force acting at a distance.
4. What evidence is there for the force of gravity?
Gravity is a non-contact force that pulls objects toward each other most noticeably, toward
the Earth. We see evidence of gravity in everyday life.
Evidence for Gravity:
Objects Fall to the Ground
When you drop something (like a pen), it always falls downward not sideways or
upward.
This shows that Earth is pulling it down with gravity.
We Stay on the Ground
Gravity pulls us toward Earth’s center, keeping us from floating off into space.
It’s why we can walk, run, or jump and always land back on the ground.
Test yourself. 5
1. What are action and reaction forces?
Action and reaction forces are a pair of forces that
occur when two objects interact with each other.
According to Newton's third law of motion, for
every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction.
2. Explain what would happen if action and reaction forces were to act on the same
object?
If action and reaction forces acted on the same object, they would cancel each other
out, and the object would not move at all. They never act on the same object.
According to Newton’s Third Law, action and reaction forces always act on different
objects.
Example (Rocket):
Action: Rocket pushes gas downward.
Reaction: Gas pushes rocket upward.
Because these forces act on different things, the rocket is able to lift off.
3. What is Isaac Newton third law of motion?
Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction.