Nature of Forces

Learning Targets

3.04A - I can identify the forces acting on an object/system, and draw a force diagram and/or system schema

Can You...

Know forces (pushes and pulls) are interactions between two objects and be able to identify types of forces between objects by the way in which two objects interact.
Label forces, indicating the type of interaction between the objects, what object the force is acting on and what object the force is by. Use the following notation:

F_{kind of force, by dealer, on feeler} (For example: F_{gravity by Earth on student})

Know quantitatively, forces are measured in Newtons (pounds in the English system) and mass is measured in kilograms. A Newton is the same as a kilogram*meter/second/second. (N = kg*m/s/s )

A force is a push or pull upon an object resulting from the object's interaction with another object. Whenever there is an interaction between two objects, there is a force upon each of the objects. Forces only exist as a result of an interaction.

Types of Forces

Gravity

F_g

Attractive (toward each other) force between two objects with mass.
For objects on earth, the force of gravity acts between the object and the earth. This force is by definition the object’s weight and it acts on the object toward the center of the earth.

Friction

F_f

Resistive force between two surfaces when surfaces they rub together. It opposes the motion of an object. For example, if a book slides across the surface of a desk, then the desk exerts a friction force in the opposite direction of its motion. Friction depends upon the type of each surface and how firmly they are pressed together.

Spring

F_s

Force exerted between compressed or stretched spring and an object attached to it.
The spring force acts toward restoring the spring to its unstretched or uncompressed length (equilibrium). Therefore, it acts opposite the direction of the stretch/compression.

Normal

F_N

Support force exerted between two surfaces that are in contact preventing them from passing through each other. Unlike friction, a normal force always acts perpendicular to (out of) the surface.
As an example, if a book is resting on the table, the table exerts an upward force on the book to support its weight and prevent it from falling. A normal force could also be exerted horizontally, for example when a person leans against a vertical wall.

Applied

F_g

Force applied between an object and a person/object consciously and directly pushing/pulling it.

Tension

F_T

Push or pull transmitted through a string, rope, cable, or wire, directed along the wire.

Electric

F_E

Attractive or repulsive force between electrical charges.

Magnetic

F_m

Attractive or repulsive force between magnetic poles.

Buoyancy

F_B

Force exerted between a fluid and an object immersed in the fluid. Pushes upward on the object.

Air Resistance

F_Air

Special type of frictional force that acts upon between an object and the air it travels through, opposing the motion of the object.

Systems

Most simply, a system is a group of objects.
A system is something we can decide, so choosing wisely is very important.
Internal forces are forces that only act between objects within the system
External forces are forces that act between an object in the system and an object outside the system.

System Schemas

Each system is a circle
Each object in a system is listed within the circle
Every force is a line connecting two circles

Helpful Reminders:

Only consider forces that involve the system of interest
Label forces with force type
Dotted lines for NON-CONTACT forces
Direction does not matter
Two forces between the same two objects need two lines!

Force Diagrams

Object of interest is represented as a dot
Each force acting on object of interest is represented as an arrow coming from the dot, in the direction the force acts on the object.
Helpful Reminders:

Direction DOES matter
Show strength with relative length of arrow

Include 3 labels on the force:

TYPE of force
BY other interacting object in the system
ON object of interest

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Forces are Vectors

Forces are vectors, so besides having a magnitude, they have:
DIRECTION.
Vectors (and forces) are sometimes represented as arrows.

Length represents magnitude.
Pointing shows direction.

Adding Vectors

Net Force

The net force [Fnet or ΣF] is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object.

Balanced forces = there is no net force. There is as much force up as down, left as right.
Unbalanced forces = there is a net force. There is more force up or down, and/or left or right.

Balanced or unbalanced? What is the net force?