Chapter 1

Introduction to Forces and Motion

 What is a force?

 Force – a push or pull exerted on an object in order to

change the motion of an object
 Motion – the process of an object moving, changing
place or changing position

* Forces affect how objects move*

What is Force?

 A force is a push or pull that causes an object to

move faster or slower, stop, change direction,
or change size or shape.

 Without force, nothing would ever move.

Magnetic Force
Magnetism is the force of pushing or pulling between
magnetic poles. It acts at a distance and cannot be
seen.

Materials that create this force are said to be

magnetic and are called magnets.
 When like poles of magnets are near each other, a
repulsive force exists, and the magnets move away
from each other if the force is great enough.

When opposite poles of magnets are near each other,

an attractive force exists and the magnets move
toward each other if the force is great enough.

The closer the objects, the greater the magnetic force.

The magnetic force is greatest at the poles of
magnets.

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot/flash/concepts/magneticforces.htm
Let’s look at what we already know about forces.
What would happen with these pairs of magnets?
Will they attract or repel each other?
Write and draw what you think will happen, and
then we will see if you are correct.

1.

2.

3.
Gravitational Force

Gravity is a
force that pulls
all objects
toward each
other.

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot/flash/concepts/gravity.htm
•The force of gravity causes two objects of
different weights to fall to the ground at the
same time.

•The force of gravity is a pull that attracts

objects to each other. This attraction is not
noticeable unless one of the objects is very large
(like a planet, moon, or the Sun). The force of
gravity between Earth and anything on it is
extremely noticeable because the mass of Earth
is so large.

•The pull of Earth’s gravity makes any object fall

to the ground. As The Moon goes around
Earth, its gravity pulls on Earth causing water in
the oceans to move toward the Moon.
•Earth’s gravity also pulls on
the Moon. This force of gravity
keeps the Moon moving
around Earth. Similarly, the
pull of the Sun’s gravity keeps
Earth moving around the Sun.

http://www.seed.slb.com/en/scictr/watch/skydiving/galileo_pisa.htm
Which will hit the ground first?

They travel at
the same speed!
The size of the
mass does not
change the rate
of speed that
objects fall.
Which will hit the ground first?

The paper was

slowed by air
getting trapped
under as it fell.
Shape of object
may affect the
speed in which
it falls!
 Frictional Forces
 Friction is the force that is applied by a surface
as an object moves across it.

 It is always present when two surfaces rub

together.

 Friction is affected by the nature of the surface

(bumpy, smooth) and upon the degree to which
they are pressed together .

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot/flash/concepts/friction.htm
Friction

Some forces can be seen when a moving object is

touching another object, for example, a toy
sliding across a table and slowing down.

Friction is the force that opposes motion between

two surfaces that are touching.

The rougher the surfaces are, and the harder they

press together, the more friction there will be.
Friction

Friction can be reduced by using lubricants (like motor oil, wax, or grease), by
making surfaces smoother, or by using rollers.

Friction occurs in liquids and gases as well as between solids.

Without friction, it would be very hard to slow or stop the motion of objects.
 high

high

low

low

low

low
 The effect of
friction can be
changed in the
following ways:
 The rougher the surface, the greater the friction.

 Smooth surfaces reduce friction.

So, carpets have more friction that tile floors.

Soles of shoes have rough textures to increase
friction between the shoes and the floor so that it
is possible to walk without slipping
Amount of Surface Area

 The greater the surface area, the greater the friction.

 If more surface of an object touches another

object, the friction will be greater. If tires of a
car or truck are larger, more surface area of the
tire will touch the road making friction greater.
Trucks have larger tires to make it easier for them
to stop or slow down.
Lubrication

 Lubricants- a
substance put on a
surface to reduce Without
friction lubrication,
moving parts of
machines would
slow down or
stop very
We use oil in a car to
reduce friction on the quickly.
motor.
Balanced and Unbalanced
Forces

 http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot/flash/conc
epts/balancedandun.htm
Balanced Forces

 Balanced forces are forces

equal in size and opposite in
direction.

 Neither object moves because

it is equal in both directions.
 Balanced Force

 Balanced forces – forces in opposite directions and equal size ,

there is no change in motion , the net force = 0 N
Example : 2 men pulling a rope with 100 N of force in opposite
directions no movement takes place

 Unbalanced forces – forces produce a change in motion when

the net force is not = 0 N , unbalanced forces are necessary to
cause a nonmoving object to start moving
Example : 2 dogs pulling a rope, 1 with 10N, 1 with 12N so the
next force would = 2N to the right motion
Motion

No Motion
Unbalanced Force

Unbalanced forces occur when one force is greater than its opposite force. They
cause the object’s motion to speed up, slow down, or stop. The object moves
in the direction applied by the greater force.

Unbalanced forces cause a non-moving object to start moving. They affect the
rate and direction of motion in objects.
Unbalanced Force
Think of the game tug-of-war:

If you are the only one pulling on your side, and on the other
side there are three people pulling, the forces are
unbalanced because it is three pulling against one.
However, if three people were on each side, the forces would
be more balanced, making the rope move less quickly.

The Jeep pulling the car is another example of an unbalanced force

because the Jeep has a bigger and more powerful force.

If the Jeep was pulling another Jeep, the forces would be balanced and
neither would move very far because the force being used is the same
amount.
A change in force or
mass affects the
motion of an object
as follows:
Force

 As the force increases, the speed of an object

increases.
 As the force applied to an object is decreased, the
object will move slower than the object that was
given a greater push or pull.
 If there is no friction (for example, in outer space),
an object that is already moving does not need a
force to keep it moving.
 Because of friction, however, an object slows or stops
eventually.
Mass

 As the mass increases, the speed of an object

decreases if the force remains the same.
 The speed decreases as the object’s mass increases.
 It is much harder to change the speed of a heavy
object than a light object.
 An object with a small mass is easier to stop or cause
a change in motion than an object with a large mass.
 Lets focus on motion first..
What is a reference point?
 A place or object used for comparison to
determine if an object is in motion
 It appears to stay in place
When can we see unbalanced forces acting
around us?
Every time we stand
When we lean on a wall
When you hold a book
What are the unbalanced forces in this
launch?

Which is stronger?
Look at the
direction of
motion
 Forces acting on an object
 We can experience the force of friction and the force of gravity
 Friction - is a force that resists motion and we experience daily.
 The force of friction is caused by microscopic particles touching
each other. These microscopic pieces on both surfaces cause
friction Ex. Walking
The force of friction is
opposite to the motion

force applied by person stationary box

pushing box

static friction force

 Forces acting on an object
 Forces are present all around us and always act in pairs, so we
usually experience more than one force.
 Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards each other.
 Question*
How does gravity act on objects here on Earth?
 Gravity

 Gravity causes all objects to accelerate toward earth at a rate of

9.8 m/s2
 Law of universal gravitation- force of gravity acts between all
objects in the universe
 gravity is always pushing objects down to the center of earth…
that’s why you don’t float into space every time you jump!
Gravity slows and stops motion (think about a falling baseball)
 Newton and the Study of Gravity
In 1665, British scientist Sir Isaac
Newton made a discovery when, as
legend has it, he saw an apple falling
from a tree. Newton knew that
unbalanced forces are needed to
change the motion of objects. He
concluded that an unbalanced force
on the apple made the apple fall.

He also reasoned that an

unbalanced force on the moon kept
the moon moving around the Earth.
He proposed that these two forces are
actually the same force––gravity.
What is the difference between weight and
mass?
 Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object -(this
never changes, no matter where the object is)
 Weight is a measure of the gravitational force on an object.
 Weight = mass and gravity
- Friction and Gravity
 Lets talk about inertia

 What is inertia? -The tendency of an object to resist a change in

motion.
 Example: the car stops, but your body moves forward
 The rollercoaster moves right, but your body moves left
 This will lead into the next part of our unit
 Concept Check

 What did we learn so far?

Other examples of forces
 What is a force?

 IPC definition: A push or a pull exerted on

some object

 Better definition: Force represents the

interaction of an object with its environment

 The Unit for Force is a Newton

kgm
1N  1 2
s
Two major types of forces

 Contact Forces: Result from physical contact between two objects

 Examples: Pushing a cart, Pulling suitcase

 Field Forces: Forces that do not involve physical contact

 Examples: Gravity, Electric/Magnetic Force
Force is a vector! (yay more vectors )

 The effect of a force depends on magnitude and direction

Force Diagrams

 Force Diagram: A diagram that shows all the forces acting in a situation
Free Body Diagrams p.127

 Free Body Diagrams (FBDs) isolate an object and show only the forces acting
on it

 FBDs are essential! They are not optional! You need to draw them to get most
problems correct!
How to draw a free body diagram

Situation: A tow truck is pulling a car

(p. 127)
We want to draw a FBD for the car only.
Steps for drawing your FBD

 Step 1: Draw a shape representing the

car (keep it simple)

 Step 2: Starting at the center of the

object, Draw and label all the external
forces acting on the object
Force of Tow
Truck on Car=
5800 N
Add force of gravity

Force of Tow
Truck on Car=
5800 N

Gravitational
force (Weight
of car)=
14700 N
Add force of the road on the car
(Called the Normal Force)
Normal Force =
13690 N

Force of Tow
Truck on Car=
5800 N

Gravitational
force (Weight
of car)=
14700 N
Finally add the force of friction acting on the
car
Normal Force =
13690 N

Force of Tow
Force of Friction= 775 N
Truck on Car=
5800 N

Gravitational
force (Weight
of car)=
14700 N
A Free Body Diagram of a Football Being
Kicked

Fkick

Fg
A person is pushed forward with a force of 185 N.
The weight of the person is 500 N, the floor exerts
a force of 500 N up. The friction force is 30 N.

FN= 500 N

Ff= 30 N Fapp= 185 N

Fg= 500 N
Forces you will need

Symbol of Description
Force
Fg Gravitational Force is the Weight of
the Object (equal to mass x g= mg)
FN Normal Force= Force acting
perpendicular to surface of contact
Ff Frictional Force- Opposes applied
force; acts in direction opposite of
motion
Fapp Applied Force
Sample Problem p. 128 #3

 Draw a free body diagram of a football being kicked. Assume that the only
forces acting on the ball are the force of gravity and the force exerted by the
kicker.
 Newton’s 1st Law of Motion

 The Law of Inertia

 An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion continues in motion with
constant velocity (constant speed in straight line) unless the object experiences a
net external force

 The tendency of an object not to accelerate is called inertia

Acceleration

 The net external force (Fnet) is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an
object

 If an object accelerates (changes speed or direction) then a net external

force must be acting upon it
Equilibrium

 If an object is at rest (v=0) or moving at constant velocity, then according to

Newton’s First Law, Fnet =0

 When Fnet =0, the object is said to be in equilibrium

How do we use this information?
Sample Problem

 A crate is pulled to the right with a force of 82.0 N, to

the left with a force of 115 N, upward with a force of
565 N and downward with a force of 236 N.

 A. Find the net external force in the x direction

 B. Find the net external force in the y direction
 C. Find the magnitude and direction of the net external force
on the crate.
Step 1: Draw a FBD
Fup = 565 N

Fleft = 115 N Fright = 82 N

Fdown = 236 N
Find the vector sum of forces

 A. 82 N + (-115 N )= -33 N

 B. 565 N + (-236 N) = 329 N

 C. Find the resultant of the two vectors from part a and b.

R = 331 N at 84.3 North of West

329 N

33 N
Newton’s 1st Law

 Review Newton’s 1st Law:

 When Fnet=0, an object is in equilibrium and will stay at rest or stay in motion

 In other words, if the net external force acting on an object is zero, then the
acceleration of that object is zero
Newton’s 2nd Law (p.137)

 The acceleration of an object is

directly proportional to the net
external force acting on the
Fnet
a
object and inversely proportional
to the object’s mass

m
Example p. 138 # 4

 A 2.0 kg otter starts from rest at the top of a muddy incline 85 cm long and
slides down to the bottom in 0.50 s. What net external force acts on the otter
along the incline?
Solving the problem

 To calculate Fnet, we need m and a

 M=2.0 kg
 What is a?
 Vi= 0 m/s, t=0.50 s,
 displacement=85 cm=.85 m

 Welcome back kinematic equations! 

 1 2
x  vi t  at
2

x  vi t 0.85m  00.50 m
a   6.8 2
1 2
t
1
0.502 s
2 2

 m
Fnet  ma  2kg 6.8 2   14 N
 s 
Newtons’ 3rd Law

 Forces always exist in pairs

 For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

 Action- Reaction Pairs

Some action-reaction pairs:

Although the forces are the same, the
accelerations will not be unless the objects
have the same mass.
Everyday Forces

 Weight= Fg = mg

 Normal Force= FN= Is always perpendicular to the surface.

 Friction Force= Ff
 Opposes applied force
 There are two types of friction: static and kinetic
Static Friction

Force of Static Friction (Fs) is a resistive force that keeps objects stationary

As long as an object is at rest:

Fs = -Fapp
Kinetic Friction

 Kinetic Friction (Fk) is the frictional force on an object in motion

Coefficients of Friction

 The coefficient of friction (μ) is the ratio of

the frictional force to the normal force

 Coefficient of kinetic Friction

Fk Kinetic Friction Force
Coefficien t of Kinetic Friction   k  
FN Normal Force

 Coefficient of Static Friction

Fs Static Friction Force
Coefficien t of Static Friction   s  
FN Normal Force
Sample Problem p. 145 #2

 A 25 kg chair initially at rest on a horizontal floor requires a 365 N horizontal

force to set it in motion. Once the char is in motion, a 327 N horizontal force
keeps it moving at a constant velocity.
 A. Find coefficient of static friction
 B. Find coefficient of kinetic friction
Coefficient of Static Friction

 In order to get the chair moving, it was

necessary to apply 365 N of force to
overcome static friction. Therefore Fs = 365
N.

 The normal force is equal to the weight of

the chair (9.81 x 25= 245 N)

F s 365 N
s    1.5
FN 245 N
Coefficient of Kinetic Friction
 The problem states that the chair is moving with constant
velocity, which means Fnet=0. Therefore, Fapp must equal -Fk.

Fk= 327 N Fapplied= 327 N

Solve for Coefficient of Kinetic Friction

Fk 327 N
k    1.3
FN 245 N
Forces at an angle

 A woman is pulling a box to the right at an angle of 30 above the horizontal.

The box is moving at a constant velocity. Draw a free body diagram for the
situation.
FBD FN= Normal Force
Fapp= Applied Force

F app,y

Ff= Friction Force F app,x

Fg=Weight
What is Fnet?

 Since the suitcase is moving with constant

velocity, Fnet=0.

 That means the forces in the x direction have

to cancel out and the forces in y direction have
to cancel out
 Fk = Fapp,x

 FN + Fapp,y = Fg

 NOTICE THAT NORMAL FORCE DOES NOT EQUAL

WEIGHT IN THIS SITUATION
Let’s do an example.

 A 925 N crate is being pushed across a level floor by a force F of 325 N at an

angle of 25 above the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.25.
Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the crate.
What do we need to know?

Fnet
So we need mass and Fnet. a
m
We have weight (925 N). So what is mass?
weight 925N
mass    94.3 kg
g m
9.81 2
s

How to find Fnet?

Find vector sum of forces acting on crate.
FBD FN= Normal Force
Fapp= 325 N

F app,y

Ff= Friction Force F app,x

Fg=Weight=925 N
Finding Fnet,y

 Is box accelerating in y direction?

 No. Therefore Fnet in y direction is 0

 So FN + Fapp,y = Fg

 So FN = Fg- Fapp,y= 925 N- 325sin(25)

 FN= 787.65 N
Finding Fnet,x

 Is box accelerating in x direction?

 Yes. Therefore Fnet,x is not 0

 Fnet,x= Fapp,x – Ff
 Fapp,x = Fappcos(25)=294.6 N

 Use coefficient of friction to find Ff

 Ff=μFN=(0.25)(787N)=197 N
Finish the Problem

 Fnet,x = 294 N – 197 N= 97 N

 So now we know that the Fnet on the box is

97 N since Fnet,y is 0
Fnet 97 N m
a   1.03 2
m 94 .3kg s
Another example. P. 154 #54 part a

 A box of books weighing 319 N is shoved across

the floor by a force of 485 N exerted downward at
an angle of 35° below the horizontal.

 If μk between the floor and the box is 0.57, how

long does it take to move the box 4.00 m starting
from rest?
 DRAW FBD
FN

Fapp,x
Ff
Fapp,y

Fg=319 N
Fapp= 485 N
Find Fnet

 Is box accelerating in y direction?

 No. Therefore Fnet in y direction is 0

 So FN = Fapp,y + Fg

 So FN = 485sin(35) + 319 N= 598 N

Fnet,x

Is box accelerating in x direction?

Yes. Therefore Fnet,x is not 0

Fnet,x= Fapp,x – Ff
Fapp,x = 485cos(35)=397.29 N

Use coefficient of friction to find Ff

Ff=μFN=(0.57)(598)=341 N

Fnet, x = 397.29- 341= 57.29 N

 So now we know that the Fnet on the box is
57.29 N since Fnet,y is 0

Weight of box is 319 N.

Find mass by dividing by 9.81
m= 32.52 kg

Fnet 57 .29 N m
a   1.76 2
m 32 .52 kg s
Finish the problem

 We want to know how long it

m m
takes for the box to move 4.00 x  4m vi  0 a  1.76 2
s s
m.

 Find vf so that you can solve for t

m
v f  v  2ax  3.8
2
i
s
 Solve for t
m m
v f  vi 3.8 s  0 s
t   2.13s
a m
1.76 2
s
Forces on An Incline

 A block slides down a ramp that is inclined at 30° to the horizontal. Write an
expression for the normal force and the net force acting on the box.
Draw a Free Body Diagram
FF FN

θ
Fg,y

Fg
θ

Fg,x
Closer look at gravity triangle.

 Solve for Fg,y and Fg,x

θ
 cos( )
Fg,y
, y mg
a Fg , y
Fgcos
h Fg Fg

Fgsin( mg
o sin(
,x  )  
F  ) g ,x
Fg,x
h Fg
Coordinate system for inclined planes
Fnet in the y direction

 When a mass is sliding down an inclined plane, it is not moving in the y

direction.

 Therefore Fnet,y =0 and all the forces in the y direction cancel out.
Forces In the y-direction

 So what are the forces acting in the y direction?

 Look at your FBD

 We have normal force and Fg,y

 Since they have to cancel out…

FN= mgcos(θ)
Forces in the x direction

 What is the force that makes the object slide down the inclined plane?

 Gravity…but only in the x direction

Remember that Vectors can be
moved parallel to themselves!!
FF FN

θ
Fg,y

Fg
θ

Fg,x
Forces in the x direction

 So what are the forces acting in the x direction?

 Friction Force (Ff) and Gravitational Force (Fg,x)

 If the box is in equlibrium

 Fg,x = Ff

 If the box is accelerating

 Fnet= Fg,x - Ff
What if there is an additional applied force?
 Example: a box is being pushed up an inclined plane…

Fapp
FN

Fg,x
Ff
Fg,y

θ
In that case…

 FN= mgcosθ

 Fnet = Fapp- Fg,x – Ff

 If the object is in equilibrium then

 Fapp= Fg,x + Ff
An Example p. 153 #40

 A 5.4 kg bag of groceries is in equilibrium on an incline of angle. Find the

magnitude of the normal force on the bag.
Draw a FBD

Ff FN

Fg,x

Fg,y
Fg
θ
Solve the Problem

 The block is in equilibrium so…

 Fnet=0

 Fg,y= FN=mgcosθ=(5.4kg)(9.81)cos(15)

 FN=51 N

 Additionally, what is the force of friction acting on the block?

Find Force of Friction

 Fnet= 0

 Fg,x= Ff= mgsinθ=5.4(9.81)sin(15)

Ff= 13.7N
Example p. 147 #3

 A 75 kg box slides down a 25.0° ramp with an acceleration of 3.60 m/s2.

 Find the μk between the box and the ramp

 What acceleration would a 175 kg box have on this ramp?

FBD

Ff
FN

Fg,x

Fg,y
Fg
θ
What is Fnet?

 They give mass and acceleration

 So Fnet= ma= 75kg x 3.60 m/s2

 Fnet= 270 N

 FN= mgcosθ

 Fnet= Fg,x – Ff=mgsinθ - Ff

Solve for Ff

 Fnet= Fg,x – Ff=mgsinθ – Ff

 Ff= mgsinθ – Fnet

Ff = 75kg(9.8)sin(25) – 270 N

Ff = 40.62 N
Finish the Problem

 We are trying to solve for μk

Ff 40.26N 40.26N
 k    .061
FN mg cos 667N