SMK TAT BENG

PHYSICS
FORM 4

2.5 The Effects of Force

 The Effects of a Force
 Force is defined as an action which will alter the state of
motion of a body in a straight line.
 The symbol for force is F and its SI unit is the newton (N).
 A force is a vector quantity which has magnitude and
direction.
 A force will alter the body in the aspect of:-
(a) size
(b) shape
(c) state of motion
(d) direction of motion
(e) speed
 Examples of Forces That Are Used in Our
Daily Activities

Pushing a box Resistance force that

slows down the motion
of a wooden block

Hitting a golf ball

 Balanced Forces on an Object
 When all the forces acting on an object are balanced,
they cancel out one another and the net force or
resultant force is zero. The object behaves as if there
is no force acting on it.
 Therefore, a stationary object will remain stationary
and a moving object will continue moving with the
same velocity in a straight line.
 Balanced forces do not change the state of rest or
state of motion of an object.
Balanced Forces on an Object
Up

Right
Left

down

Up = Down Left = Right

 Examples of balanced forces
Forces acting on a stationary car are balanced forces
The weight of the car is balanced by the reaction from the
ground acting upwards on the car at the tyres. The net
force acting on the car is zero.
 Examples of balanced forces
Forces acting on an aeroplane causing it to move at
constant velocity are balanced forces.
The lift force is equal to the weight of the aeroplane and the
forward thrust is equal to the drag. The net force acting on
the aeroplane is zero.
 Unbalanced Forces Acting on an Object
 When the forces acting on an object are not balanced,
there will be a net force acting on it.
 This net force is known as the unbalanced force or the
resultant force.
 So, unbalanced forces cause a stationary object to move
or a moving object to accelerate. (change its velocity, i.e.
the magnitude, direction or both).
 For example, when a football player kicks a stationary
football, a force acts on the ball and causes it to move
forward.
Action of Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Forces acting on an object Resultant forces

10N 10N Resultant forces = 0 N.

Forces are balanced

10N 15N Resultant forces = 5 N.

Forces are unbalanced

8N 7N Resultant forces = 6 N.
10N 5N Forces are unbalanced
 Relationship between Force, Mass and
Acceleration
 Newton's second law of motion states that the rate of
change of momentum is directly proportional (berkadar
secara lansung) to the resultant force and in the same
direction as the force.
 A body of mass m is applied with a force F and its
velocity changes from u to v. The force can be written as
F α rate of change of momentum
F α (mv - mu) / t
or F α m (v-u) / t
But, (v – u) / t = a
Hence, F α ma
F = kma
 Relationship between Force, Mass and
Acceleration
 One newton of force is defined as the magnitude of a
force required to accelerate 1 kg of a body by 1ms-2.
1N = 1 kg X 1 ms-2
= 1 kg m s-2
 Relationship between Force, Mass and
Acceleration (F = ma)
 The action of a force on an object can produce an
acceleration of the object.
 The magnitude of the acceleration of an object
depends on
(a) the mass of the object,
(b) the magnitude of the force acting on object.
 Example 1
A box of mass 3 kg is put on a smooth floor. The box is
pulled horizontally with a force. What is the acceleration of
the box?

Solution
F = 3 N, m = 3 kg
F = ma
a=F/m
=3/3
= 1ms-2
 Example 2
Jack pulls a block of ice on a smooth surface with a force, F. The ice
has a mass of 80 kg.
(a) If the force F = 160 N, calculate the acceleration of the ice.
(b) If the velocity of the ice changes from 0 to 8 ms-1 in 5 s, calculate
the force, F.

Solution
m = 80 kg; F = 160 N
(a) Using F = ma, hence
a=F/m
= 160 / 80
= 2ms-2
(b) Acceleration, a = v – u / t
=8–0/5
= 1.6ms-2
F = ma
= 80 x 1.6
= 128N
 Example 3
Hawker pushes a tank of water with a horizontal force of 45 N.
The total weight of the trolley and water tank is equal to 900N
Calculate
(a) the total frictional force if the hawker moves with uniform
velocity of 5 m s-1,
(b) the acceleration of the hawker if the total frictional force is
equal to 30 N.

Solution
(a) When the velocity is constant, the net external force F = 0
Therefore, the magnitude of the frictional force = 45 N.
(b) The net force, F = 45 – 30 = 15 N
F = ma
a=F/m
= 15 / 900
= 1 / 60 ms-2
 Impulse and Impulsive Force
 Impulse is defined as the change of momentum.
 From F = ma
= m( v – u ) / t
= mv - mu / t
Ft = mu - mv (change of momentum)
 Impulse is the product of the force F acting on a body
and the time t for which the force acts. Hence, impulse =
Ft = my - mu
 The SI unit of impulse is kgms-1 or Ns.
 Impulsive force is the rate of change momentum.
Impulsive force = impulse / time
 The SI unit of impulsive force is kgms-2 or N.
 In a collision, the time interval of the action of the force is
the impulsive force.
 Example 4

Figure above shows the conditions before and after the

collision. of two objects. Determine...
(a) the velocity, v,
(b) the impulse of collision for the object with mass m1,
(c) the impulse of collision for the object with mass m2,
(d) the impulsive force if the time of collision is 2 seconds.
 Example 4
Solution
(a) m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
(1)(10) + (5)(3) = (1)v1 + (5)(6)
v1 = -5 ms-1
(b) Impulse m1, = Change of momentum
= m1(v1 - u1)
= 1 (-5 - 10)
= -15Ns
(c) Impulse m2, = Change of momentum
= m2(v2 – u2)
= 2 (6 - 3)
= 15Ns
(d) F = impulse / time
= 15 / 2
= 7.5 N
Situations Involving Impulsive Forces Effect
of Time on an Impulsive Force
 From the formula for impulsive force, we get
Ft = mv – mu
F = (mv – mu) / t
 This shows that the time of action is very important factor
in the calculation of the impulsive force.
 When the time of action is prolonged, the impulsive force
will decrease.
 On the other hand, if the time of action is shortened, the
impulsive force will increase .
 Ways to Reduce Impulsive Forces
Bending the leg

Jumping from a high position

 Figure above shows a man jumping down.
 The man has to bend his legs to reduce injury.
 When he bends his legs, the time of action (time taken to
land on the ground) will be prolonged.
 This will decrease the impulsive force because the rate
of change of momentum is reduced.
 Ways to Reduce Impulsive Forces
Using a Carpet

 Figures above (a) and (b) show that two eggs are released
from the same height onto a thick carpet and a concrete
floor respectively.
 The egg that lands on the concrete floor undergoes a big
change in momentum (short time of action).
 This increases the impulsive force on the egg and breaks
the egg.
 Meanwhile, the egg that lands on the carpet does not break.
This is due to the long time of action as the thick carpet
slows down the motion of the egg.
 Hence, the impulsive force that acts on the egg is
decreased and the egg does not break.
 Ways to Reduce Impulsive Forces
The Design of a Car
 A car is mainly designed for the safety of the driver.
 The front and the rear parts of the car are made of soft
metal so that the car is easily crumpled during an
accident.

(a) During collision, the time taken for the change in speed
(from a high speed to zero) is prolonged. Since the
impulsive force = Distance / time, the force will
decrease when the time increases.
(b) This will decrease the impulsive force on the
passengers and the driver.
 Ways to Reduce Impulsive Forces
The Design of a Car
 The seats of the passengers are strengthened to protect
the passengers.
 Safety belts:
(a) Passengers have to fasten the safety belts. When the
car stops suddenly, the inertia of the passengers will result
in the passengers being flung to the front and hitting the
windscreen of the car.
(b) Hence, safety belts will slow down the motion of the
passengers.
 Airbags are built in some cars. When an accident happens,
the airbags will be filled with air. This will prolong the time
of action and reduce the impulsive force on the passenger.
 Ways to Reduce Impulsive Forces
Catching the Ball

 Figure above shows a baseball player catching the ball.

 The player moves his hands to the back while catching the
ball.
 This will decrease the rate of change of momentum and
prolong the time of action. This will reduce the impulsive
force.
 Ways to Reduce Impulsive Forces
Storage of Goods

 Goods that are fragile such as eggs, glass, computer and

television are kept in soft polystyrene.
 A soft surface will reduce the impact of a big force on the
goods.
 Hence, a longer time is taken to diffuse the big force.
 The impulsive force will be reduced.
 Ways to Utilise Impulsive Forces
Hockey sticks are made of hard wood
while golf clubs are made of hard alloy.
The hard surface will shorten the
time of contact of the stick with the ball.
Hence, the impulsive force is big and
Hockey stick / golf club
the ball is able to travel a far distance.
A martial arts player is able to break
a pile of bricks with ease.
This is because the hand of the player
moves very fast and stops when it hits
the top brick.
Hence, the time of contact of the hand
with the brick is short and this will
Martial arts Increase the impulsive force on the
bricks.
The bricks are easily broken because
of the big impulsive force..
 Ways to Utilise Impulsive Forces
A piledriver is made of hard steel alloy.
The piledriver is released very fast to hit
the hard pile.
The time taken to hit the pile is short
because both surfaces are hard.
The pile & the piledriver Hence, a big impulsive force is produced
on the pile and it will be driven into the
ground to support the foundation of the
structure of a tall building

The pestle and mortar are made of

hard materials.
During pounding or grinding, the pestle
moves very fast.
The pestle and mortar The mortar stops the motion of
the pestle in a short time
 Example 5
A boy hits a 0.50 kg ball and sends it moving the opposite
direction. Figure above shows the magnitudes of its
velocity before and after being after respectively. The time
of contact between the hand and the ball is 0.05 s.
Calculate
(a) the impulse applied to the ball,
(b) the impulsive force exerted on the ball by the hands.
 Example 5
Solution
(a) Mass of the ball, m = 0.50 kg
By considering the downward velocity as positive,
u= 15 ms-1; v = -20ms-1
Impulse applied to the ball, Ft = mv -mu
= 0.5 x (-20) - 0.5 x 15
= - 17.5N

(b) The time of contact between the hand and the ball, t = 0.05 s
Impulsive force exerted on the ball, F = mv - mu / t
= -17.5N / 0.05s
= -350 N
(The negative sign shows that the force is acting against the
initial direction of motion of the ball)
 Example 6

1. From Figure above, when the boy kicks the 1.2 kg

football, it moves from rest to 15 ms-1 in 0.1 s. Calculate
the impulsive force exerted on the ball.
2. The boy then kicks a rock of the same mass and it
moves from rest to 15 m s However, due to the rigidity
of the rock, the time which the foot acts on the stone is
only 0.01 s. What is the impulsive force exerted on the
ball?
3. From the answers in (a) and (b), what is the relationship
between the time of impact and the impulsive force?
 Example 6
Solution
(a) Impulsive force, F = mv-mu / t
= (1.2 x 15 – 1.2 x 0) / 0.1
= 180N

(b) Impulsive force, F = mv-mu / t

= (1.2 x 15 – 1.2 x 0) / 0.01
= 1800N

(c) The shorter the time of impact, the bigger the impulsive force.
 Example 7
A football of mass 0.6 kg travels at a velocity of 10ms-1
immediately after it is kicked by the goalkeeper. If the ball is in
contact with the goalkeeper's boot for 0.03s, find
(a) the change of momentum of the ball,
(b) the force exerted on the ball.

Solution
m = 0.6 kg, u = 0 m s-1 ,v = 10 ms-1, t = 0.03 s
(a) Change of momentum = mv - mu
= 0.6(10) - 0.6(0)
= 6Ns
(b) Force exerted on the ball, F = (mv – mu) / t
= 6 / 0.03
= 200 N
 Example 8
A 300 g ball is thrown horizontally towards a vertical wall at a
velocity of 12 ms-1. On impact, the ball bounces back horizontally
at a velocity of 10 ms-1. If the ball is in contact with the wall for
0.02 s, find
(a) the impulse,
(b) the force exerted on the ball.

Solution
m= 300g = 0.3 kg, u= 12ms-1, v = -10ms-1, t = 0.02 s
(The final velocity v is given a negative value because the
direction of the ball after the collision is opposite to its original
direction.)
(a) Impulse = mv - mu = 0.3(-10) - 0.3(12) = - 6.6 N s
(b) Force, F = (mv – mu) / t
= -6.6 / 0.02
= -330 N
(The negative sign indicates that the direction of the force is
opposite to the original direction of the ball)
The End