Force

Force is a push or a pull.

A force can….
• move a stationary object
• stop a moving object
• change the shape / size of an object
• change the direction / speed of an object
Unit of force is NEWTON (N).
Force can be measured with a spring
balance.

Examples: Friction, weight, air resistance,

electrostatic force, magnetic forces.
Balanced forces
If the forces acts on a body is balanced:
it stay at rest
or
it moves with constant speed.
If the forces acts on the body is balanced,
then the resultant force is zero.
Example 1:

Resultant force = 6000 − 6000 = 0 N

Example 2:

Resultant force = 500 − 500 = 0 N

Newton’s first law of motion
If the forces acting on a body is
balanced, then
If it is at rest, it will continue to stay at
rest.
If it is moving, it will keep on moving at
a constant speed in a straight line.

For example :
A book is on the table it will remain on
table until an external Net force acts
on it
A car will continue moving with
Unbalanced forces
Unbalanced forces causes
a stationary body to move
Or
a moving body to change its
velocity
If the forces acts on a body is
unbalanced , then there will be a
resultant force.
Example 1:

Resultant force = 5000 − 1500 = 3500 N

The forces act on a car is unbalance, so it
accelerates because forward force is greater
than backward force.
Example 2:

Resultant force = 6000 − 2000 = 4000 N

Newton’s second law of motion
The acceleration of the body is directly
proportional to the direction of force applied and
inversely proportional to the mass of the body.

The greater the mass of an object, the smaller

acceleration it is given by a particular force.

The force, mass and acceleration can be

combined into
the following equation:
Force = mass ×
acceleration
F = ma
Example question
A block of mass 20 kg is pushed along a road
with a force of 30 N. The frictional force is 10
N.

What is the acceleration of the block?

Ans: F = ma
a=? a = F/m = 20/20
F = 30 – 10 = 20N a = 1m/s2
m = 20kg
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30

2. What is the acceleration of the model car

below.

IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry

Dynamics
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31

Resultant force = 18 N −
1. Find the resultant force

10 N = 8 N

F=m×a
2. Use the equation

8 N = 2 kg
×aa=4
m/𝑠 2

IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry

Dynamics
Newton’s third law of motion
To every action there is an equal but
opposite reaction.

i.e. If object A exerts a force on object B

(action), then object B will exert an equal
but opposite force on object A
(reaction).

Examples: firing gun, hammering a nail,

book kept on a table and launching
rocket.
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53

11. A person just supports a mass of 20 kg

suspended from a rope.

What is the resultant force acting on the

mass?
A. 0N
B. 10 N
C. 20 N
IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry
Dynamics
D. 200 N
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38

8. A resultant of 16 N causes a mass

force to rate of
accelerate at the 5
m/s2. Determinethe mass.
F=m×a
16 = m ×
5 m/𝑠 2
m = 3.2 kg

IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry

Dynamics
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35

5. A car has a mass of 800 kg. its engine

provides a forward force of 400 N. There is
a frictional force of 160 N, acting to
oppose the car’s motion. What is the
resultant force acting on the car? What
is its acceleration?
Resultant force = 400 N − 160 N =
240 N
F=m×a
240 N = 800 kg ×a
IGCSE/O level
a = @Aftab
0.3Chaudhry
m/𝑠 2 Dynamics
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40

10. When a force of 6 N is applied to a block of

mass 2
kg. It moves along a table at constant
velocity.

Force of Friction = 6 N
A) What is the force of friction?

B) When the force is increased to 10 N,

Resultant force = 10 N −6N=4

what is the resultant force?

F=m ×a
C) the acceleration?
IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry
Dynamics
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v−
D) the velocity, if it accelerates from rest for 10

a u
seconds?

t
=
v−
2
10
=
0
v = 20
m/s

IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry

Dynamics
Friction
Friction is the force which opposes motion.
i.e., stopping
force
It always acts opposite to the direction of
travel.

Friction can be reduced by adding lubricants.

e.g. lubricating oil, grease.
Cause of friction
Molecules in materials have a tendency
to stick to each other when materials
are pressed or rubbed together.

Nature of the surface: rough surfaces

have more friction due to up’s and
down’s which catch each other.
Advantages of friction
Friction helps us to walk
Friction helps us to hold the objects
Friction helps us to stop a moving
object.
Disadvantages of friction
Machine parts rub together and
become lose
Shoes and clothes wear and tear
It heats up the moving parts and some
energy is wasted in the form of heat.
Effects of friction on the motion of a
vehicle
Tyre surface
If the vehicle is having more tyre
surface, then the frictional force acting
on it will be more.
If tyre surface of vehicle is less, then
the frictional force acting on it will be
less.
Road conditions
If the road is having rough surface, the
frictional force will be more.

If the road is having smooth surface,

the frictional force will be less.
Thinking distance (How far object travels
just before brake applied.)
If the vehicle is having more tyre surface,
thinking distance will be less.
If the vehicle is having less tyre surface,
thinking distance will be more.
If the road is having rough surface, thinking
distance will less.
If the road is having smooth surface,
thinking distance will be more.
If the vehicle has more mass or loaded,
thinking distance will be more.
If the vehicle has less mass, thinking
distance will be less.
If the vehicle travels with high speed,
Braking distance (How far object travels
after brake applied.)
If the vehicle is having more tyre surface,
braking distance will be less.
If the vehicle is having less tyre surface,
braking distance will be more.
If the road is having rough surface, braking
distance will less.
If the road is having smooth surface, braking
distance will be more
If the vehicle has more mass or loaded,
braking distance will be more.
If the vehicle has less mass, braking distance
will be less.
If the vehicle travels with high speed, braking
Braking force (It is the amount of force applied to
stop the object.)
If the vehicle is having more tyre surface, we have to
apply less braking force to stop the vehicle.
If the vehicle is having less tyre surface, we have to
apply more braking force to stop the vehicle.
If the road is having rough surface, we have to apply
less braking force to stop the vehicle.
If the road is having smooth surface, we have to apply
more braking force to stop the vehicle.
If the vehicle has more mass or loaded, we have to
apply more braking force to stop the vehicle.
If the vehicle has less mass, we have to apply less
braking force to stop the vehicle.
If the vehicle travels with high speed, we have to
apply more braking force to stop the vehicle.
Circular motion
When any object is moving in a circular
path, then the object is in circular
motion.

Objects are moving in circular path due

to constant force acting towards center
of the circle. This force is called
centripetal force.
The centripetal force will increase:
If the mass of the object increased
If the speed of the object increased
If the radius of the circle reduced.

The planets are orbiting around the sun

due to constant gravitational force acting
towards the sun
The satellites are orbiting around the
earth due to constant gravitational force
acting towards the earth.
The electrons are orbiting around the
nucleus due to constant electrostatic
force acting towards nucleus of the atom.