2.5 Understanding the Effects of a Force Force 1. A force is push or pull exerted on an object. 2.

Force is a vector quantity that has magnitude and direction. 3. The unit of force is Newton ( or kgms-2). Unbalanced Force/ Resultant Force When the forces acting on an object are not balanced, there must be net force acting on it. The net force is known as the unbalanced force or the resultant force. When a force acts on an object, the effect can change the size, shape, stationary state, speed and direction of the object. Newton's Second Law The rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the resultant force acting on the body and is in the same direction. Implication: When there is resultant force acting on an object, the object will accelerate (moving faster, moving slower or change direction). Formula of Force

From Newton's Second Law, we can derived the equation (IMPORTANT: F must be the net force) Summary of Newton's 1st Law and 2nd Law Newton's First Law: When there is no net force acting on an object, the object is either stationary or move with constant speed in a straight line. Newton's Second Law: When there is net force acting on an object, the object will accelerate. Example 1 A box of mass 150kg is placed on a horizontal floor with a smooth surface; find the acceleration of the box when a 300N force is acting on the box horizontally. Answer: F = ma (300) = (150)a -2 a = 2 ms Example 2 A object of mass 50kg is placed on a horizontal floor with a smooth surface. If the velocity of the object changes from stationary to 25.0 m/s in 5 seconds when is acted by a force, find the magnitude of the force that is acting? Answer: We know that we can find the magnitude of a force by using the formula F = ma. The mass m is already given in the question, but the acceleration is not give directly. We can determine the acceleration from the formula .From the formula, F = ma = (50)(5) = 250N The force acting on the box is 250N.

Impulse Impulse is defined as the product of the force (F) acting on an object and the time of action (t). Impulse exerted on an object is equal to the momentum change of the object. Impulse is a vector quantity. Formula of impulse Impulse is the product of force and time. Impulse = F t Impulse = momentum change Impulse = mv mu Impulsive Force Impulsive force is defined as the rate of change of momentum in a reaction. It is a force which acts on an object for a very short interval during a collision or explosion. Effects of impulse vs Force A force determines the acceleration (rate of velocity change) of an object. A greater force produces a higher acceleration. An impulse determines the velocity change of an object. A greater impulse yields a higher velocity change. Examples involving impulsive force: Long Jump The long jump pit is filled with sand to increase the reaction time when athlete land on it. This is to reduce the impulsive force acts on the leg of the athlete because impulsive force is inversely proportional to the reaction time. During a high jump, a high jumper will land on a thick, soft mattress after the jump. This is to increase the reaction time and hence reduces the impulsive force acting on the high jumper. A jumper bends his/her leg during landing. This is to increase the reaction time and hence reduce the impact of impulsive force acting on the leg of the jumper. The crumple zone increases the reaction time of collision during an accident. This causes the impulsive force to be reduced and hence reduces the risk of injuries. Prevent the driver and passengers from being flung forward or thrown out of the car during an emergency break. The inflated airbag during an accident acts as a cushion to lessen the impact when the driver flings forward hitting the steering wheel or dashboard. Reduce neck injury when driver and passengers are thrown backwards when the car is banged from backward. Shatter-proof glass is used so that it will not break into small pieces when broken. This may reduce injuries caused by scattered glass Cover with soft material. This may increases the reaction time and hence reduce the impulsive force when passenger knocking on it in accident. The steering will swing away from drivers chest during collision. This may reduce the impulsive force acting on the driver. Prevent the wheels from locking when brake applied suddenly by adjusting the pressure of the brake fluid. This can prevents the car from skidding. Made of elastic material so that it can increases the reaction time and hence reduces the impulsive force caused by collision. The body of the car is made from strong, rigid steel cage. This may prevent the car from collapsing on the passengers during a car crash.

High Jump

Jumping

Crumble Zone Seat Belt Airbag Head Rest Windscreen Padded Dashboard

Collapsible Steering Columns Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Bumper Passenger Safety Cell

Gravitational Field A gravitational field as a region in which an object experiences a force due to gravitational attraction. Gravitational Field Strength The gravitational field strength at a point in the gravitational field is the gravitational force acting on a mass of 1 kg placed at that point. The unit of gravitational field strength is N/kg. The gravitational field strength is denoted by the symbol "g".