Types and terms regarding

Forces
SCIENCE
Force can be operationally defined based on observed effects. This means that a force
can be described in terms of what it does. However, forces do not always cause motion. It does
not necessarily follow that forces acting on an object will always cause it to move. Any push or
pull is also considered a force.

To accurately describe the forces acting on Terms regarding Force:

an object, let us examine the figure below: Magnitude- size or strength of a force.
Newton is commonly (Meter-Kilogram-Second
(MKS) system) used which is named after Sir Isaac
Newton, an English physicist and mathematician.
Direction- points to where the object goes.
The direction of the arrowhead indicates the direc-
tion of the force. The length of the arrow represents
the amount of force (relative magnitude).
Point of Application- the location of where the force is applied.
Line of Action- the straight line passing through the point of application and is parallel
to the direction of force.

Two Types of Force

Non-contact forces- objects do not

Contact forces- forces where objects
touch or contact with each other. The forces act
touch or make contact with each other.
over a zone or area called field.

Applied- a force given to a Gravitational (Fg)-

person or object by another per- the force of attraction
son or object. Its symbol is F de- between two objects. In
pending on who or what applies the case of the Earth,
force to the object. If a boy applies this gravitational force
a force to a wall, we denote it causes objects to fall down to the ground. Mass
with FBOY. and distance of the two objects affect the gravi-
tational force that holds them. The bigger the
Friction- the force masses of the objects are, the bigger is the gravi-
acting against or tational force between them. The closer the ob-
jects are, the greater is the gravitational force
opposite an object in
between them.
contact with which
makes the movement of the object slow down. The weight of an object
(W), is an example of the gravita-
Friction always opposes the motion of an object.
tional force of the Earth towards
Its symbol is written as Ff. Air resistance de- the object. However, the weight
noted by FAIR. For free-falling objects, this force of an object depends on the mass
is always considered negligible, meaning the of the celestial body where the object is attract-
ed to. Meaning, we seem to be lighter when we
magnitude is unnoticeable.
are on the moon than on the Earth.

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 Types and terms regarding

Forces
SCIENCE
Normal- is the Magnetic-are
force that acts forces exerted on
perpendicular a field of attrac-
tion or repulsion
to the surface as in the case of magnets and other magnetic
of the object in materials. Magnets and magnetic materials have
contact with. Its symbol is FN. two poles – the north and south poles. Attraction
Tension- is the force applied to may occur when two poles are not the same, a
positive and a negative while repulsion takes
string, rope, chain or cable. Its
place with the same poles, positive-positive and
symbol is T.
negative-negative.

Net or Resultant Force

In an object, there may be several forces acting on it. Net force or Resultant force is the sum of
all forces acting on an object. Two or more forces in the same line of action exerted on an object are
balanced if their effects cancel each other.
When an object is at rest, a zero net force would make the object remains at rest. Moreover,
when the object is moving, a zero net force would make the object maintain its velocity at a given
time interval.
On the other hand, when the net force is not zero, the object’s velocity will change. A net force
exerted to an object at rest may cause the object to move. In a moving object, a net force will increase
its velocity when the force is in the same direction of its motion. If the net force is in the opposite direc-
tion of the object’s motion, the force will reduce the object’s velocity. When the net force acts sideways
on a moving object, the direction of the object’s velocity changes.

Balanced Unbalanced
Forces Forces
You must Forces that
know the magnitude and the direction of the cause a change in
force. Suppose two teams are playing tug-of- the motion of an object are unbalanced forc-
war. Each team is pulling with equal magni- es. Unbalanced forces are not equal and in op-
tude of force, FA and FB , on the rope but in posite direction. Suppose that one of the teams
opposite directions. Neither team can make the in tug-of-war, as shown in figure 16, exerts
other team move. Forces that are equal in greater magnitude of force, FB, on the ground
magnitude but opposite in direction are called than the other team, the forces applied on the
balanced forces. Balanced forces do not cause ground would no longer be equal. One team
a change in motion. When balanced forces act would be able to pull the other team in the di-
on an object at rest, the object will not move. rection of the larger force.

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