Physics Module

Title: Newton's Laws of Motion, Work, Energy, Power, and Fluid Mechanics
Grade Level: Senior High School

Prepared by: [Your Name]

Objective:

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. Understand Newton's Laws of Motion and apply them to real-life situations.
2. Explain the concepts of work, energy, and power.
3. Analyze the basic principles of fluid mechanics.

Module Content

I. Newton’s Laws of Motion

A. Key Concepts

1. First Law (Law of Inertia):

- An object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion unless
acted upon by an external force.
- Example: A book on a table stays in place unless pushed.

Problem 1:

A hockey puck slides across frictionless ice at a constant speed of 10 m/s. If no external
forces act on the puck, what will happen to its motion?

Solution:

According to Newton's first law, an object in motion will continue in motion with a constant
velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Since there's no friction (an external force)
acting on the puck, it will continue to slide at a constant velocity of 10 m/s.

Answer: The puck will continue to slide at a constant velocity of 10 m/s.

Problem 2:

A ball is placed on a smooth, level surface. If the ball is not pushed or pulled, what will
happen to its motion?

Solution:
The ball will remain at rest. This is because Newton's first law states that an object at rest
will remain at rest unless acted upon by an external force. Since no external force is acting
on the ball, it will stay motionless.

Answer: The ball will remain at rest.

Problem 3:

A car is traveling at a constant speed of 60 km/h. If the engine is turned off and there's no
friction, what will happen to the car's motion?

Solution:

The car will continue to move at a constant speed of 60 km/h in a straight line. This is
because Newton's first law states that an object in motion will continue in motion with a
constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Since there's no external force
acting on the car, it will maintain its constant velocity.

Answer: The car will continue to move at a constant speed of 60 km/h in a straight line.

Problem 4: The Seatbelt Safety

Why do you need to wear a seatbelt in a moving car?

Solution:

When a car suddenly stops, your body, due to inertia, tends to continue moving forward at
the same speed as the car was traveling. A seatbelt provides an external force to decelerate
your body along with the car, preventing you from being thrown forward.

Problem 5: The Leaping Cat

A cat is sitting on a car's dashboard. When the car suddenly turns right, the cat slides to the
left side of the dashboard. Why does this happen?

Solution:

The cat's body, due to inertia, tends to continue moving in a straight line. When the car
turns right, the cat's body resists this change in direction, causing it to slide to the left
relative to the car.

Problem 6; The Toppling Tower

Why is it difficult to topple a tall, narrow tower without applying a significant force?

Solution:
A tall, narrow tower has a large mass concentrated at its base. This large mass increases the
tower's inertia, making it resistant to changes in its state of rest. To topple it, a significant
force is required to overcome this inertia.

Problem 7:: The Hockey Puck Glide

A hockey puck slides across the ice at a constant speed. If there is no friction, what will
happen to the puck's motion?

Solution:

According to Newton's first law, an object in motion will continue in motion with a constant
velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Since there's no friction (external force)
acting on the puck, it will continue to slide at a constant speed in a straight line.

Problem 8: The Suspended Object

An object is suspended from a string. If the string is suddenly cut, what will happen to the
object?

Solution:

Before the string is cut, the object is at rest. When the string is cut, there is no longer an
external force acting on the object. Due to inertia, the object will remain at rest until another
force, such as gravity, acts upon it, causing it to fall.

Problem 9

A 1675 kilogram car is moving to the right at a constant velocity of 25ms. What is the net
force exerted on the car?

Possible Answers:

250N

100N

2500N

50N

0N

Correct answer:

0N

Explanation:
Recall Newton's first law of motion: an object will remain in its state of uniform motion
unless acted upon by an external force. The car's motion is described as having a constant
velocity which is a uniform state so there are no external forces.

2. Second Law (F = ma):

- Force equals mass times acceleration.
- Example: A heavier car requires more force to accelerate than a lighter car.

Problem 1:

A 10 kg box is pushed with a force of 20 N. What is the acceleration of the box?

Solution:

We know that F = ma, where F is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration.

Rearranging the formula to solve for acceleration: a = F/m

Substituting the values: a = 20 N / 10 kg

Answer: a = 2 m/s²

Problem 2:

A 5 kg object accelerates at a rate of 3 m/s². What is the net force acting on the object?

Solution:

Using the formula F = ma,

F = 5 kg * 3 m/s²

Answer: F = 15 N

Problem 3:

A net force of 12 N acts on a 3 kg object. What is the object's acceleration?

Solution:

Using the formula a = F/m,

a = 12 N / 3 kg

Answer: a = 4 m/s²

Problem 4:

A 2 kg ball is thrown with a force of 10 N. What is the ball's acceleration?

Solution:

Using the formula a = F/m,

a = 10 N / 2 kg

Answer: a = 5 m/s²

Problem 5:

A 40 kg crate is pushed across a floor with a force of 80 N. If the frictional force acting
on the crate is 20 N, what is the acceleration of the crate?

Solution:

First, we need to find the net force acting on the crate.

Net force = Applied force - Frictional force = 80 N - 20 N = 60 N

Now, we can use the formula a = F/m,

a = 60 N / 40 kg

Answer: a = 1.5 m/s²

Problem 6

A 1000kg spaceship travels in the vacuum of space at a constant speed of 500ms.

Ignoring any gravitational forces, what is the net force on the spaceship?

Possible Answers:

500N

2N

0N

500000N

50N

Correct answer:

0N

Explanation:

In a vacuum, there is no friction due to air resistance. Newton's first law states that an
object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net force. Thus the spaceship
will travel at the constant speed (zero acceleration) of 500ms indefinitely and the net
force on the spaceship must be zero. This can also be shown mathematically:

F=ma

F=(1000kg)(0ms2)=0N

3. Third Law (Action-Reaction):

- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
- Example: When you jump, you push the ground downward, and the ground pushes you
upward.

Problem 1: Rocket Launch

Problem: A rocket exerts a force of 1,000,000 N on the surrounding gases. What is the force
exerted by the gases on the rocket?

Solution:

According to Newton's Third Law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
So, if the rocket exerts a force of 1,000,000 N on the gases, the gases exert an equal force of
1,000,000 N on the rocket in the opposite direction.

Answer: 1,000,000 N

Problem 2: Swimming

Problem: When a swimmer pushes against the water, they move forward. Explain this in
terms of Newton's Third Law.

Solution:

When a swimmer pushes the water backward (action), the water pushes the swimmer
forward with an equal and opposite force (reaction). This forward force propels the
swimmer.

Problem 3: Jumping

Problem: When you jump, you push down on the ground. Why do you move upward?

Solution:

As you push down on the ground (action), the ground pushes up on you with an equal and
opposite force (reaction). This upward force propels you into the air.

Problem 4: Hammer and Nail

Problem: When you hit a nail with a hammer, the hammer exerts a force on the nail. What
force does the nail exert on the hammer?

Solution:

The nail exerts an equal and opposite force on the hammer. This is why you feel the impact
in your hand.

Problem 5: Car Crash

Problem: In a car crash, a car collides with a wall. Explain the forces involved in terms of
Newton's Third Law.

Solution:

The car exerts a force on the wall (action). The wall exerts an equal and opposite force on
the car (reaction). This force causes the car to decelerate rapidly, often resulting in damage
to the car and injury to the occupants.

Problem 6: Balloon Launch

Problem: When you release a balloon filled with air, it moves upward. Explain why.

Solution:

As the air is expelled from the balloon downward (action), the balloon is propelled
upward by an equal and opposite force (reaction).

Problem 7: Walking

Problem: Explain how Newton's Third Law applies to the act of walking.

Solution:

When you walk, you push backward against the ground with your feet (action). In
response, the ground pushes forward on your feet with an equal and opposite force
(reaction). This forward force propels you forward.

B. Applications
Space exploration, vehicle design, and sports.

C. Activity
Perform a simple experiment: Drop two objects of different masses. Discuss how gravity
and air resistance affect them.
II. Work, Energy, and Power

A. Key Concepts

1. Work (W):
- Work is done when a force is applied to an object, and it moves in the direction of the
force.
- Formula: W = Fd cos θ

2. Energy:
- Kinetic Energy (KE): Energy of motion. KE = (1/2)mv^2
- Potential Energy (PE): Energy of position. PE = mgh

3. Power (P):
- The rate of doing work.
- Formula: P = W/t

B. Applications
Power in machines, energy conservation, and renewable energy sources.

C. Activity
Calculate the energy required to lift a 10-kg box to a height of 5 meters.

III. Fluid Mechanics

A. Key Concepts

1. Pressure (P):
- Pressure is the force per unit area.
- Formula: P = F/A

2. Archimedes’ Principle:
- A body immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of
the displaced fluid.
- Application: Ships float even though they are heavy.

3. Bernoulli’s Principle:
- Faster-moving fluids exert less pressure than slower-moving fluids.
- Application: Airplane wings create lift due to pressure differences.

B. Applications
Hydraulics, weather patterns, and water distribution systems.
C. Activity
Demonstrate Bernoulli's principle using a piece of paper: Blow over a strip of paper and
observe how it lifts.

Assessment

1. Multiple-choice questions on Newton’s Laws, Work-Energy, and Fluid Mechanics.

2. Problem-solving exercises involving force, work, and pressure.
3. Conduct an experiment and submit observations.

Conclusion
Physics connects abstract principles to practical real-world scenarios. Understanding these
concepts enhances our ability to analyze and solve problems in daily life.