CHAPTER-9

FORCE AND LAWS OF MOTION

(PART-1)
 PHILOSOPHICAL POINT OF VIEW

Rest is the natural state of the object.

 SCIENTIFICAL POINT OF VIEW

The concept of philosopher that rest is the natural state of any object was totally rejected
by Galileo-Galilei.

 FORCE

The push and pull acting on an object is known as force. A force is a physical quantity
which causes or tends to cause a motion in an object at rest or changes or tends to change
the direction of motion of a moving object or changes or tends to change the size and
shape of an object or changes or tends to change the speed of an object. Force is denoted
by ‘F’.

NOTE: We cannot see the force but the effect of force on a object can be seen on the
object can be seen or felt.

 EFFECTS OF FORCE
1) Force can change the speed of the object from zero to certain value and vice-
versa:
a) If we kick the ball which is at rest it starts moving.
b) Cricket player catches the moving ball.
2) Force can change the state of an object: A change, in either the speed of an
object, or its direction of motion, or both, is described as a change in its state of
motion. The three important realizations of effects of force that results due to
the change of the state of objects:
 If the applied force acts on a body along its direction of motion, the speed
of the body will increase.
 If the direction of force, on the body, is opposite to its direction of motion,
the speed of the body will decrease.
(NOTE): (In both the above two cases, the object is supposed to be
moving in a straight line).
 If the force acts at an angle to the direction of motion, it can change the
speed as well as the direction of motion.
3) Force can change the shape or size of an object:
a) To make a chapatti, we first take some dough and then roll it between the
palms to make it spherical.
b) The shape of an inflated balloon changes by gently pressing it between our
palms.
c) A potter makes pots of different sizes and shapes from kneaded clay by the
application of force.
 BALANCED AND UNBALANCED FORCE
A) BALANCED FORCES:
 When two or more forces of equal magnitude acting in opposite direction
is applied on an object simultaneously such a force is called balanced
force.
 Here the object continues to be in the state of rest only the size and shape
of the object changes.
 The net force is zero i.e. F (net) = F – F = 0.

 EXAMPLE: When we push a wall, the wall does not move at all i.e., it
remains at rest.
Reasoning: In this case, the force of push on the wall acts in the forward
direction. On the other hand, the wall also exerts equal force on our hand
in the backward direction. These two equal and opposite forces cancel out
the effect of each other and hence these two forces are the balanced forces.
B) UNBALANCED FORCES:
 When two forces of unequal magnitudes act in opposite directions on an
object simultaneously, then the object moves in the direction of a large
force. These forces acting on the object are known as unbalanced forces.
 In unbalanced forces, the object state of motion as well as its size or shape
can be changed.
 Here the net force is not zero.
Case1) Unbalanced forces acting in the same direction are combined
by addition and the object will move in the direction of force.
Here, F1 is not equal to F2
So, F (net) = F1+ F2
Case 2) Unbalanced forces acting in the opposite direction are combined by
subtraction, i.e., the net force is equal to the difference between the two
forces and is exerted in the direction of the larger force.

Here, F1 is equal to F2

a) If F1> F2 then, F (net) = F1 – F2.

b) If F2> F1 then, F (net) = F2 – F1.

Unbalanced forces in opposite direction:

 EXAMPLE: When a boy drags a box on the floor, then an unbalanced

force is acting on the box.
Reasoning: The force of pull applied by the boy acts on the box in the
forward direction and the force of friction between the lower surface of the
box and the surface of the floor acts in the backward direction. The box
moves in the direction of unbalanced force (= Force of pull – Force of
friction) i.e., in the direction of the pulling force.
NOTE: If an unbalanced force is applied on the object, there will be a change
either in its speed or in the direction of its motion. Thus, to accelerate the motion
of an object, an unbalanced force is required. And the change in its speed (or in
the direction of motion) would continue as long as this unbalanced force is
applied.
Q) Using an activity explain the concept of balanced and unbalanced forces
when two forces are applied on the wooden block with the help of spring.
Ans) Two strings X and Y are tied to the two opposite faces of the block as
shown.
UNBALANCED FORCES:
CASE 1) If we apply a force by pulling the string X, the block begins to move to
the right.
CASE 2) Similarly, if we pull the string Y, the block moves to the left.
CASE 3) Now, let us consider a situation in which two opposite forces of
different magnitudes pull the block. In this case, the block would begin to move in
the direction of the greater force. Thus, the two forces are not balanced and the
unbalanced force acts in the direction the block moves.
OBSERVATION: Thus, an unbalanced force acting on an object brings it in
motion.

BALANCED FORCES:
CASE 4) If the block is pulled from both the sides with equal forces, the block
will not move. Such forces are called balanced forces and do not change the state
of rest or of motion of an object.
 Q) What happens to the box when some children tries to push box on the
rough floor?
Ans)
CASE 1) If they push the box with a small force, the box does not move because
of friction acting in a direction opposite to the push.
REASON: This friction force arises between two surfaces in contact; in this case,
between the bottom of the box and floor’s rough surface. It balances the pushing
force and therefore the box does not move.

CASE-2) In Fig. 9.4(b), the children push the box harder but the box still does not
move.
REASON: This is because the friction force still balances the pushing force.
CASE-3) If the children push the box harder still, the pushing force becomes
bigger than the friction force [Fig. 9.4(c)].
REASON: There is an unbalanced force. So the box starts moving.
Q) Why it is required to keep on pedalling the bicycle when we ride it?
Ans) When we stop pedalling, the bicycle begins to slow down. This is again
because of the friction forces acting opposite to the direction of motion. In order
to keep the bicycle moving, we have to start pedalling again.

 FIRST LAW OF MOTION

 INTRODUCTION: The concept of motion given by Philosophers was totally
rejected by the great physicist Galileo Galilei in 17 th century. He gave the famous
principle of Inertia.
This results in the concept of PRINCIPLE OF INERTIA.
 STATEMENT: According to this principle when no unbalanced force acts on
a body at rest, then it continues in the state of rest. Moreover, when no
unbalanced force acts on a body moving with a constant velocity, then it
continues in that state of motion.
 EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF FIRST LAW OF MOTION (GALILEO’S
EXPERIMENT):
Consider a double inclined plane ABCD as shown in figure. The surfaces of these
planes are very smooth so that there is no force of friction.
CASE-1) A glass ball released from height h was observed.
OBSERVATION: It was found that it rises upto the same height h on the plane
CD.

CASE-2) Now, the inclination of the plane CD was decrease as shown in the
figure. Again the ball released from height h on the plane AB is observed.
OBSERVATION: It was found that again the ball reached to the same height h on
the plane CD after travelling more distance.

CASE-3) Now the inclination of the plane CD was reduced to zero so that the
plane CD was made horizontal as shown in figure. The ball was released from the
height h on the plane AB again.
OBSERVATION: When the ball released from the height h on the plane AB was
found to travel forever on the plane CD.

CONCLUSION: The idea of Galileo on force and motion helped Newton to state
the three fundamental laws that are given the motion of the object. These 3laws
are known as NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION.
 RESULT: From this experiment GALILEO GALILEI concluded if the body is in
the state of rest will continue to be in the state of rest, if the body is in state of
motion will continue to be in the state of motion unless and until an external
force acts on it.
 FIRST LAW OF MOTION or LAW OF INERTIA
 STATEMENT: Everybody continues in its state of rest or uniform motion in a
straight line unless compelled by some external force (i.e. unbalanced force) to
change that state.
 INERTIA: The tendency of a body to oppose or resist any change in its state of
rest or uniform motion is called inertia of a body.
 TYPES OF INERTIA:
The inertia can be divided in three types:
1) Inertia of rest
2) Inertia of motion
3) Inertia of direction.
 INERTIA OF REST
 DEFINITION: The tendency of a body to oppose any change in its state of rest is
known as inertia of rest.
 EXAMPLES OF INERTIA OF REST: (REASONINGS)
1) When a bus suddenly starts moving forward, the passenger in the bus falls
backward: This is because the lower part of the body of the passenger being in
contact with the floor of the bus come in motion along with the bus. On the other
hand, the upper part of his body remains at rest due to inertia of rest. Hence, the
passenger falls backward.
2) Similarly, a careless rider falls backward when horse runs suddenly.
3) The carpet is beaten with a stick to remove the dust particles: When the carpet
is beaten with a stick, the fibres of the carpet come in motion and hence move
forward. On the other hand, the dust particles remain at rest due to inertia of rest.
Therefore, they fall down.
4) A bullet fired from a gun makes a small hole in the window pane while
passing through it, but the stone striking the window pane breaks it into
pieces: When a bullet strikes the window pane, only a small portion of the
window pane where the bullet strikes comes in motion because the bullet makes
contact with the pane for a very short time due to its high speed. On the other
hand, the remaining portion of the window pane remains at rest due to inertia of
rest. Thus, a small hole is made by the bullet in the window pane.
The speed of the stone is very small compared to the speed of the bullet. So the
stone makes contact with the window pane for longer period of time. During this
longer time, the whole window pane comes in motion and hence breaks into
pieces.
5) When a tree is vigorously shaken, some of the leaves fall from the tree: When
a tree is vigorously shaken, the branches of the tree come in motion but the leaves
tend to continue in their state of rest due to inertia of rest. As a result of this,
leaves get separated from the branches of the tree and hence fall down.
6) A pile of a one rupee coins remains intact when the lowest coin in the pile is
struck quickly by a knife: This is because , the lowest coin comes in motion
when struck by a knife. But the remaining coins in the pile remain at rest due to
inertia of rest. Hence they fall vertically download and remain in the form of pile.
Similarly, a pile of carom coins remains intact when the lowest coin is struck by a
striker.
(Q) Describe an activity to demonstrate the property of inertia of rest of an
object when a card is flicked with the finger the coin placed over it falls in the
tumbler.
ANS) PROCEDURE:
1) Set a five-rupee coin on a stiff card covering an empty glass tumbler standing
on a table as shown in Fig.
2) Give the card a sharp horizontal flick with a finger.

OBSERVATION: If we do it fast then the card shoots away, allowing the coin
to fall vertically into the glass tumbler due to its inertia.
CONCLUSION: The inertia of the coin tries to maintain its state of rest even
when the card flows off.
Q) Using an activity show that the carom coin at the bottom of a pile is
removed when a fast moving carom coin or striker hits it?
ANS) PROCEDURE:
1) Make a pile of similar carom coins on a table, as shown in Fig.
2) Attempt a sharp horizontal hit at the bottom of the pile using another
carom coin or the striker.

OBSERVATION AND CONCLUSION: If the hit is strong enough, the

bottom coin moves out quickly. Once the lowest coin is removed, the inertia
 of the other coins makes them ‘fall’ vertically on the table due to inertia of
rest.

Q) Why a groove is provided in a saucer for placing the tea cup?

Ans) PROCEDURE:

1) Place a water-filled tumbler on a tray.

2) Hold the tray and turn around as fast as you can.
OBSERVATION: We observe that the water spills, it is observed that a
groove is provided in a saucer for placing the tea cup.
REASONING/ CONCLUSION: It prevents the cup from toppling over in
case of sudden jerks due to inertia of rest.
Q) Why it is advised to wear safety belts when we are sitting in a vehicle
or car?
Ans) With the application of brakes, the car slows down but our body tends to
continue in the same state of motion because of its inertia. A sudden
application of brakes may thus cause injury to us by impact or collision with
the panels in front. Safety belts are worn to prevent such accidents. Safety
belts exert a force on our body to make the forward motion slower.
 INERTIA OF MOTION:
 DEFINITION: The tendency of a body to oppose any change in its state
of uniform motion is known as inertia of motion.
 EXAMPLES OF INERTIA OF MOTION (REASONINGS):
1) The passengers fall forward when a fast moving bus stops suddenly: This
is because, the lower part of the bodies of the passengers come to rest as soon
as the bus stops. But the upper part of their bodies continue to move forward
due to inertia of motion.
2) A person falls forward while getting down from a moving bus or train:
This is because as the foot of the person touches the ground, the lower part of
his body comes to rest while the upper part of his body remains in motion due
to inertia of motion.
Note: A person has to run in the direction of the motion of the bus just when
his foot touches the road to avoid falling on the road.
3) A luggage is usually tied with a rope on the roof of buses: When a moving
bus suddenly stops, the luggage on its roof tends to continue in the state of
motion due to inertia of motion. Hence the luggage fall down from the roof of
the bus. Similarly , when a bus suddenly starts, the luggage on the roof of the
bus tends to continue in the state of rest and hence fall down from the roof of
the bus. Thus, to avoid the falling of the luggage, it is tied with a rope on the
roof of a bus.
  INERTIA OF DIRECTION:
 DEFINITION: The tendency of a body to oppose any change in its
direction of motion is known as inertia of direction.
 EXAMPLES OF INERTIA OF DIRECTION (REASONINGS):
1) When a fast moving negotiate a curve on the road, passengers fall
towards the centre of the curved road : This is due to the tendency of
the passengers to continue to move in a straight line due to inertia of
direction.
2) The sparks produced during sharpening of a knife against a grinding wheel
leave the rim of the wheel tangentially. This is because of the inertia of
direction.
3) A stone tied to a string is whirling in a horizontal circle. If the string
breaks, the stone flies away tangentially: The stone moving in a circular
path has the direction of motion along the tangent at any point of the
circle. The pull of hand keeps it in a circular path. As soon as the string
breaks, the forces acting on the string ceases and the stone continues to
move along the tangent of the point of the circle due to inertia of direction.
 INERTIA AND MASS
 Inertia is the natural tendency of an object to resist a change in its
state of motion or of rest.
 SIGNIFICANCE: The mass of an object is a measure of its inertia.
 RELATION: Heavier or more massive objects offer larger inertia and
vice-versa.
 EXAMPLES: A force that is just enough to cause a small cart to pick
up a large velocity will produce a negligible change in the motion of a
train. This is because, in comparison to the cart the train has a much
lesser tendency to change its state of motion. Thus, the train has more
inertia than the cart.