Forces
What is a force?
A push or pull that acts on an object.
What happens when forces are balanced?
The object does not change its motion.
What happens when forces on an object are unbalanced?
The object’s motion changes (speeds up, slows down, or changes direction).
What is a pattern of motion?
A regular and predictable path an object follows.
What is energy transfer?
The movement of energy from one place to another or from one form to another.
How can you measure force?
Force can be measured using a spring scale.
Give an example of equal forces acting in opposite directions.
Two people pushing against each other with the same strength but opposite directions.
What effect do unequal forces have on the speed of an object?
They can cause the object to accelerate.
What causes an object to move in a circular path?
The centripetal force keeps an object moving in a circular path.
How does friction affect energy transfer?
Friction converts mechanical (kinetic) energy to thermal energy. This is why when you rub your hands together fast enough you feel heat.
List two types of forces
Contact forces (like friction) and at-a-distance forces (like gravity).
How do equal forces affect the direction of an object?
They do not change the direction since they are balanced
How do unequal forces affect the direction of an object?
They change the direction because one force is stronger than the other.
How does the mass of an object affect its motion pattern?
Heavier objects require more force to change their motion patterns than lighter ones.
What happens to the energy in a bouncing ball?
Some kinetic energy is transferred to heat and sound, reducing the ball’s bounce height over time.
What role does gravity play as a force on objects?
Gravity pulls objects towards the center of the Earth.
Are equal forces always in opposite directions?
Yes, equal forces in opposite directions result in no movement change.
Describe the effect of unequal forces on a stationary object.
The object will start moving in the direction of the greater force.
Describe how increasing speed changes an object’s motion pattern.
Increasing speed can make the motion pattern more erratic or extend the distance traveled.
How does energy transfer in a collision between two cars?
Energy is transferred through the cars, causing damage and possibly transferring kinetic energy to heat and sound. Answers may vayr.
Explain how the angle of applied force affects an object’s trajectory.
Applying force at different angles can change the vertical and horizontal components of the object’s trajectory, altering its path.
Can equal forces acting at different angles balance each other?
No, for forces to balance, they must be equal, opposite, and along the same line of action.
What are the long-term effects of unequal forces on a moving object?
Continuous unequal forces can cause an object to continuously accelerate or change direction, possibly leading to structural stress or failure.
How can analyzing patterns of motion predict future motion?
By observing and analyzing past motion, you can predict future positions and paths using laws of motion.
Discuss the conservation of energy in terms of transfer in a pendulum.
In a pendulum, energy continuously transfers between potential and kinetic energy, with some energy lost to air resistance and friction at the pivot.