Forces and Motion Notes
Forces and Motion Notes
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Force & Acceleration
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Newton's First Law of Motion
Newton's First Law states:
A body will remain at rest or move with constant velocity unless acted on by a
resultant force
The law is used to explain why things move with a constant (or uniform) velocity
If the forces acting on an object are balanced, then the resultant force is zero
The forces to the left = the forces to the right
The forces up = the forces down
The velocity (i.e. speed and direction) can only change if a resultant force acts on the
object
Worked Example
If there are no external forces acting on the car, other than friction, and it is moving at a
constant velocity, what is the value of the frictional force F?
Answer:
Step 1: Identify the prompt (or 'clue') word in the question to choose which rules to
apply
The clue in this question is 'constant velocity'
This means that forces are perfectly balanced in every direction
Step 2: Calculate the missing force
For constant velocity sum of forces,
ΣF = 0
F=D
Step 3: Write the answer including units
F=6kN
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Newton's Second Law states that:
The acceleration of an object with constant mass is directly proportional to the Your notes
resultant force on it
The use of Σ (Sigma) signifies that F is the sum of the forces rather than just one force
acting alone
Worked Example
An object with a mass of 750 g accelerates in a straight line at 11 m s−2.
Determine the resultant force acting on the object.
Answer:
Step 1: Write down the known quantities
Mass, m = 750 g = 0.750 kg
Acceleration, a = 11 m s−2.
Step 2: Identify the equation needed and substitute in the values
ΣF = ma = 0.75 × 11 = 8.25
Step 3: Write the final answer using the correct significant figures and units
ΣF = 8.3 N
Terminal Velocity
In reality moving bodies always do have some resultant force acting on them, for
example, due to friction caused by;
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Movement through air or water (drag forces)
Movement across a surface (such as tyres on the road) Your notes
Moving parts within the object itself (such as the engine of a car, or the bearings in a
wheel)
When the drag forces become equal to the driving force the velocity reaches its
maximum value and the object is said to be moving at terminal velocity
'Terminal' means final, meaning there can be no more increases in velocity after it has
been reached
Terminal velocity is reached when the forces in the direction of motion are balanced by
the forces opposing motion
This is often used in relation to the case of a skydiver falling in freefall, although it can
apply to any situation where drag forces apply
In the case of the skydiver the force in the direction of motion is their weight, which
remains constant
As the skydiver accelerates air resistance increases, until the opposing forces
balance
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Worked Example
Suggest two ways in which a designer could increase the maximum velocity of a car.
Answer:
Step 1: Identify exactly what the question is asking for
The question asks about 'maximum' (terminal) velocity, this occurs when all forces
are balanced
To increase the terminal velocity the car either needs to
Increase the forces in the forwards direction, or
Decrease the forces in the backwards direction (the ones which are
opposing motion)
Step 2: Write down the forces affecting the motion
In the forwards direction the only force is the thrust from the engine
The forces opposing motion include:
Friction between the tyres and the road
Air resistance
Friction in the moving parts of the engine
Friction in the moving parts of the wheel system (bearings)
Step 3: Suggest changes the designer could make
Increase the forwards thrust by increasing power from the engine
Reduce opposing forces by
Using tyres with less grip
Making the car body more streamlined
Reducing friction in the engine (using better oil for example)
Reduce friction in the moving parts with smoother surfaces or better
lubricants
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Examiner Tips and Tricks Your notes
The direction you consider positive is your choice, as long as the signs of the numbers
(positive or negative) are consistent throughout your answer. A clear, labelled diagram
will tell both you and the Examiner which direction is positive, so nothing gets mixed
up.
Having said that, there is a general rule to consider the direction the object is initially
travelling in as positive. Therefore all vectors in the direction of motion will be positive
and opposing vectors, such as drag forces, will be negative.
If you do get an acceleration in your answer with a negative sign, you have found that
the object is slowing down. This is the Super Power of Physics equations!
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Mass, Weight & Gravitational Field Strength
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Mass, Weight & Gravitational Field Strength
Mass
Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object
Consequently, this is the property of an object that resists change in motion
The greater the mass of a body, the smaller the change produced by an applied force
The SI unit for mass is the kilogram (kg)
Weight
Weight is the force a body experiences due to being in a gravitational field, it is given by
the equation
W = mg
Where
m = mass (kg)
g = gravitational field strength (N kg−1)
F
g=
m
Where
F = weight (N)
m = mass (kg)
On the Earth's surface the average gravitational field strength = 9.81 N kg−1
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Core Practical 1: Investigating the Acceleration of Freefall
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Acceleration of Freefall Using Electromagnets &
Light Gates
Aim of the Investigations
The overall aim of these investigations is to calculate the value of the acceleration due to
gravity, g
The first two experiments both use the method of dropping an object and either timing
its fall, or finding the final velocity
Both use the SUVAT equations to produce a straight line graph
The third experiment, using the ramp and trolley, is based on the inclined ramp
experiment done by Galileo when he proved that all objects fall at the same rate,
regardless of weight
Electromagnet Method
Variables
Independent variable = height, h
Dependent variable = time, t
Control variables:
Same object being dropped
Same electromagnet and trap door switching system
Apparatus
Metre rule, ball bearing, electromagnet, electronic timer, trapdoor, plumb line
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Method
By using the plumb line to find the vertical drop, position the trap door switch directly
underneath the electromagnet.
Check that the ball bearing triggers both the trap door switch and the timer when it is
released.
When the equipment is set up correctly;
As the current to the magnet switches off, the ball drops and the timer starts
When the ball hits the trapdoor, the timer stops
The reading on the timer indicates the time it takes for the ball to fall a distance, h
Measure the distance from the bottom of the ball bearing to the trap door switch with a
metre ruler and record this distance as height, h
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Increase h (eg. by 5 cm) and repeat the experiment. At least 5 – 10 values for h should be
used
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Repeat this method at least 3 times for each value of h and calculate an average t for
each
Table of Results
Analysis of Results
The acceleration is found by using one of the SUVAT equations and rearranging it to
create a straight line graph (y = mx + c)
The known quantities are
Displacement s = h
Time taken = t
Initial velocity = u
Acceleration a = g
The missing SUVAT value is final velocity, v
Therefore use
1 2
s = ut + at
2
Replace a with g and s with h and then rearrange to fit the equation of a straight line
1 2
h= gt (since initial velocity, u = 0)
2
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The above equation shows that if h is plotted on the y-axis and t2 on the x-axis the graph
1
will produce a straight line with gradient = g Your notes
2
Evaluating the experiment
Systematic Errors:
Residue magnetism after the electromagnet is switched off may cause t to be recorded
as longer than it should be
Random Errors:
Large uncertainty in h from using a metre rule with a precision of 1 mm
Parallax error from reading h
The ball may not fall accurately down the centre of the trap door
Random errors are reduced through repeating the experiment for each value of h at least
3-5 times and finding an average time, t
Safety Considerations
The electromagnetic requires current
Care must be taken to not have any water near it
To reduce the risk of electrocution, only switch on the current to the electromagnet
once everything is set up
A cushion or a soft surface must be used to catch the ball-bearing so it doesn’t roll off /
damage the surface
The tall clamp stand needs to be attached to a surface with a G clamp to keep it stable
Apparatus
Metre rule, clear tube with large enough diameter for card to fall cleanly through it, card,
blu-tack, light gate, data logger, plumb line
Method
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Your notes
Clamp the clear tube vertically using the plumb line as a guide
Attach the light gate about 20 cm above the bench
Clamp the metre ruler vertically next to the tube so that the vertical distance from the
top of the tube to the light gate can be accurately measured
Record the distance between the light gate and the top of the tube as height, h
Cut a piece of card to approximately 10 cm, measure this length precisely and enter it
into the data logger as the distance
Weight the card slightly at one end (a large paperclip or small pieces of blu-tack can
be used)
Hold the card at the top of the tube and release it so that it falls inside the tube
The data logger will record velocity
Repeat this measurement from the same height two more times
Move the light gate up by 5 cm, record the new height, h, and drop the card three more
times, recording the velocity each time
Repeat for five more values of height
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Analysis of Results
The acceleration is found by using one of the SUVAT equations and rearranging it to
create a straight line graph (y = mx + c)
The known quantities are
Displacement s = h
Initial velocity = u
Final velocity = v
Acceleration a = g
The missing SUVAT value is time, t
Therefore use
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
Replace a with g and s with h and then rearrange to fit the equation of a straight line
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Parallax error from reading h
The card may fall against the sides of the tube, slowing it down Your notes
Dropping the card from the top of the tube can introduce parallax errors
Random errors are reduced through repeating the experiment for each value of h at least
3-5 times and finding an average time, t
Safety Considerations
The tall clamp stand needs to be attached to a surface with a G clamp to keep it stable
Equipment List
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Timer = 0.01 s
Method
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Apparatus set up to measure the distance and time for the ball bearing to drop
This method is an example of the procedure for varying the height the ball-bearing falls and
determining the time taken – this is just one possible relationship that can be tested
1. Set up the apparatus by attaching the electromagnet to the top of a tall clamp stand. Do
not switch on the current till everything is set up
2. Place the glass tube directly underneath the electromagnet, leaving space for the ball-
bearing. Make sure it faces directly downwards and not at an angle
3. Attach both light gates around the glass tube at a starting distance of around 10 cm
4. Measure this distance between the two light gates as the height, h with a metre ruler
5. Place the cushion directly underneath the end of the glass tube to catch the ball-bearing
when it falls through
6. Switch the current on the electromagnet and place the ball-bearing directly underneath
so it is attracted to it
7. Turn the current to the electromagnet off. The ball should drop
8. When the ball drops through the first light gate, the timer starts
9. When the ball drops through the second light gate, the timer stops
10. Read the time on the timer and record this as time, t
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11. Increase h (eg. by 5 cm) and repeat the experiment. At least 5 – 10 values for h should be
used
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12. Repeat this method at least 3 times for each value of h and calculate an average t for
each
An example of a table with some possible heights would look like this:
Analysis of Results
The acceleration is found by using one of the SUVAT equations
The known quantities are
Displacement s = h
Time taken = t
Initial velocity u = u
Acceleration a = g
The following SUVAT equation can be rearranged:
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The graph of 2h/t against t produces a straight-line graph where the acceleration is the
gradient
Evaluating the Experiment
Systematic Errors:
Residue magnetism after the electromagnet is switched off may cause t to be recorded
as longer than it should be
Random Errors:
Large uncertainty in h from using a metre rule with a precision of 1 mm
Parallax error from reading h
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The ball may not fall accurately down the centre of each light gate
Random errors are reduced through repeating the experiment for each value of h at least Your notes
3-5 times and finding an average time, t
Safety Considerations
The electromagnetic requires current
Care must be taken to not have any water near it
To reduce the risk of electrocution, only switch on the current to the electromagnet
once everything is set up
A cushion or a soft surface must be used to catch the ball-bearing so it doesn’t roll off /
damage the surface
The tall clamp stand needs to be attached to a surface with a G clamp so it stays rigid
Variables
Independent variable = velocity of the trolley, v
Dependent variable = time, t
Control variables:
Height of ramp must be constant
Same trolley being used
Apparatus
Inclined ramp
Trolley with ≅10 cm card attached
Light gate and computer or datalogger
Stopwatch
Block to prevent slipping
Method
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Your notes
Carefully cut a piece of card so that it is between 5 – 10 cm in length, and has a height
which can break the beam of a light gate as the trolley passes through.
Measure and record the length, d, of the card
Record this in the datalogging software
Attach the card to the trolley and roll the trolley past the light gate checking the beam is
broken by the card
Adjust the height of the light gate as needed.
Start the timing on the software, making sure it is set to record instantaneous velocity
Release the trolley and simultaneously start the stopwatch.
As the card passes the light gate stops the stopwatch
record the time, t
Repeat procedure 3 times, discard anomalies and calculate mean t
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This reduces errors
Repeat the procedure at least 5 times, varying the height the trolley is dropped from for
each reading Your notes
This causes a variation in v which is recorded by the light gate, and t which is
recorded using the stopwatch.
Analysis of Results
The acceleration is found by using one of the SUVAT equations and rearranging it to
create a straight line graph (y = mx + c)
The known quantities are
Time taken, t = average t
Initial velocity, u = 0 (the trolley starts from rest)
Final velocity v = v (recorded by the light-gate)
Acceleration a = g
The missing SUVAT value is displacement, s
Therefore use
v = u + at
This matches the equation of a straight line
y = velocity, v
x = average time, t
gradient = acceleration, a
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y-intercept = initial velocity, u
Plot a graph of v against average t
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The gradient will be the acceleration
This acceleration is provided by gravity, and so will give a value for g
Evaluating the experiment
Systematic Errors:
Make sure for each repeat reading the trolley is released from the same point
The card should be measured carefully so value d is accurate
Random Errors:
Large uncertainty in d from using a ruler with a precision of 1 mm
Reaction time when starting and stopping the stopwatch
Random errors are reduced through repeating the experiment for each value of v at
least 3 times and finding an average time, t
The card may hit the light gate
Discard a result where this occurs
They trolley may not travel straight down the ramp
Discard a result where this occurs
Safety Considerations
The trolley may fly off the end of the ramp
Use a block or tray at the bottom of the ramp to prevent this
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Newton's Third Law of Motion
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Newton's Third Law of Motion
Newton’s third law of motion states:
Whenever two bodies interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal in size,
act in opposite directions, and are of the same type
Newton’s third law explains the following important principles about forces:
All forces arise in pairs – if object A exerts a force on object B, then object B exerts
an equal and opposite force on object A
Force pairs are of the same type – for example, if object A exerts a gravitational
force on object B, then object B exerts an equal and opposite gravitational force on
object A
Newton’s third law explains the forces that enable someone to walk
The image below shows an example of a pair of equal and opposite forces acting on two
objects (the ground and a foot):
Newton's Third Law: The foot pushes the ground backwards, and the ground pushes the
foot forwards
One force is from the foot that pushes the ground backwards
The other is an equal and opposite force from the ground that pushes the foot forwards
Worked Example
A physics textbook is at rest on a dining room table.
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Eugene draws a free body force diagram for the book and labels the forces acting on
it.
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Eugene says the diagram is an example of Newton's third law of motion. William
disagrees with Eugene and says the diagram is an example of Newton's first law of
motion. By referring to the free-body force diagram, state and explain who is correct.
Answer:
Step 1: State Newton's first law of motion
Objects will remain at rest, or move with a constant velocity unless acted on by a
resultant force
Step 2: State Newton's third law of motion
Whenever two bodies interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal and
opposite
Step 3: Check if the diagram satisfies the two conditions for identifying Newton's
third law
In each case, Newton's third law identifies pairs of equal and opposite forces, of
the same type, acting on two different objects
The diagram only involves one object
Furthermore, the forces acting on the object are different types of force - one is a
contact force (from the table) and the other is a gravitational force on the book
(from the Earth) - its weight
The image below shows how to apply Newton's third law correctly in this case,
considering the pairs of forces acting:
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Momentum
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Defining Momentum
Linear momentum (p) is defined as the product of mass and velocity
When the ball is travelling in the opposite direction, its velocity is negative. Since
momentum = mass × velocity, its momentum is also negative
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Worked Example Your notes
Which object has the most momentum?
Answer:
Both the tennis ball and the brick have the same momentum
Even though the brick is much heavier than the ball, the ball is travelling much
faster than the brick
This means that on impact, they would both exert a similar force (depending on
the time it takes for each to come to rest)
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Conservation of Linear Momentum
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The Principle of Conservation of Linear
Momentum
The principle of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, the total
momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event
Momentum is always conserved in collisions where no external forces act
This is usually written as:
Total momentum before a collision = Total momentum after a collision
Since momentum is a vector quantity, a system of objects moving in opposite directions
can have an overall momentum of 0
This applies to objects moving towards each other or away from each other
The diagram below shows two masses m with velocity u and M at rest (M has zero
velocity)
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The velocity of m is now -v (since it is now travelling to the left) and the velocity of M
is V
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The total momentum is now the momentum of M + momentum of m
This is (M × V) + (m × -v) or (M × V) – (m × v)
Worked Example
Trolley A of mass 0.80 kg collides head-on with stationary trolley B whilst travelling at
3.0 m s–1. Trolley B has twice the mass of trolley A. On impact, the trolleys stick
together.
Using the conversation of momentum, calculate the common velocity of both trolleys
after the collision.
Answer:
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Newton’s third law of motion states:
Whenever two bodies interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal and Your notes
opposite
This means:
When one object exerts a force on another object, the second object will exert an
equal force on the first object in the opposite direction
When two objects collide, both objects will react, generally causing one object to
speed up (gain momentum) and the other object to slow down (lose momentum)
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with arrows and include positive and negative signs.
Your notes
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