3.2.1

Forces

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Forces

We feel forces as a push or pull. Forces happen in pairs that are equal and opposite.

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Forces

  • Forces happen when there is an interaction between objects.
  • We feel forces as either a push or a pull.
    • You can ‘push’ open a door.
    • You can ‘pull’ a sleigh.
  • We feel forces as pairs that act in opposite directions.
  • Forces can be measured using a Newton metre, which is sometimes called a force metre or spring balance.
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Representing forces

  • Forces are measured in Newtons (N).
  • We can represent a force with an arrow.
    • The way the arrowhead points represents the direction of the force.
    • The size of the arrow represents the magnitude of the force.
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Resultant forces

  • The resultant force is the overall force.
  • If two forces are acting in the same direction, the resultant force is the sum of all the forces.
  • If two forces are acting in opposite directions, the resultant force is the difference between the forces.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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