What is a Force?
A Force is a push or pull. A pull exerted on an object is a force that brings it closer to us. A push is a force exerted on an object that causes it to move away from us. We cannot see the force but we can feel its effect on the object it is exerted on.
Effects of force
There four main effects of force are :
1. Force can move an object at rest
2. Force can speed up , slow down or stop a moving object
3. Force may change the direction of the moving object
4. Force may change the shape and size of an object
Types of Forces
Force exist in different forms. Lets learn more about them.
Gravitational Force:
Gravitational Force is a type of Non-contact force, the gravitational force is a force in nature that is always attractive and conservative. Our environment is surrounded by gravity. This force always acts in the opposite direction when an object moves away from the earth. The force the Earth applies to you is equal to the gravitational force on Earth. The gravitational force is equal to your weight while you are at rest on or near the Earth’s surface. Example: The leaves and fruits fall from a tree downwards towards the ground, water in a river flows down streams, a ball thrown up goes to a height and then returns back on ground are some examples of motion due to gravitational force.
NOTE: Gravity is a physical force of attraction between objects. Objects with a small mass have a weak gravitational force while those with a large mass have a strong force. You are held down to the Earth’s surface because it has a strong gravitational force.
Electrostatic force
The electrostatic force is the force of attraction or repulsion between two charged particles due to their electrical charge. It is also called Coulomb’s force or Coulomb’s interaction. It is a force extracted by a charged body on another charged or uncharged body.
NOTE : Similar charges repel each other, while dissimilar charges attract each other. Two positively charged elements or objects and two negatively charged objects, repel each other.
Magnetic force
The force with which a magnet attracts or repels a certain material is called magnetic force. Materials such as iron get attracted to a magnet. A magnet has two poles called the North Pole and the South pole. When brought together, unlike poles attract each other while like poles repel each other. Two objects containing charge with the same direction of motion have a magnetic attraction force between them.
NOTE: The magnetic force is a consequence of the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature, and is caused by the motion of charges.
Muscular force
Muscular force is the force exerted by using some of our body parts such as the arms or legs. It is a force produced by muscle action and is a contact force. Walking, lifting, getting up, playing sports, pulling, pushing and other such activities require muscular force.
NOTE : It is a force produced by muscle action and is a contact force because there is contact between the surfaces. Every movement of the body necessitates the use of muscular force.
Frictional force
friction is a force that acts opposite to the direction of the motion of an object. These forces are mainly affected by the surface texture and the amount of force impelling them together. Friction occurs at the point of contact between the two bodies. Relative motion occurs whenever one item travels relative to another. Thus, friction always opposes the movement of an object and slows down its motion.
Advantages of frictional force
Friction allows us to walk on the ground without slipping, as the friction between the soles of our shoes and the ground stops us from sliding. It also enables the wheels of cars and other vehicles to grip the road, which prevents them from skidding and helps in controlling the vehicle’s speed and direction. The frictional force also plays a vital role in the process of writing, as it allows the tip of a pen or pencil to create friction with the paper and leave a mark. Without frictional force, it would be challenging to hold objects or perform various day-to-day tasks.
Disadvantages of friction
Friction has certain disadvantages that can affect the functioning of machines and objects. For example, it can cause wear and tear of materials, reduce efficiency, and generate heat. These effects can lead to increased maintenance costs and decreased productivity.
NOTE: frictional force is greater between rough surfaces than between smooth surfaces. Also, it would be tough to just stand up without friction.
Elastic force
Elastic Force is the force that allows some materials or objects to return to their original state after being stretched or compressed. For example, when you pull a rubber band and release it, it will return to its original shape. Same with a catapult and bow and arrow.
NOTE: Elastic force is the counter force that resists the stretching or compressing of an elastic material.
Electromagnetic force
The electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. It is the dominant force in the interactions of atoms and molecules. Electromagnetism is an interaction that occurs between particles with electric charge via electromagnetic fields. an electric fan, electric doorbell, induction cooker, magnetic locks
NOTE: it acts between charged particles and is the combination of all magnetic and electrical forces. The electromagnetic force can be attractive or repulsive.
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