1

Forces and Motion

Motion is defined as a change in position over time. When a ball rolls across the
floor or when you walk to school, it is considered as motion.

Have you ever wondered what causes motion?

Force

Force simply is defined as a push or a pull. In higher physics, it can be defined as

any influence that may or may not affect the state of motion of an object. Thus, you
can say that force (or the imbalance of force) acting on an object is what causes
motion.

There are different types of force. Two of them, which you are going to learn in this
lesson, are:

 gravitational force
 frictional force

Gravitational force is a type of force that acts on all objects with mass. It is a non-
contact force.

The amount of gravitational force that acts on an object depends on the masses of
the interacting objects and their separation distance. All objects on Earth is acted
upon by a gravitational force brought about by their interaction with Earth.

Gravitational force is the reason why:

 you can stand and walk on the ground

 when you jump, you will always return to the ground
 why you have weight--that is, the product of your mass and the acceleration
due to gravity
 why you will feel lighter on the moon (since the gravitational force on the
moon is weaker compared to that on Earth)
2

 Frictional force is a type of contact force. This means that two objects must
be in contact for frictional force to be present. It exists between an object and
a surface.
 Frictional force is a type of force that hinders motion of objects in contact
with each other. When an object is in contact with a surface, the interaction of
the object and the surface creates frictional force which hinders motion. The
amount of frictional force present in an interaction mostly depends on the
smoothness of the surface. Rough surfaces tend to provide more frictional
force and smooth surfaces create very little frictional force. Since frictional
force hinders motion, it is very difficult for objects to move on rough surfaces.

Key Points
 Force is simply defined as a push or a pull. It is also any influence that may
or may not change the motion of objects.
 Gravitational force is a non-contact force between objects with mass.
 Frictional force is a contact force between two objects.

Gravitational Force

 Gravitational force is a type of force that acts on all objects with mass. It is
a non-contact force.
 The amount of gravitational force that acts on an object depends on the
masses of the interacting objects and their separation distance. All objects on
Earth is acted upon by a gravitational force brought about by their interaction
with Earth.

What is the gravitational force acting between two identical balls with
mass 2kg if their separation distance is 1 m ?
#2

Aside from the laws of motion, Sir Isaac Newton also described the interaction
between objects. He concluded that all objects with mass interacts with one another
through gravitational force. Gravitational force or Fg is directly proportional to the
product of the masses of the two interacting object over the square of their
separation distance. Mathematically, it can be expressed as

where the gravitational constant G is equal to

How can the formula be used?

Step 1: Identify what is required to find in the problem. What is the unknown
quantity?

You are asked to calculate the gravitational force between the two identical balls.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

You are given the mass of the balls as well as the separation distance between them.

Step 3: Use the equation by substituting the given.

Step 4: Find the answer.

Therefore, the gravitational force that exists between the balls is

Key Points
 Gravitational force or Fg is directly proportional to the product of the masses
of the two interacting object over the square of their separation distance.
 Mathematically, it can be expressed as

where the gravitational constant G is equal to

2

Frictional Force
 Frictional force is a type of contact force. This means that two objects must
be in contact for frictional force to be present. It exists between an object and
a surface.
 There are two kinds of friction namely static friction and kinetic friction.
 Static friction results from the contact of two objects at rest.
 Kinetic friction results from the contact of two objects in motion relative to
each other.

A 5kg box is at rest on a tabletop. How much frictional force is acting on

the box? The coefficient of static friction between the box and the table
is 0.3.

You can calculate the frictional force between two objects or surfaces in contact
using the equation:

Ff = μN

Where Ff is the frictional force, μ is the coefficient of friction, and N is the normal
force.

The coefficient of friction has the following characteristics:

 The coefficient of friction between two surfaces measures the degree to which
two surfaces resist moving with respect to each other.
 It is dependent on the properties of the objects or surfaces in contact.
 The coefficient of static friction μ8 is used when the objects or surfaces are at
rest, while the coefficient of kinetic friction μk is used when at least one of the
objects or surfaces is in motion.

The normal force is the force perpendicular to the surface in contact.

#2

How can the formula be used?

Step 1: Identify what is required to find in the problem. What is the unknown
quantity?

You need to determine how much frictional force is acting on the box.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

You are given the mass of the box and the coefficient of static friction.

m = 5 kg

μ = 0.3

Step 3: Use the equation by substituting the given.

Note that before you can use the the given formula, you must first compute for the
normal force using the equation:

N = mg

Thus,

F = μN

F = (0.3) (49 N)

Step 4: Find the answer.

F = 14.7 N
2

Therefore, the frictional force between the box and the table is 14.7 N.

Tips
In solving for unknown quantities, remember to:

 check the consistency of units; and

 isolate the unknown quantity on one side of the equation before substituting
the given.

Key Point
You can calculate the frictional force between two objects or surfaces in contact
using the equation Ff = μN where Ff is the frictional force, μ is the coefficient of
friction, and N is the normal force.

Newton’s First Law of Motion

Force can be defined as any influence that may or may not affect an
object's motion.

What characteristic of an object makes it harder to move or stop?

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist a change in its state of motion. The
state of motion of an object can either be at rest (stationary) or moving. Inertia at
rest depends on the object's mass. The more massive the object, the harder it is to
make it move. Inertia in motion depends on the object's momentum. The greater
the momentum of the object, the harder it is to stop the object from moving.

Isaac Newton proposed the three laws of motion that explained how objects move.
The first law of motion is called Law of Inertia. It states that:
#2

An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same
speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force (net
external force).

Key Points
 Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
 Inertia depends on the mass or momentum of objects.
 Newton's first law of motion or law of inertia states that an object at
rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will remain in motion with
constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force.

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

Recall that Newton's first law of motion or the law of inertia states that an
object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion
unless acted upon by a net external force.

Chris wanted to move a 5kg box across the hall. To do this, he applied 50
N of force . What is the acceleration of the box?

Sir Isaac Newton also proposed Newton's Second Law of Motion or the law of
acceleration. This law states that:

The acceleration is produced when a net force acts on a mass, and that acceleration
is proportional to both the force acting on the object and the object's mass.

This law is used using the equation F = ma . Where F is force, m is mass, and a is
acceleration. Remember that the SI unit for force is newton (N), the SI unit for mass
is kilogram (kg) and the unit for acceleration is meter per second squared

How can the formula be used?

2

Step 1: Identify the unknown.

In the question, you are required to calculate the acceleration of the box, a .

Step 2: Write the equation.

F = ma

Step 3: Manipulate the equation so that the unknown is isolated on one side of the equation.
In this case, divide both sides of the equation by .

Step 4: Substitute the given quantities.

Step 5: Solve for the unknown.

Tips
In solving problems, it would be easier if you first manipulate the equation to isolate
the unknown quantity.

Key Points
 Sir Isaac Newton proposed Newton's second law of motion.
 Newton's second law of motion states that acceleration is produced when a net
force acts on a mass, and that that acceleration is proportional to both the
force acting on the object and the object's mass.
 This law is used using the equation F = ma . Where F is force, m is mass, and
a is acceleration.
 The SI unit for force is newton (N), the SI unit for mass is kilogram (kg),
and the unit for acceleration is meter per second squared
#2

Newton’s Third Law of Motion

 The law of inertia states that an object at rest will remain at rest and an
object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by a net external
force.
 The law of acceleration states that the net force acting on an object is
directly proportional to its acceleration.

How do forces interact with each other?

Newton also included in his laws of motion how objects interact with each other in
terms of forces. He summarized this in Newton's third law of motion also
known as law of interaction. This law states that:

For every action, there is a reaction that is equal in magnitude and opposite in
direction.

In dealing with this law, it is important to reiterate that force is a vector quantity.
A vector quantity is a physical quantity that is composed of magnitude (strength
or value), and direction. It is also important to note that forces always come in pairs,
which are called action-and-reaction forces.

There are three characteristics of action-and-reaction forces. They are:

1. equal in magnitude,
2. opposite in direction, and
3. acting on different objects.

Key Points
 Newton's third law of motion is also known as law of interaction.
 The law of interaction states that for every action, there is a reaction that is
equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
 Force is a vector quantity it has magnitude and direction.
 Forces always come in pairs. These force pairs are called action-and-reaction
forces.
 Action-and-reaction forces are equal in magnitude, opposite in direction, and act
on different objects.
2

Uniform Circular Motion

What type of motion is demonstrated by a car rounding a curve at

constant speed?

Uniform Circular Motion

Any object moving along a circular path at constant speed is said to be moving
in uniform circular motion. In describing the motion of an object moving in
uniform circular motion, you need to identify its characteristics such as its velocity,
acceleration, and the force acting on it.

An object moving in uniform circular motion is moving with constant speed. This
means that the speed of the object does not change over time. However, it does not
mean that the velocity of the object does not change. Since the object is moving in a
curved path, it implies that the object’s velocity is changing. Thus, the object is
known to be accelerating.

There are three ways that an object can accelerate: (1) change in magnitude of the
velocity, (2) change in the direction of the velocity, and (3) change in both
magnitude and direction of the velocity. When an object moves in uniform circular
motion, its velocity is always tangent to its position on the circular path. This change
in the direction of the velocity creates an acceleration that is directed to the center of
the circular path.

As the object moves in the circular path, it experiences a force that is inward or
directed to the center of the circular path. This force which is responsible for keeping
the object in its path, is known as centripetal force. Without the centripetal force,
the object will follow a straight line, tangent to the circular path.

Key Points
 Any object moving along a circular path at constant speed is said to be moving
in uniform circular motion.
 An object moving in uniform circular motion is moving with constant speed.
 The acceleration of the object moving in
 Centripetal force is the inward force acting on an object moving in uniform
circular motion.
#2

When Work Is Done?

Work is the product of force and displacement. However, there are instances when
work is not done.

How do you know when work is done on an object?

Work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and its change in
position. But before you calculate the amount of work done on an object, you must
first be able to identify situations when work is done. You can do this by identifying
the direction of force and displacement of the objects.

At this point, it is important to recall that both force and displacement are vector
quantities and are describe with both magnitude and direction.

When is work done?

 When a force is applied to make an object move in the same direction as the
applied force, work is done on the object.
 When the force and the movement of an object are perpendicular to each
other, work is not done on the object.
 When there is strong force applied to an object, if the object does not move,
work is not done.

Key Points
 Work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and its
change in position.
 Both force and displacement are vector quantities and are describe with both
magnitude and direction.
 When a force is applied to make an object move in the same direction as the
applied force, work is done on the object.
 When the force and the movement of an object are perpendicular to each
other, work is not done on the object.
 When there is strong force applied to an object, if the object does not move,
work is not done.
2

Work
 Work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and its
change in position.
 Both force and displacement are vector quantities and are describe with both
magnitude and direction.
 When a force is applied to make an object move in the same direction as the
applied force, work is done on the object.
 When the force and the movement of an object are perpendicular to each
other, work is not done on the object.
 When there is strong force applied to an object, if the object does not move,
work is not done.

Consider a 1kg cart that is moving along a horizontal surface from rest.
If the cart traveled 5 m to the right, what is the work done on the cart
when the force applied to it is 3o N east?

Recall that a force performs work when there is a displacement of the point of its
application along the force’s direction, and it is described by the equation

W=F.d

Where W is the work done by the force, F is the force, and d is the displacement.
The unit for work is the newton-meter (N . m) or Joule (J).

When the displacement is not parallel to the direction of force or given at an angle
relative to the force, the equation can be written as

W = Fd cos 0

Where 0 is the angle between the force and the displacement vector.
#2

How can the formula be used?

Step 1: Identify what is required to find in the problem. What is the unknown
quantity?

You are asked to calculate the work done by the applied force on the cart.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

You are given mass of the cart as well as the displacement and applied force.

m = 1 kg

d=5m

F = 30 N

Step 3: Use the equation by substituting the given.

W = Fd

W = (30 N) (5 m)

Step 4: Find the answer.

W = 150 N . m

Therefore, the work done to the cart by the applied force is 150 N . m
2

Tips
In solving for unknown quantities, remember to:

 check the consistency of units; and

 isolate the unknown quantity on one side of the equation before substituting
the given.

Key Points
 Work done is the product of force and displacement. It can be calculated using
the formula

W=F.d

Where W is the work done by the force, F is the force, and d is the
displacement. The unit for work is the newton-meter (N . m) or joule (J).

 When the displacement is not parallel to the direction of force or given at an

angle relative to the force, the equation can be written as

W = Fd cos 0

Where 0 is the angle between the force and the displacement vector.

Work-Energy Theorem

Work is the amount of force that is applied on an object over a distance.

#2

Your dad pushes your 1 500 kg car from rest and makes it accelerate to a
speed . In the process, he does 4 000 J of work and the car moves 30.0
m. If the friction between the road and the car is negligible, (1) what is
the final speed of the car? (2) What horizontal force did your dad exert
on the car?

When work is done on an object, it causes a change in the object's speed.

The work done by the net force on the object is equivalent to the sum of the work
done by all the forces acting on the object.

Wnet = Fnetd

where:

W = work (in joules)

F = force (in newtons)

d = displacement (in meters)

An object that is set in motion possesses kinetic energy.

2

K E = 1 mv

where:

K E = kinetic energy (in joules)

m = mass (in kilograms)

v = velocity (in meters per second)

The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on an object by an
external force is equal to the change in the object's kinetic energy.

Wnet = 
2

thus:

Fnetd =

Fnetd =

where:

vf = fir al velocity

vi = iritial velocity

From this relationship or theorem, you can see that if an object's speed increases:

 the work done on the object is positive, and

 its kinetic energy has increased.

If an object's speed decreases:

 the work done on the object is negative, which means the object does a
positive work on the system, and
 its kinetic energy has decreased.

How can the formula be used?

Step 1: Identify the given

The net work on the car is

The normal force on the car which is directed upward is canceled out by the force due to
gravity directed downward.

Step 2: What is asked?

#2

1.
2.

Solution:

1. From work-energy theorem:

since the car started from rest:

\displaystyle v_f=\sqrt{\frac{2W_{\mathrm{net}}{m}}

To calculate force: