[UNIT 1 PHYSICS ON THE GO 1.

0 MECHANICS] 1

1.3 FORCES
1. Free-body Diagrams
2. Newtons 1st and 2nd Law of Motion
3. Gravity, W=mg
4. Newtons 3rd Law of Motion
1. Free-body Diagrams
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.

A diagram which shows all forces acting on an

object/body.
When it involves solid objects, the weight of the object is
drawn through the centre of gravity, which is usually at
the midpoint.
Drag forces works in opposing to the direction of forces
to slow it down. In the case below, it comprises of
frictional force and air resistance.
Frictional force occurs when two solid surfaces rub
against each other.
Air resistance (aerodynamic drag) is due to the presence
of air molecules when objects move past them. Forces
are required (lost) to overcome this.
Free fall is the condition where an object accelerates due
to gravity i.e. 9.81ms-2
An object can fall uniformly in vacuum (a constant).
However, in real life conditions where air is present, air
resistance, R will oppose gravitational force, W.
Hence, the object will continue to accelerate with gravity
until W = R, where the resultant force is zero (a = 0) and
object velocity is constant. This is terminal velocity.

Finding the centre of gravity

I.
II.

A centre of gravity of an object can be simply found by

balancing it on using a finger.
For a non uniform shape, one method of doing so is to
use a string with a weight tied to the end. The string is
then attached to the object at several (usually three)
positions where a line is drawn. And the intersection of
the to the lines is the centre of gravity. Drawing a free
body diagram.

Example
Normal reaction force

Forward force

Drag force

Weight (gravity)

2. Newtons 1st and 2nd Law of Motion

I.
II.
III.

Newtons 1st Law of Motion states: The velocity of a

body remains constant unless an external force acts upon
the body.
Inertia is the tendency of an object to stay in its original
state (of rest or uniform motion).
Eg. Compared to a basketball, it is harder to push a
bowling ball which is at rest. Also, when both the balls
are rolling, it is also harder to stop a moving bowling
ball.

An experiment to investigate

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F = ma

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Example
Force, F/N
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.

Apparatus is set up as shown above.

The weights of the pulleys are arranged such that their
resultant force is 0.1 N. The trolley is left to move past
the light gates and the acceleration is recorded.
This is repeated with 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 N
An acceleration versus force graph is drawn.
Another experiment is set up where the weights of the
pulleys are fixed.
Then, weights are added to the trolley so that it weighs
0.5 kg.
The acceleration then recorded.
This is repeated with mass of 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1kg.
An acceleration versus mass graph is drawn.

Mass, m/kg
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

1/m
2.00
1.67
1.43
1.25
1.11
1.00

Acceleration, a/ms-2
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2.0
2.4

Acceleration, a/ms-2
2.00
1.66
1.42
1.26
1.10
1.00

Plotting the graphs based on the above tables:-

Observation:
a F
1
a
m
F
m
F ma

F = kma, where k is a constant.

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3. Gravity, W=mg

An experiment can be carried out to measure g using the set up in

Chapter 1.1 Exp D. Alternatively a light gate can be used instead.

Weight varies with the strength of the gravity field.

g=

F
m

where the unit of g is Nkg-1 or ms-2

Since the weight is the force acting on the mass,
W= mg

Is the gravitational field strength constant on Earth?

4. Newtons 3rd Law of Motion

I.
II.
III.
IV.

~ the mutual forces of action and reaction between two

bodies are equal, opposite and collinear.
We can imply that forces works in pairs.
Generally, if a force is acted upon an object, there will be
an equal but opposite force acting to that direction.
Eg.
a. Gravitational force and normal reactive force.
b. Weight of a bucket is equal to the tension of the
string pulling it.
c. A ship has moves forward due to the reactive force
of the water when the propeller pushes the water to
the back.

Statics
I.
An object which is not moving (in static condition) does not
necessarily mean that there is no force acting upon it.
II.
Rather, all the forces are acting on that said object is in
equilibrium.

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Example of a flagpole. Draw a free body diagram of it.

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