Mechanics: Identify and apply principles of force

Unit 1: What is a force?

Linda Pretorius

Unit outcomes

By the end of this unit you will be able to:

  • Define a force.
  • Describe different types of forces.
  • Identify examples of different types of forces.
  • Describe that forces work in pairs.
  • Identify interacting force pairs as applies to:
    • contact forces
    • non-contact forces.

What you should know

Before you start this unit, make sure you can:

Introduction

In this unit you will learn what a force is and find out about different types of forces. This will allow you to identify forces at work in your everyday life and understand the effects of forces.

Activity 1.1: Think about forces

Time required: 5 minutes

What you need:

  • an internet connection
  • a cellphone with a QR scanner

What to do:

Watch the video clip.

Describe to a friend, someone at home or just for yourself what you see happening.

What did you find?

In the video, we see a ball lying still on the ground. We say it is at rest. When the boy kicks the ball, it lifts off the ground and moves through the air, towards the net. When it hits the net, the ball’s motion changes. The shape of the net also changes. The ball then falls to the ground, rolls along for a while, and then comes to rest again. The net wobbles in the frame for some time, until it, too, stops moving.

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