1. Scalars and Vectors 3. Work done 5.
Required practical – investigating how
Work is done when a force causes an object to move. forces affect the extension of a spring
A physical quantity is something that can be measured.
Scalar quantities only have a magnitude (size) eg. mass and
energy
W=Fs 1. Secure a clamp stand to the
Vector quantities have both magnitude and a direction eg. Work done (J) = Force (N) x distance (m) bench using a G-clamp or a
force and velocity. They are represented by an arrow. The large mass on the base.
length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the vector. 4. Force and elasticity 2. Use bosses to attach two
clamps to the clamp stand.
When a force acts on an object, the object may change shape
Free body diagrams are used to describe situations 3. Attach the spring to the top
GCSE P5 – Forces and Motion 1
(bend, stretch or compress)
where several forces act on an object. clamp, and a ruler to the bottom
A change in shape is called deformation:
clamp.
• elastic deformation – object returns to original size and shape
4. Adjust the ruler so that it is vertical,
2. Contact and Non-contact forces when force is removed
and with its zero level with the top
Contact forces act between two objects that are physically • inelastic deformation - there is a permanent change in shape
of the spring.
touching each other. Eg: Hooke’s Law describes the extension of an elastic object (spring)
5. Measure and record the unloaded length of the spring.
• Reaction force - experienced by an object resting on a surface
• Tension - experienced by an object being stretched F=ke 6. Hang a 100 g slotted mass carrier (weight 0.98N) from
the spring. Measure and record the new length of the
• Friction - experienced by objects sliding past each other
Force (N) = spring constant (N/m) x extension (m) spring.
• Air resistance - experienced by objects moving through air
7. Add a 100 g slotted mass to the carrier. Measure and
When a contact force acts between two objects, both objects Spring constant - a measure of the stiffness of a spring
record the new length of the spring.
experience the same size force, but in opposite directions. The limit of proportionality - the elastic limit of a material (the
8. Repeat step 7 until you have added a total of 1,000 g.
Force is measured using a Newtonmeter furthest point it can be stretched while still being able to return
9. For each result, calculate extension = length - unloaded
Non-contact forces act between two objects that are not to its previous shape) Once a material has gone past its elastic
length
physically touching each other. Eg: limit, its deformation is inelastic.
• Magnetic force - experienced by any magnetic material in a
magnetic field. Hazard Consequence Precaution
• Electrostatic force - experienced by any charged particle in an
electric field. Equipment Injury to Secure stand to the
Limit of
• Gravitational force - experienced by any mass in a
proportionality falls off desk feet/leg desk with a clamp
gravitational field.
Spring Damage to Wear goggles. Gently
Weight is the force acting on an object due to gravity and is breaks and eye/skin lower the masses
measured in newtons (N) with a Newton meter. The weight of an
object acts at a single point called its centre of mass.
sharp end when loading onto
Gravitational field strength (g) is measured in newtons per recoils the spring
kilogram (N/kg). Work is done when a spring is extended or compressed. Spring Injury to Gently lower the
Elastic potential energy is stored in the spring: breaks and feet/leg masses when loading
W=mg Ee = ½ ke2
masses fall onto the spring and
Weight (N) = mass (kg) x gravitational field (N/kg) Elastic potential energy (J) = ½ x spring constant x extension2 (m)
to the floor step away
SINGLE PHYSICS ONLY
6. Moments 8. Gears 10. Atmospheric pressure
A moment is the turning effect of a force. As one gear turns, the other gear must The atmosphere is the layer of air around the Earth
also turn. Where the gears meet, the • it is thin compared to the size of the Earth
Moments act about a point in a clockwise or teeth must both move in the same • it becomes less dense as the altitude increases
anticlockwise direction. direction.
The forces acting on the teeth are Air molecules colliding with a surface cause
identical for both gears, but their atmospheric pressure.
GCSE P5 – Forces and Motion 1
moments are different: As the altitude increases:
• If the driven gear is made larger it will rotate more slowly • the number of air molecules decreases
but with a greater moment. Eg. a low gear ratio on a bike • the weight of the air decreases
• If the driven gear is made smaller it will rotate more quickly
Anticlockwise
but with a smaller moment. Eg a high gear ratio on a bike
Clockwise
moment
moment
Turning a gear that has double the radius, doubles the turning
effect - it is a 2× force multiplier.
9. Pressure in fluids
Pressure = force per unit area. Pressure determines the effect of a
M=Fd force on a surface.
The pressure in fluids (liquids or gases) causes a force that acts at
Moment (Nm) = Force (N) x distance (m)
right angles (90°) to the surface.
If an object is balanced: p = F/A
total clockwise moment = total anticlockwise moment Pressure (Pa) = Force (N) ÷ area (m2)
The pressure in a liquid is due to the weight of the column of
7. Levers water above and acts in all directions:
Levers make use of
p=hρg
moments to act as a force
pressure = column height × liquid density × gravitational field strength
multiplier: a larger force acts
(Pa) (m) (kgm-3) (N/kg)
upon the load than is
supplied by the effort (it is
easier to move heavy An object that is partly, or completely, submerged experiences a
objects) greater pressure on its bottom surface than on its top surface.
The longer the lever, the further the effort acts from the pivot, This resultant force is upthrust.
the greater the force on the load will be. upthrust < weight of the object = the object will sink
upthrust > weight of the object = the object will float.
