Force
Forces are interactions between objects - a push or pull. Forces have the ability to make an object speed up, slow down, change direction or change its shape.[1] Force is conventionally measured in units of newtons (N) or pounds (lbs).
Exerting a force over some distance represents a specific transfer of energy also known as work. Fields (electric fields, magnetic fields, gravitational fields) are spatial regions that exert forces on objects.[2] The position of objects within relevant fields quantifies potential energy; moving an object against the pull of a force will give it greater potential energy, while releasing the object will allow it to be moved by the force, giving it kinetic energy.
Broadly, the forces are either fundamental forces or the everyday forces in our day to day life.[3] Feel free to play around with the simulation below to find out more about how force affects motion and acceleration.
PhET Simulation on Forces
The University of Colorado has graciously allowed us to use the following PhET simulation. Explore out the PhET animation below to explore how forces change motion.
References
- ↑ R. Chabay and B. Sherwood, "The Momentum Principle," in Matter & Interactions, 3rd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011, ch.2, sec.2, pp. 50
- ↑ R. D. Knight, "The concept of a field" in Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, 2nd ed. San Francisco, U.S.A.: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 806
- ↑ Hyperphysics, Fundamental Forces [Online], Available: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/forces/funfor.html