Forces


[Force] [Magnets] [Friction] [Gravity and Upthrust]

 

A force is any kind of PUSH or PULL.

 

Examples of actions that need a force:

  • pushing a toy car to make it move
  • squashing some modelling clay
  • hitting a cricket ball
  • bending a stick

 

Forces are needed to do the following:

 

Forces cause movement

 

 

Forces work in pairs

 

If the two pulling forces are equal the teams do not move

When one force is greater the teams move towards the larger force

Equal forces = no change in movement

Unequal forces = movement

 

 

 

Measuring Force

The unit of force is the newton (N).

 

Forces can be measured using a spring balance

 


Using a spring balance to measure the pull of gravity

 

 

(A spring balance is sometimes called a force meter or Newton meter)

 

 

Types of Force

Some forces have special names:

 

(click on each force to find out more about it)

 

 

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