LSS F1: Force and Pressure Notes

Lower Secondary Science

Chapter F1: Force and Pressure
Topic Notes

Name: _____________________________ ( ) Date: _________________

Class: ___________

1. What is a force?

____________________________________________________________

2. Chapter objectives: At the end of the chapter, you are able to...

• Describe the effects of forces (on the state of rest or motion of a body & on the size and shape of a

body)

• State the Newton as the SI unit of force

• Use a spring balance as one of the ways to measure force

• Identify different kinds of forces including frictional force, gravitational force and magnetic force, and

their effects on objects

• Relate pressure to force and area using appropriate everyday examples

• Communicate an understanding of forces and justify answers to questions on forces with reasons

3. Objective 1: Effects of forces

A force can:

a. _______________________________________________

b. _______________________________________________

c. _______________________________________________

d. _______________________________________________

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 LSS F1: Force and Pressure Notes

4. Objectives 2 & 3: Measuring forces

Forces are measured with force-meters, which are also known as newton-meters. Example of force-

meters are ________________________ . There are two types: ___________________________

and ______________________________ .

The SI UNIT for force is the _____________ and the symbol is ________ .

5. Objective 4: Important forces

Frictional force

Definition: ____________________________________________________________________

Useful applications of friction Problems caused by friction

Hold things Causes wear and tear

Walk Slows us down

Slow down/brake

Ways of reducing friction:

• _______________________________

• _______________________________

• _______________________________

• _______________________________

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 LSS F1: Force and Pressure Notes

Magnetic force

Definition: ____________________________________________________________________

Uses of magnetic forces Sketch of a bar magnet WITH labels

Magnetic door catch

Effects of magnetic forces: Like poles ___________ and unlike poles ___________ .

Gravitational force

Definition: ____________________________________________________________________

In simple terms, gravitational force ___________________________________________

About weight: Weight is gravitational force acting on a body.

Weight is dependent on the ___________________________________________

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 LSS F1: Force and Pressure Notes

6. Objective 5: Pressure

Definition: ____________________________________________________________________

The formula for pressure is:

As seen from the definition of and formula for pressure, the two factors that affect pressure are:

a. ___________ . When the ___________ increases, pressure increases.

b. ___________ . When the ___________ increases, pressure decreases.

The SI UNIT for pressure is the _____________ and the symbol is ________ .

What are the other units (NOT SI unit) of pressure? How do we derive them?

Worked Example

An elephant weighing 45 000 N stands on one foot of dimensions 30 cm x 30 cm. What is the pressure
exerted by the elephant?

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 LSS F1: Force and Pressure Notes

Question 1:
A pushpin is pressed onto a piece of wood. The thumb exerts a force of 20 N on the pin, and the area of
the pinhead is 0.5 cm2. What pressure is exerted on the wooden board?

Question 2:
A girl weighing 500 N stands on one stiletto heel of dimensions 1 cm x 1 cm. What is the pressure
exerted by the girl?

7. Objective 6: Understanding force and pressure

a. What happens if there is no friction in the world? Describe some experiences you would experience.

b. Design a beach chair that can be used on sand. Include a diagram and brief explanations on how it

works.

END