Force is any pull or push that a body experiences. Force is all around us everywhere, and we can see the effects of force daily in our lives. A nuclear bomb can cause a huge explosion, which is the effect of the nuclear force that is exerted on nature. Let us look at such similar examples and understand the different effects of force.
Effects of force
- Force can change the state of motion of an object
- Force can change the direction of moving objects
- Force can increase the speed of moving objects
- Force can decrease the speed of moving objects
- Force can change the shape of an object
1. Force can change the state of motion
Force can make a moving object stop and also make a stationary object move. The magnitude and the direction of the force on the body are important to change the state of motion. There are many factors that influence the state of motion like the mass of an object, friction, speed of the object, etc.
- While kicking a football we exert enough force on force on the football to make it move. The force exerted is due to the muscular force in our legs. The distance to which the ball moves depends on the weight of the ball, the angle of the kick, and the muscular force exerted by the player.
- When we catch a basketball, we apply muscular force to stop the moving ball.
- Brakes are used to stop a moving vehicle. The friction between the brake pads and the wheel ultimately stops the vehicle.
- We are able to stand up due to the force we apply on the ground and in turn, receive a reaction force that enables us to stand or jump.
- A bullet fired from a rifle has enough force to harm people. The chemical energy of the propellant is able to accelerate the particle to generate a large force.
- A bullet is stooped by a strong concrete wall due to the reactive forces applied by the wall on the bullet.
- The rotation of the windmill is possible due to the force exerted by the wind on the blades of the windmill.
- A free object rolls down an inclined surface due to the pull of the gravitational force.
- A rocket is able to move upward with high velocity due to the force provided by a combustion reaction. The hot exhaust is able to generate a reaction force called thrust.
- A swimmer pushes the water by using his hands and legs to move forward. This is an example of the effect of muscular force.
2. Force can change the direction of moving objects
- Passing a football during a game of soccer changes the direction of motion. The force is provided by the muscular force.
- When a baseball is hit, the muscular force in our hand is exerted on the ball through the bat.
- The direction of a moving car can be changed by applying force on the steering wheel which is connected to the wheels of the car.
- In a game of tennis or squash, the change in direction is the key. The direction of the ball depends on the angle it gets hit. It requires much concentration and practice to precisely change the direction.
3. Force can increase or decrease the speed of moving objects
- According to Newton’s law of motion, an object moving in uniform motion should not come to stop. But that is not the case. We see that all object comes to a stop. This is due to the external force called friction acting on the body. The force slows the speed of the object and eventually makes it stop.
- Brakes applied to a vehicle work on the same principle of friction. The friction between the brake pads and the wheel reduces the speed of the wheels.
- You might have noticed that in a game of badminton the speed of the shuttlecock is controlled by the force applied. To slow down the speed the player hits the shuttle gently. The speed of the hand movement affects the force applied to the object.
4. Force can change the shape of objects
- A tin-can can be easily crushed by applying the muscular force of our hands.
- Tearing of pages or a piece of cloth
- The wear and tear is created due to frictional force.
- Trees are broken due to the force of the wind in a cyclone.
Now, let us look at the effect of each type of force in detail with examples:
Effects of Gravitational force
Gravitational force always tries to pull objects. It exists between any pair of objects in the universe. It is impossible to get rid of gravity. This is the weakest force but depends on the mass of the objects. Examples:
- Falling of fruits from trees due to Earth’s gravitational pull
- The Earth’s gravitational pull keeps us all stationary, otherwise, we all would be flying now.
- Revolution of the Earth around the Sun
- Revolution of the moon around the Earth
- High tides and low tides in seas are caused due to the gravitational pull of the moon.
Effects of Frictional force
The frictional force is everywhere when two bodies are in contact. It is difficult to imagine life without friction. Friction always opposes the motion, so it acts in a direction opposite to motion. Friction is a necessary evil.
- Wear and tear in objects due to dry friction.
- We are able to walk because of friction. Friction is a necessary evil.
- Fixing a nail into a wall or wooden plank
- Without friction, the moving object would not stop. Brakes won’t work in cars without friction.
Effects of Magnetic force
- Maglev trains work on the principle of magnetic levitation to reduce friction.
- An electromagnetic wave is used for propagation in TV, cellphones, RADAR, and satellite communications
- Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is an imaging technique used to image human anatomy. Magnetic particles are used as contrast agents.
- Fridge magnets stick to the fridge due to the magnetic force. This is the most common example of a magnetic force.
- Compass work based on magnetic forces. The Earth is considered a huge magnet with magnetic north and south pole. The compass consists of a small magnet that gets attracted to opposite poles and hence gives the direction of Earth.
Effects of Nuclear force
- Nuclear bombs capable of widespread destruction
- Radioactive materials used in finding the age of substances
- Nuclear energy is used in power plants to generate electricity
- Marie curie of using radioactive for medical research
Effects of Electrostatic force
- A balloon gets attracted to another after rubbing because they get charged.
- Lightning occurs due to the interaction of charges in clouds.
- Photocopier machines and printers work on the principle of electrostatic forces.
Effects of Muscular force
- Pushing anything by using hands or legs
- Pulling anything by hands or legs
- Crushing a tin can
Effects of Tension
- Fruits hang on a tree due to the tension provided by the branch.
- Rescue operation by helicopter involves strong cables for people to hold on to.
- Water is drawn from wells using the tension of the ropes.
Effects of Normal force
We are able to stand on the ground due to the normal force provided by the ground. If there was no normal force then we would sink to the center of the Earth.
Effects of Air resistance
- Aircraft are able to liftoff due to the lift provided by air resistance.
- Meteors burn out while entering the earth’s atmosphere due to the heating effect induced by air resistance.
Spring Force
- This force is used in small toy parts to store energy
- Shock absorbers work based on spring force
- spring balance uses the spring force to match the weight of the objects.
What are the factors affecting the effects of force?
Force = mass x acceleration [F= m.a] (read our post on the formula of force for more information.)
The mass of an object determines the force applied by it. The more mass more will the more force applied. This is a general observation in our daily lives. We use heavy objects as a paperweight, to break or to stop something.
Force is a vector quantity. So, it depends also on the direction of force applied. The angle of application of force is also important. The angle will determine the effect on the object. The component of force will act on the object.
Acceleration is also a factor affecting the force applied. Imagine you want to fix a nail in the wall. And you are hitting it very gently, the nail won’t go in.
What are the negative effects of force?
Force can be constructive or destructive depending on its application. Let us see some examples of the negative effects of force.
- Wear and tear: Most of the contact forces like friction, tension, air resistance can cause wear and tear with prolonged use.
- Unwanted fires: Forces if not handled properly may lead to unwanted fire accidents. Like an explosion in power plants or forest fires due to friction.
- Widespread destruction: Forces in nature due to cyclones, earthquakes,s or volcanic explosions can cause widespread destruction.
What are the positive effects of force?
Let us look at some of the positive examples of force we encounter daily in our lives.
- Lifting heavy objects: Heavy equipment and cranes are used for lifting heavy objects. In some cases, magnetic forces are used for lifting heavy objects.
- Energy generation: Forces of wind, water flow, and nuclear power are used for generating electricity in power plants.
- Stop moving objects: Friction, gravitational, action-reaction forces, and even muscular forces are used daily to stop moving objects. These forces work together to hold the entire planet in order. Otherwise, things would be flying everywhere. Watch this funny video that explains life with friction.
- Transportation: All forms of transportation require some driving force to move. In ancient times, the muscular forces of animals were used. The force of the wind was used to move sailboats.
- Daily activities: Any pull or push we do daily requires force. For example, lifting a cellphone or typing required force.
What is the difference between mass and weight when it comes to the effects of force?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force exerted on an object by gravity. The effects of force on an object depend on its mass, as well as the magnitude and direction of the force.
How do the effects of force influence design and engineering?
Understanding the effects of force is important in designing structures and machines that can withstand external forces. Engineers must take into account the magnitude and direction of the forces acting on an object, as well as the object’s shape and state of motion, in order to ensure that it is safe and functional.
How does air resistance affect the effects of force on a moving object?
Air resistance is a force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. It can affect the speed and direction of the object, as well as its shape and state of motion.
Activities to Do Related to the Effects of Forces
Force Tug-of-War:
Grab some friends and have a friendly force tug-of-war to experience firsthand how forces in opposite directions cancel each other out.
Balloon Rockets:
Attach a balloon to a straw, secure a string, and let the air rush out of the balloon. Observe how the escaping air propels the balloon forward.
Friction Exploration:
Experiment with various surfaces to understand how friction affects the motion of objects differently. Try sliding objects on wood, carpet, and tile.
Egg Drop Challenge:
Design a contraption that prevents an egg from breaking when dropped from a height. Use materials to manage the Effects of Forces during the fall.
