PHYSICS

FORM 4

Chapter 2

Forces & Motion

Compiled by
Cikgu Desikan
 Chapter 2
Forces & Motion
Dear students,
The two basic processes of education are knowing and valuing.

Learning Objectives :
1. Analysing linear motion 8. Understanding gravity
FORM 4 PHYSICS

2. Analysing motion Graphs 9. Analysing forces in equilibrium

3. Understanding inertia 10. Understanding work, energy, power and
4. Analysing momentum efficiency
5. Understanding the effects of a force 11. Appreciating the importance of
6. Analysing impulse and impulsive force maximising the efficiency of devices
7. Being aware of the need for safety 12. Understanding elasticity
2015

features in vehicles
Analysis of Past Year Questions
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
P1 8 7 8 9 9 8 7
A 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
P2 B 1 1 - -
C 1 1 -
A 1 1 - -
P3
B 1 1 1 -
 Chapter 2
Forces & Motion
Dear students,
It’s not the cards you’re dealt it’s how you play the game !!!

Concept Map
Forces & Motion
Kinematics Dynamics

Linear Motion Inertia Effects of Forces Linear Momentum

Distance Displacement Mass Newton’s Elastic/ Explosion

2nd Law of Inelastic
Speed Velocity Newton’s Motion Collision
1st Law of
Motion F=ma
Acceleration/Deceleration Principle of
Conservation of
Principle of Principle of momentum
Graphs Linear Motion Resultant Resolution
Equations Force of Force
Work

Newton’s 3rd Power Energy

Law of Motion
 Chapter 2
Forces & Motion

2.1 Linear Motion

Distance, l
Distance is the total path length
Displacement, l
traveled from one location to
(a) The distance in a specified
another.
direction.
(b) the distance between two
Speed
locations measured along the
Rate of change
shortest path connecting them
of distance Physical in a specific direction.
Velocity Quantity (c) The distance of its final
Rate of change of position from its initial position
displacement. in a specified direction.

Average speed
Average velocity
v = Total distant traveled, s v = Displacement, s
Total time taken , t Time taken, t
4
Example 1 Example 2
An aeroplane flys towards the north with a velocity 300 The speedometer reading for a car traveling
km/hr in one hour. Then, the plane moves to the east with north shows 80 km/hr. Another car traveling at
the velocity 400 km / hr in one hour. 80 km/hr towards south. Is the speed of both
(a) What is the average speed of the plane? 350 km/hr cars same? Is the velocity of both cars same?
(b) What is the average velocity of the plane? 250 km/hr - speed : same (← same magnitude )
(c) What is the difference between average speed and - velocity : not same (← direction not
average velocity of the plane? (Refer page 2) same)

5
 Relating Displacement, Velocity,
Ticker timer
Acceleration and Time using Ticker Tape
• Use: 12 V a.c power supply
• 1 tick = time interval between two dots. VELOCITY
• The time taken to make 50 ticks on the ticker
tape is 1 second. Hence, the time interval 11 dots
between 2 consecutive dots is 1/50 = 0.02 s.
• 1 tick = 0.02 s

Time, t = (11- 1) x 0.02 s

No. of ticks  No. of dots  1 = 0.2 s
Displacement, s = x cm
Velocity = s = x cm
t 0.2 s

ACCELERATION Initial velocity,

11 dots x1
u
0.2
Final velocity,
x2
v
Elapse time, t = (5 – 1) x 0.2 s 0.2
= 0.8 s Acceleration,
v -u
a
t 6
TICKER TAPE AND CHARTS TYPE OF MOTION

Constant velocity
(i) (i) slow moving

(ii) (ii) fast moving

Distance between the dots

increases uniformly
• The velocity is of the object is
increasing uniformly
• The object is moving at a
uniform / constant acceleration.

• Distance between the dots

decrease uniformly
• The velocity of the object is
decreasing uniformly
• The object is experiencing
uniform / constant deceleration

7
EXERCISE 2.1.1
Question 1
The diagram above shows a ticker tape
chart for a moving trolley. The frequency of
the ticker-timer used is 50 Hz. Each section
has 11 dots.
a) What is the time between two dots.
b) What is the time for one strips.
c) What is the initial velocity
d) What is the final velocity.
e) What is the time interval to change from
initial velocity to final velocity?
f) What is the acceleration of the object.

Ans : a) 0.02s b) 0.2s c) 10cms-1 d) 60cms-1 e) 2s f) 25cms-2

8
THE EQUATIONS OF MOTION

1
s  (u  v)t
2
v  u  at
v  u  2as
2 2
u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
1 2
s  ut  at
t = time taken
s = displacement
a = constant acceleration
2
9
EXERCISE 2.1.2
1. A rocket accelerates with 20 ms-2. Calculate its velocity after 2.5 minutes if its initial velocity
is 3000 ms-1.
Ans : 6000 ms-1

2. A group of student made a rocket and launched it vertically upwards with velocity of 27 ms-1.
What is the total distance travelled by the rocket? [Assume g = 10 ms-2]
Ans : 72.9 m

3. A van travels up a slope and it stops after 12 seconds. Its initial velocity is 18 ms -1. Calculate
its acceleration.
Ans : - 1.5 ms-2

10
2.2 MOTION GRAPHS

DISPLACEMENT – TIME GRAPH

DISPLACEMENT – TIME Velocity is obtained from the gradient of the
GRAPH graph.
A – B : gradient is +ve Velocity is constant.
and constant.
B – C : gradient of the Velocity = 0, object at
graph = 0. rest.
C – D : gradient is –ve Velocity is negative and
and constant. object moves in the
opposite direction.

VELOCITY-TIME GRAPH
Area below graph Distance / displacement
Positive gradient Constant Acceleration
(A – B)
Negative gradient Constant Deceleration
(C – D)
Zero gradient Constant velocity / zero
acceleration (B – C)

11
MOTION GRAPHS
s versus t v versus t a versus t

Zero velocity s v a
DISPLACEMEN
T – TIME
GRAPH

t t t
s v a
Constant
velocity

t t t
Negative & s v a
constant
velocity
t

t t
12
 s versus t v versus t a versus t

Constant s v a
DISPLACEMEN
acceleration
T – TIME
GRAPH

t t t

Constant s v a
deceleration

t t
*** Gradient of s-t graph represent velocity. Gradient ↑, velocity ↑.

13
2.3 UNDERSTANDING INERTIA

The inertia of an object is the tendency of the object to remain at rest or if moving
to continue its uniform motion in a straight line.

Situations Involving Inertia

Newton’s 1st Law
of Motion
When the cardboard is pulled away quickly, the
coin drops straight into the glass. Every object continues
The inertia of the coin maintains its state at in its state of rest or of
rest. The coin falls into the glass due to gravity. uniform motion unless it
is acted upon by an
external force.
When the bus stops suddenly our feet are
brought to rest but due to inertia, our body
Relation between inertia
tends to continue its forward motion. This
and mass
causes our body to thrown forward.
The larger the mass, the
larger the inertia
When the bus moves suddenly from rest our
feet are carried forward but due to inertia of ** Experiment using
our body tends to keep us rest . This causes buckets
our body to fall backwards.

14
 A boy runs away from a cow in a zig zag motion. The cow has a large
inertia making it difficult to change direction.

Chili sauce in the bottle can be easily poured out if the bottle is moved down
fast with a sudden stop. The sauce inside the bottle moves together with the
bottle. When the bottle stops suddenly, the sauce continue in its state of
motion due to the effect of its inertia.

Ways to reduce the negative effects of inertia 15

Characteristic Explanation

The tank which carries liquid in a lorry should To reduce the effects of inertia when stopped
be divided into smaller tanks suddenly.

The part between the driver’s seat and load Prevent the load from being thrown to the
should have strong steel structure front
Hold the passengers to their seat during
Safety belts
collision
Prevent the driver from hitting the steering in
Airbag
an accident
 2.4 MOMENTUM

1. Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity

2. Momentum = mass x velocity
p = mv
3. Momentum is a vector quantity 4. The SI unit of momentum is kg m s-1

The principle of conservation of momentum

The total momentum in a closed system of object is constant.
The total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision if
no external force acts on the system

Elastic Collision Inelastic Collision

Both objects move independently at their The two objects combine and move
respective velocities after the collision. together with a common velocity after the
 Momentum is conserved. collision.
 Kinetic energy is conserved.  Momentum is conserved.
 Total energy is conserved.  Kinetic energy is not conserved.
 Total energy is conserved. 16
 Elastic Collision Inelastic collision

Total Momentum Before = Total Momentum After Total Momentum Before = Total Momentum After

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2 m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1+ m2)v2

Explosion
Before explosion both object stick together and at rest.
After collision, both object move at opposite direction.

Total Momentum Total Momentum after

before collision collision :
is zero . m1v1 + m2v2

From the law of conservation of momentum:

Total Momentum = Total Momentum
before collision after collision
m1v1 = m2v2 0 = m1v1 + m2v2
m1v1 = - m2v2 -ve sign means opposite direction
17
 EXERCISE 2.4
1. A trolley A of mass 3 kg is moving with velocity 2 ms-1 and collides with another stationary trolley
B. After the collision, trolley A moves with velocity 0.4 ms-1. If the collision is elastic, calculate
the momentum of trolley B after collision.
Ans : 4.8 kgms-1

2. A car travels with velocity 32 ms-1 collides head on with a lorry which moving at a velocity of
17ms-1 If the masses of the car and the lorry are 1 200 kg and 5 500 kg respectively, calculate
(a) the momentum of the car before collision
(b) the total momentum
(c) the final velocity of the two vehicles after collision if the collision is inelastic
Ans : a) 3.84 x 104 kgms-1 b) -55100 kgms-1 c) -8.22 ms-1

3. A bullet of mass 5 g with a velocity of 150 ms-1 hits a 1.5 kg of stationary ice cube on a smooth
surface. The bullet passes through the ice cube and travels with velocity of 70 ms -1. What is the
resulting velocity of the ice cube?
Ans : 0.27 ms-1

4. A rifle fires out a bullet of mass 10 g at a velocity of 300 ms-1. If the mass of the rifle is 7.5 kg,
calculate the recoil speed of the rifle.
Ans : -0.4 ms-1

18
 2.5 FORCE
Balanced Force
When the forces acting on an object are balanced, they cancel each other out.
The net force is zero.

Effect :
the object at is at rest [ velocity = 0] or moves at constant velocity [ a = 0]

Lift

Thrust Drag

Weight

Unbalanced Force/ Resultant Force

When the forces acting on an object are not balanced, there must be a net force
acting on it.
The net force is known as the unbalanced force or the resultant force.

Effect : Can cause a body to

• change it state at rest (an object will accelerate)
• change it state of motion (a moving object will decelerate or change its
direction)
19
Force, Mass & Acceleration

Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion

The acceleration produced by a force
on an object is directly proportional to
the magnitude of the net force applied
and is inversely proportional to the
mass of the object. The direction of the
acceleration is the same as that of the
net force.
Force = Mass x Acceleration
When a net force, F, acts on a mass,
m it causes an acceleration, a. F = ma

Relationship between a & F Relationship between a & m

a a

F m
0 0
20
EXERCISE 2.5

1. What force is required to move a 2 kg 4. Which of the following systems will

object with an acceleration of 3 m s-2, if produce maximum acceleration?
a) the object is on a smooth surface?
b) the object is on a surface where the
average force of friction acting on the
object is 2 N?
Ans : a) 6 N b) 8 N

2. Ali applies a force of 50 N to move a 10

kg table at a constant velocity. What is
the frictional force acting on the table?
Ans : 50 N

3. A car of mass 1200 kg traveling at 20

m/s is brought to rest over a distance of
30 m. Find
a) the average deceleration,
b) the average braking force.
Ans : a) 6.67 ms-2 b) 8000 N

21
2.6 IMPULSE AND IMPULSIVE FORCE

Impulse Impulsive Force, FI

The change of momentum The rate of change

mv  mu
of momentum in a
collision or
mv  mu
explosion
Unit : kgms-1 or Ns
Unit = N
t
*** Impulsive force is inversely
Effect of time proportional to time of contact

• Longer period of time

→Impulsive force decrease
t↓ FI ↑ 1 • Shorter period of time
FI  →Impulsive force increase
t↑ FI ↓ t

22
Situations for Reducing Impulsive Force in Sports

Situations Explanation
Thick mattress with soft surfaces are used in events such as
high jump so that the time interval of impact on landing is
extended, thus reducing the impulsive force. This can prevent
injuries to the participants.

Goal keepers will wear gloves to increase the collision time.

This will reduce the impulsive force.

A high jumper will bend his legs upon landing. This is to

increase the time of impact in order to reduce the impulsive
force acting on his legs. This will reduce the chance of getting
serious injury.

A baseball player must catch the ball in the direction of the

motion of the ball. Moving his hand backwards when catching
the ball prolongs the time for the momentum to change so as to
reduce the impulsive force.

23
Situation of Increasing Impulsive Force

Situations Explanation
A karate expert can break a thick wooden slab with his bare
hand that moves at a very fast speed. The short impact time
results in a large impulsive force on the wooden slab.

A massive hammer head moving at a fast speed is brought to

rest upon hitting the nail. The large change in momentum within
a short time interval produces a large impulsive force which
drives the nail into the wood.

A football must have enough air pressure in it so the contact

time is short. The impulsive force acted on the ball will be bigger
and the ball will move faster and further.

Pestle and mortar are made of stone. When a pestle is used to

pound chilies the hard surfaces of both the pestle and mortar
cause the pestle to be stopped in a very short time. A large
impulsive force is resulted and thus causes these spices to be
crushed easily.

24
EXERCISE 2.6

Question 1 Question 2
A 60 kg resident jumps from the first floor of a Rooney kicks a ball with a force of 1500 N.
burning house. His velocity just before landing The time of contact of his boot with the ball is
on the ground is 6 ms-1. 0.01 s. What is the impulse delivered to the
a) Calculate the impulse when his legs hit ball? If the mass of the ball is 0.5 kg, what is
the ground. the velocity of the ball?
b) What is the impulsive force on the
resident’s legs if he bends upon landing Ans : Impulse = 15 Ns
and takes 0.5 s to stop? v = 30 ms-1
c) What is the impulsive force on the
resident’s legs if he does not bend and
stops in 0.05 s?
d) What is the advantage of bending his legs
upon landing?

Ans : a) 360 Ns
b) 720 N
c) 7200 N
d) The impulsive force on the resident’s
legs is smaller and the injuries can be
prevented.

25
2.7 SAFETY IN VEHICLE

Component Function
Headrest To reduce the inertia effect of the driver’s head.

Air bag Absorbing impact by increasing the amount of time the driver’s head to
come to the steering. So that the impulsive force can be reduce
Windscreen The protect the driver
Can be compressed during accident. So it can increase the amount of time
Crumple zone the car takes to come to a complete stop. So it can reduce the impulsive
force.
26
 Component Function
Front bumper Absorb the shock from the accident. Made from steel, aluminium, plastic or
rubber.
ABS Enables drivers to quickly stop the car without causing the brakes to lock.

Side impact bar Can be compressed during accident. So it can increase the amount of time
the car takes to come to a complete stop. So it can reduce the impulsive
force.
Seat belt To reduce the inertia effect by avoiding the driver from thrown forward.

27
2.8 GRAVITY

Gravitational Force  Objects fall because they are pulled towards the Earth by the force
of gravity.
 This force is known as the pull of gravity or the earth’s gravitational
force.
 The earth’s gravitational force tends to pull everything towards its
centre.

Free fall • An object is falling freely when it is falling under the force of gravity
only.
• A piece of paper does not fall freely because its fall is affected by
air resistance.
• An object falls freely only in vacuum. The absence of air means
there is no air resistance to oppose the motion of the object.
• In vacuum, both light and heavy objects fall freely. They fall with the
same acceleration ie. The acceleration due to gravity, g.

28
Acceleration due to • Objects dropped under the influence of the pull of gravity with
gravity, g constant acceleration.
• This acceleration is known as the gravitational acceleration, g.
• The standard value of the gravitational acceleration, g is 9.81ms-2.
The value of g is often taken to be 10 m s-2 for simplicity.
• The magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity depends on the
strength of the gravitational field.

Gravitational field • The gravitational field is the region around the earth in which an
object experiences a force towards the centre of the earth. This
force is the gravitational attraction between the object and the
earth.
• The gravitational field strength is defined as the gravitational force
which acts on a mass of 1 kilogram.
• g = F Its unit is N kg-1.
m
Gravitational field strength, g = 10 N kg-1
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 10 m s-2
• The approximate value of g can therefore be written either as 10
m s-2 or as 10 N kg-1.

29
Weight The gravitational force acting on the object.
Weight = mass x gravitational acceleration
W = mg
SI unit : Newton, N and it is a vector quantity
Comparison Mass Weight
between weight &
The mass of an object is the The weight of an object is the
mass amount of matter in the object force of gravity acting on the
object.
Constant everywhere Varies with the magnitude of
gravitational field strength, g of
the location
A scalar quantity A vector quantity

A base quantity A derived quantity

SI unit: kg SI unit : Newton, N

The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the

second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the
fifth teaching others.

30
The difference
between a fall in air
and a free fall in a Initial
vacuum of a coin and Positio
a feather. n

At vacuum state At normal state

There is no air resistance. Both coin and feather will fall
Both the coin and the
The coin and the feather will fall because of gravitational force.
feather are released
freely. Air resistance effected by the
simultaneously from
Only gravitational force acted on surface area of a fallen object.
the same height.
the objects. The feather that has large area
Both will fall at the same time. will have more air resistance.
The coin will fall at first.

31
Two steel At vacuum state At normal state
spheres are
falling under The two sphere are The two spheres are falling
gravity. The two falling with an down with the same
spheres are acceleration. acceleration
dropped at the The distance between The two spheres are at the
same time from two successive images same level at all times. Thus, a
the same height. of the sphere increases heavy object and a light object
showing that the two fall with the same gravitational
spheres are falling with acceleration.
increasing velocity; Gravitational acceleration is
falling with an independent of mass.
acceleration.

Motion graph for free fall object

Free fall object Object thrown upward and Object thrown downward and
fall fall
v a v a v a

t t t t t t

-10 -10 -10

32
Exercise 2.8
Question 1 Question 4
An object is falling through a vacuum. Which A coconut takes 2.0 s to fall to the ground.
of the following quantities does not change? What is
A. Momentum (a) its speed when it strikes the ground
B. Acceleration (b) the height of the coconut tree.
C. Velocity Ans : a) 20 ms-1
D. Impulse b) 20 m
Question 2
The gravitational acceleration on the moon is
about 6 times less than that on the Earth. If
the weight of a astronaut on the Earth is
720N, what will be his mass on the Moon?
(gEarth = 10ms-2)
Ans : 72 kg
Question 3
A rocket of 50 kg mass is launched vertically.
Its fuel is being burnt at a rate of 2 kg ms-1
and its exhaust gas is being forced out with a
speed of 1000ms-1. What is the initial
acceleration of the rocket ?
Ans : aR=40 ms-2

33
2.9 FORCES IN EQUILIBRIUM

When an object is in equilibrium, the resultant force acting on it is

zero.
Forces in
The object will either be
Equilibrium
1. at rest
2. move with constant velocity.

Newton’s 3rd Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Law

Examples( Label the forces acted on the objects)

Normal
Upthrust
Normal

Thrust Drag

Weight Weight
Weight

34
Examples( Label the forces acted on the objects) Resultant Force
Normal Upthrust

A single force that

represents the combined
effect of two of more
forces in magnitude and
direction.

Weight Weight

Addition of Forces

Resultant force, F = (+F1) + (+F2) = F1+F2

Resultant force, F = (+F1) + (-F2) = F1 - F2

35
Addition of Forces
Two forces acting at a point at an angle [Parallelogram method]

STEP 1 : Using ruler and protractor, draw the STEP 3

two forces F1 and F2 from a point. Draw the diagonal of the parallelogram. The
diagonal represent the resultant force, F in
F1 magnitude and direction.
Scale: 1 cm = k
60°

F2 F2
F1
STEP 2 : Complete the parallelogram F
60°
F2 F1
F1 F2

60°
F1
F2
F = k x length of F

36
Resolution of Forces
A force F can be resolved into components which are
Resolution of Forces
perpendicular to each other:
(a) horizontal component , FX
(b) vertical component, FY

Inclined Plane

Fx = F cos θ
Component of weight parallel to the plane
= mg sin θ
Fy = F sin θ
Component of weight normal to the plane
= mg cos θ

37
Exercise 2.9.1 Find the Resultant Force
1. 2.
17 N

5N

Ans : 23.3 N
3. 4.
8N
120°

8N
Ans : 8 N

5.
2N

120°

5N Ans : 6.25 N Ans : 18844 N

38
6. Figure shows a box with a mass of 3kg being placed on
an inclined plane.
Box The box is pushed with 50N force up along the plane
which is inclined at an angle of 30º from the ground. The
frictional force between the box and the inclined plane is
11 N.

Calculate:
30 º a) the force exerted by the box along the inclined plane
b) the resultant force along the inclined plane
c) the acceleration of the box
Ans : a) 15 N
b) 35 N
c) 8 ms2

39
 Lift

Stationary Lift Lift accelerate upward Lift accelerate downward

***
R R *** R
+
+

W W W

Resultant Force = Resultant Force = Resultant Force =

R -W R -W W-R

Reading of weighing scale = Reading of weighing scale = Reading of weighing scale =

Σ F = ma +↑Σ F = ma +↓Σ F = ma
R – W = ma R – W = m (+a ) W – R = m (+a )
R – W = m(0) R – mg = ma mg – R = ma
R=W R = mg + ma R = mg – ma
R = mg R = m (a + g) R = m (g – a)

Accelerate → +a Decelerate → - a
40
 Free Fall Lift decelerate upward Lift decelerate downward

***
*** R R *** R
+
+ +
a=g

W W W

Resultant Force = Resultant Force = Resultant Force =

W -R R -W W-R

Reading of weighing scale = Reading of weighing scale = Reading of weighing scale =

+↓ Σ F = ma +↑Σ F = ma +↓Σ F = ma
W – R = ma R – W = m (-a ) W – R = m (-a )
mg – R = m(g) R – mg = -ma mg – R = – ma
R = mg – mg R = mg – ma R = mg + ma
R=0 R = m (g – a ) R = m (g + a)

Accelerate → +a Decelerate → - a
41
 Exercise 2.9.2

Lift

Balance scale

1. A boy of 45 kg standing on a balance scale in a lift. What is the reading of the balance scale if
a) the lift is stationary
b) accelerates 2 ms-2 upwards
c) accelerates 2 ms-2 downwards
d) decelerates 2 ms-2 downwards
e) the lift cable snaps

Ans : a) 450 N
b) 540 N
c) 360 N
d) 540 N
e) 0 N

42
 Pulley 43

Alternative Method
L R +↑ Σ F = ma
R T – 30 =3a ------- (1)
*** T *** +↓ Σ F = ma
T L
a 40 – T =4a -------- (2)
+ a +
By solving the equations
simultaneously,
*** depends
on the a = 1.429 ms-1
40N direction of T = 34.28 N
30N motion
1. Find the
resultant force, 40 N – 30 N = 10 N
F
2. Find the moving
4 kg + 3 kg = 7 kg
mass,m
3. Find the F 10
acceleration,a a   1.429ms 2
m 7

4. Find string +↓ Σ F = ma +↑ Σ F = ma
tension, T L 40 – T =4(1.429) OR T – 30 =3(1.429) R
T = 34.28 N T = 34.29 N
 44

Alternative Method
a
L R +↓ Σ F = ma
T R 30 – T = 3a ------- (1)
*** *** +→ Σ F = ma
+ T L T – 2 = 4a -------- (2)
a +
40N By solving the equations
simultaneously,
*** depends
on the a = 4 ms-2
direction of T = 18 N
30N motion
1. Find the
resultant force, 30 N – 2 N = 28 N
F * 40N not found in the
calculation, because it’s not
2. Find the moving
4 kg + 3 kg = 7 kg in the direction of motion !!!
mass,m
3. Find the F 28
acceleration,a a   4ms 2
m 7

4. Find string +→ Σ F = ma +↓ Σ F = ma
tension, T L T – 2 =4(4) OR 30 – T=3(4) R
T = 18 N T = 18 N
2.10 WORK, ENERGY, POWER & EFFICIENCY

Work

Work done is the product of an applied force

and the displacement of an object in the
direction of the applied force

W = Fs
W = work,
F = force s = displacement

The SI unit of work is the joule, J

1 joule of work is done when a force of 1 N moves an object 1 m in

the direction of the force

45
No work is done when:
The object is stationary The direction of motion of No force is applied on the
the object is perpendicular object in the direction of
to that of the applied force. displacement (the object
moves because of its own
inertia)

A satellite orbiting in space.

There is no friction in space.
No force is acting in the
A student carrying his bag A waiter is carrying a tray of direction of movement of the
while waiting at the bus stop food and walking satellite.

Power

Concept Definition Formula & Unit

Power The rate at which work is
W
done, or the amount of P
work done per second. t
P = Power,
W = Work / energy
t = Time
46
Energy
• Energy is the capacity to do work.
• An object that can do work has energy
• Work is done because a force is applied and the objects move. This is accompanied by
the transfer of energy from one object to another object.
• Therefore, when work is done, energy is transferred from one object to another.
• The work done is equal to the amount of energy transferred.

Potential Energy Kinetic Energy

Gravitational potential energy is the energy of Kinetic energy is the energy of an object due
an object due to its higher position in the to its motion.
gravitational field.

m = mass
E = mgh E = ½ mv2
h = height m = mass
g = gravitational acceleration v = velocity
Principle of Conservation of Energy
Energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or
destroyed.
The energy can be transformed from one form to another, total energy in a system
is constant.
Total energy before = Total energy after
47
Exercise 2.10 Principle of Conservation of Energy
1. A trolley is released from rest at point X 2. A boll is released from point A of height 0.8
along a frictionless track. What is the m so that it can roll along a curve
velocity of the trolley at point Y? frictionless track. What is the velocity of the
ball when it reaches point B?

Ans : 5.48 ms-1 Ans : 4 ms-1

48
3. A ball moves upwards along a frictionless 4. A stone is thrown upward with initial velocity
track of height 1.5 m with a velocity of 6 of 20 ms-1. What is the maximum height
ms-1. What is its velocity at point B? which can be reached by the stone?

Ans : 2.45 ms-1 Ans : 20 m

5. A boy of mass 20 kg sits at the top of a concrete slide of height 2.5 m. When he slides
down the slope, he does work to overcome friction of 140 J. What is his velocity at the end
of the slope?

Ans : 5.48 ms-1

49
 Hooke’s Law A property of matter that
enables an object to return to its
The extension of a original size and shape when the
spring is directly force that was acting on it is
proportional to the removed.
applied force
provided the elastic
limit is not exceeded.

ELASTICITY Stretching a wire by an

external force:

Its molecules are slightly displaced

F = kx away from one another.
1. Strong attractive forces act between
F= force on the spring the molecules to oppose the
x = extension stretching
k = force constant of the spring When the external force is removed:
1. The attractive intermolecular forces
F bring the molecules back to their
equilibrium separation.
2. The wire returns to its original
position

x
0
50
 Elastic limit Force - Extension graph

• The gradient of the graph F-x

ELASTICITY represent
= Force constant of the
spring, k
Force constant of
the spring, k • Area under the graph equal
to the work done to extent
the spring
= Elastic potential energy
= ½ Fx = ½ kx2
• The maximum force that
can be applied to a spring
such that the spring will be
able to be restored to its
original length when the
force is removed. • The force required to produce one unit of extension of
• If a force stretches a the spring.
spring beyond its elastic k= F/x
limit, the spring cannot unit N m-1 or N cm-1 or N mm-1
return to its original length k is a measurement of the stiffness of the spring
even though the force no
longer acts on it. • The spring with a larger force constant is harder to
• The Hooke’s law is not extend and is said to be more stiff.
obeyed anymore. • A spring with a smaller force constant is easier to extend
and is said to be less stiff or softer. 51
 L↑
L↓ d↓ d↑
Elasticity ↑ Elasticity ↓
Elasticity ↓ Elasticity ↑
k↓ k↑
k↑ k↓

Length Diameter of spring wire

Factors that effect
elasticity
k = spring constant
Type of material Diameter spring
k↑
Elasticity changes according to stiffness ↑
the type of material. elasticity↓
Steel
F D↓ D↑
Copper
Elasticity ↓ Elasticity ↑
Aluminium
k↑ k↓

x
0
kSteel > kCopper > kAl 52
 In series Arrangement of the In parallel
spring

The same load is applied to each spring. The load is shared equally among the
springs.
Tension in each spring = W Tension in each spring = W /2
Extension of each spring = x Extension of each spring = x
Total extension = 2x Extension of each spring = x / 2
If n springs are used:
Tension in each spring = W Tension in each spring = W /n
Total extension = nx Total extension = x / n

53
Exercise 2.10
1. The original length of each spring is 10 cm. With a load of 10 g, it’s length becomes 12cm.
What is the new length of the spring when it is loaded with 30 g ? Ans : 16 cm

2. The original length of each spring is 10 cm. With a load of 10 g, the extension of each
spring is 2 cm. What is the length of the spring system for (a), (b) and (c)

Ans :
a) 28 cm b) 15 cm c) 32 cm

3. A spring is stretched from a length of 15cm to 21cm by a force of 50N . What is the elastic
potential energy of the spring? Ans : 1.5 J

54
Yuttham Questions
1.

55
 2.

56
57
 3.

4.

58
59
 5.

60
 6.

7.

61
62
 7.

63
64
7. As a researcher, you are assigned to investigate the characteristics of five springs, namely A, B, C,
D and E that could be used in children’s mattresses. Based on the information given in the table
below,
Spring Elastic constant Density/kg m-1 Rate of rusting Cost
A 200 7 800 Average Low
B 600 2 200 High Average
C 1 000 5 100 Low High
D 1 500 3 000 Low Low
E 5 000 10 500 Low High

(i) explain the suitable characteristics of the spring so that it can be used in children’s
mattresses.
[8 marks]
(ii) decide which spring is the most suitable to be used for your research and give reasons for
your choice.
[2 marks]
65
 Answer :

Characteristic Explanation
Elastic constant should be small. so that it is soft and easy to compress
Density should be small so that the mattress would be light and is easy to be
moved around.
Rate of rusting should be low so that the spring will be more lasting.
Cost should be low so it is more economical and more people would use
it.
Spring D is most suitable because its elastic constant is small enough, its
density is quite low, its rate of rusting is low and its
cost is low.

Dear students,
You are advised to answer essay type questions ( in Section B and C ) in table
format.

66