A force that exists between objects, even if they are not touching.

A force that exists between objects when they are touching.

The overall effect of a set of forces acting on an object is represented by a single resultant force.

A diagram showing all of the forces acting on a single object.

Forces come in equal and opposite pairs, which act on pairs of different objects.

Newton’s Third Law (with free body diagrams in 2D)

Physics

Resultant forces and their effects

Forces in two dimensions (including resolution of a force)

Moments, levers and gears

Balancing

Force, mass and acceleration (a = (v – u)/t)

Newton's Second Law (including inertia)

Stopping (and estimating stopping distances)

Conservation of momentum

Changing momentum

Stopping safely

In the Gravity in space unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about centripetal forces, orbital motion, stellar evolution, red shift and the big bang.

In the Energy of moving objects unit, pupils learnt how to calculate the amount of energy of objects have because they are moving, stretched or in a gravitational field; and to calculate energy transfers using knowledge of energy conservation and dissipation.

This unit explores forces, interactions, and Newton’s laws, including motion, rotation, and momentum. It covers reaction times, stopping distances, and deceleration dangers. Emphasis is on force diagrams, calculations, experiments, and evaluating methods for accuracy and safety.

Forces make things change

the effect of a set of forces on an object

an object will remain at rest, or in motion in a straight line at constant speed, unless there is a resultant force acting on it

the rate of change of displacement of an object, measured in metres per second (m/s)

a change in the speed and/or direction of an object

is a single force that represents the effect of all the forces on an object.

is the state of an object if there is no resultant force acting on it.

is a drawing on which forces are drawn end to end and to scale, which can be used to find a resultant force.

is one of two perpendicular forces that add up to a single force.

splits a force into two perpendicular forces that add up to that force.

The state of an object when there is no resultant force or moment acting on it.

The turning effect of a force, measured in newton metres (Nm).

A type of lever that increases the size of an applied force.

A type of lever that increases the distance an applied force moves through.

Toothed wheels that rotate around an axle and are used to transfer moments.

An object will balance when the clockwise moments are equal to the anticlockwise moments.

A track which uses a cushion of air to reduce frictional forces in experiments.

A relationship where one value is a constant multiple of the other, represented by y ∝ x.

A relationship where one value is a constant multiple of the other, represented by y ∝ 1/x.

Newton's Second Law of motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the resultant force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

The overall effect of the forces acting on an object.

Caused by a resultant force and results in a change in speed and/or direction of movement.

The amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg).

The mass determined by Newton’s Second Law of Motion; m = F ÷ a.

for driving is the time between noticing a hazard and taking an action to deal with it

is the distance a vehicle travels while a driver reacts; the vehicle does not slow during this time

is the distance a vehicle travels between the brakes being applied and the vehicle coming to a stop

is the sum of the thinking and braking distances

is the product of the mass and velocity of an object, p = m × v

is the principle that states, for a closed system, momentum is always conserved in any interaction

happen when two objects move together and hit each other

happen when a single object splits, or combined objects separate, into pieces that move apart

is the product of the mass and velocity of an object, p = m v, it is a vector quantity

is the velocity of an object at the start of a phase of motion, represented by u

is the velocity of an object at the end of a phase of motion, represented by v

is the change in momentum per second, this is equal to the resultant force acting on an object

Forces used to bring moving objects to a stop.

The time taken for a moving object to stop.

The product of the mass and velocity of a moving object, p = m × v.

Parts of a car designed to crumple during impacts, increasing the stopping time and reducing the stopping forces.

These inflate rapidly in collisions and protect passengers from impacts with hard surfaces.

Forces make things change

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