CHAPTER 7: DYNAMICS

MEASUREMENT OF FORCE
The SI unit for measuring force is Newton (N),named after British physicist Sir Isaac Newton (1642 1727). Force is measured with a spring balance or a compression balance. Weight of 100 g = 1.0 N Weight of 1 kg = 10 N

APPLICATIONS OF FRICTIONAL FORCE

Frictional force or the force of friction is the force generated between two surfaces rubbing against each other. Friction is a force that opposes motion. Frictional force has DIRECTION & MAGNITUDE(SIZE)

Friction always act in the direction that opposes the direction of motion. Hence, friction can

a) prevent a stationary object from moving

b) slow down or stop a moving object

DIRECTION OF FRICTION

FACTORS WHICH AFFECT THE FORCE OF FRICTION

a) The weight of the object the heavier the object, the greater is the force of the friction generated b) The nature of the surfaces in contact the rougher the surfaces in contact, the greater is the force of friction generated. The force of friction does not depend on the area of the surfaces in contact.

ADVANTAGES OF FRICTION
Climb a tree Apply brakes and stop a moving car Lean a ladder against the wall Strike a match and a light a fire Hit a nail into a wall File a piece of wood or metal Hold a glass of water and chew our food Walk without slipping

DISADVANTAGES OF FRICTION
a) Friction produces heat. Eg. A saw becomes very hot after using it to saw a piece of plank. b) Friction wears out the rubbing surfaces. Eg. Car tyres becomes worn out after it has been use for some times c) Friction slows down or stops a moving object. If continuously happen, will waste energy. d) Friction produces noise, can cause noise pollution.

APPLICATIONS- INCREASING FRICTION

1. Rough surfaces or have threads on them to increase friction. Eg motor car tyres, the soles of shoes. The rough surfaces prevent skidding.

2. Goal keepers use hand gloves to increase friction so that they can catch the ball tightly.
3. Rubber mats with a rough surface are placed on the floors of bathrooms to prevent people from slipping and falling. 4. Roads are made rough so that vehicles using them will not skid easily. 5. Sandpaper has a very rough surfaces, to be effective in smoothing an object.

APPLICATION REDUCING FRICTION

Using ball-bearings the rotating ball-bearings produce less friction than rubbing flat surfaces. Eg. Ball bearings in bicycles and motor vehicles Using wheels - wheels produce less friction than flat surfaces. Eg. On trolley Using roller rotating roller reduce friction Applying grease or oil grease and oil reduce friction by making the rubbing surfaces slippery Using air a cushion of air between the rubbing surfaces reduces friction Eg: hovercrafts Using a stream lined body this shape reduce air resistance and so reduces friction with the air. Eg. Rockets, Aeroplanes