Lesson 1: Resultant forces and types of forces.

LESSON 1: Resultant Forces

 I can draw vector diagrams accurately.

o Size and direction of the arrow represent the size and direction of the force.
 I can calculate resultant forces on an object with two forces acting on it.
o Can add two forces acting in same direction to find the resultant force, with size and
direction.
o Can subtract two forces acting in the opposite direction to find the resultant force,
with size and direction.
 I can calculate resultant forces on an object with more than two forces acting on it.
o Be able to find the resultant force on an object that has more than two forces acting on
it in horizontal and vertical directions.
o Make sure students remember to treat horizontal and vertical forces separately.
 I can resolve forces into horizontal and vertical components.
o Can draw the horizontal and vertical components fairly accurately – do not need to
draw to scale but do need to show clearly enough the scale of the forces.
o Be able to add vector force diagrams (only need to be able to draw the arrows head to
tail)
o Do not need to be able to find the value of components using trigonometry.

Lesson plan

Introduce Forces – fundamental forces – the quest for physics – unified force. The big bang – Higgs

Prior learning: studying motion – speed, acceleration, distance we are studying the effects of motion

Now study cause – forces cause objects to change their motion – accelerate.

What forces do – change shape, direction and speed.

Examples of changing shape - force –rubber band /spring- change shape – Hooke’s Law,

Types of forces – weight, normal contact force, drag, friction, upthrust…

Forces as vectors – resultant forces – size and direction – recap vectors

Unit of force – Newton – Measure force using a newton metre – potential practical?

Demo – two newton meters pulling an object.

Components and vector drawings – scale drawings

calculations for adding and subtracting forces.

Experiment: Force of friction shoe – get results…

How to measure a force – use a newton meter (nanoscale newton meters)

Lesson outline:

Intro: Importance of forces – big picture… cosmology, Higgs.

“In the previous AOK we studied the effects of motion. We learnt how to describe motion with
vectors, represent motion in graphs and calculate using equations”

“Can we guess what we will study in this AOK?”

“We study the causes of motion – Forces”

We will understand what causes an objects motion to change yet another to remain constant –
unchanged?

Recap:

Organise scalar and vector quantities

What is a vector?

What is acceleration, velocity, distance, … organise into scalar and vectors.

What is a force?

Build on existing knowledge of forces from primary school – uses of the word forces – ask for
examples or provide – kibble

Force is a type of action – forces can push, pull, twist, stick,

Types/examples of forces:

Normal contact force, weight, drag, up-thrust, magnetic, electrostatic, friction…

Use BEST diagnostic test to name forces deduce how much they recall from primary school…

Provide worksheet stick in?

Forces as vectors:

- Introduce forces as vectors have size (magnitude) and direction.

- Question: What does the size of the force mean?
- I lift two weights (give in kilograms); how would the forces differ to lift each object?
- Mention kg measures mass, what do we measure force in? Newtons (why?)
- How could we measure? Use a Newton meter.
- Question: How can forces act in different directions? Can you give an example?
- Push a weight across the desk and lift it – compare- different forces and different directions.
- Conclusion: forces are vectors. They have magnitude and direction … We need to always
refer its size and direction… not only refer to magnitude – e.g. can’t just say a force of 12N …
- Demonstrate forces as vectors.
- Two people pulling on force metres – double pulling, one pulling against, different angles.

Big book vs small book lift up –

I don’t know which one is heavier – I need to quantify… - units…

What if I was using more force lifting my right arm than my left arm?

Use moments example hang masses at different positions from pivot…

Meaningless to just say I need 12N – I need to state direction.

Could ask students to write up … what I’ve said…

Demo/practical using force meters…

Main activity:

Calculations - Resultant vectors – components, same direction, opposites

Lesson order:

1) Intro: Importance of forces – big picture… cosmology, Higgs,

2) Discuss introduce ideas of acceleration, velocity etc – study effects of motion not cause.
3) Recap knowledge of vectors, scalars, acceleration, velocity, displacement:
- Categorize into scalars and vectors
- Define acceleration etc – equations, units.
- Worksheet / PPT.
4) Ask what is a force – provide examples? – BEST diagnostic test – digital test or worksheet?
5) What do forces do – change speed, direction and shape (rubber band demo)
6) Forces as vectors – size of forces – how we measure the size of a force?
7) Direction of forces – newton meter challenges with direction
8) Word fill for what has been mentioned in demo (should be 30 mins)
9) Resultant forces – calculations, resolving etc.
10) Diagnostic test – forces in two directions – resultant 2D –
11) Practical activity using newton meters? friction?

Crossword for forces and motion – revision sheet…

Word fill – fill in blanks

Calculation practice…