Content code
s1095
Slug (identifier)
types-of-forces
Grades
Secondary IV
Topic
Science and Technology
Tags
force
force gravitationnelle
coefficient de frottement
force de frottement
fission
fusion
force équilibrante
driving force
effective force
Content
Title (level 2)
What is a Force?
Title slug (identifier)
what-is-a-force
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Corps

A force is an action that can set a body in motion, modify its movement, or deform it.

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The unit used to measure force is the newton |\text{(N)}.| A force of |1\ \text{N}| gives an acceleration of |1\ \text{m/s}^2| to an object of |1\ \text{kg}.|

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How to Diagram a Force
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diagram-force
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A force can be visually represented in a diagram by an arrow outline. 

  • The point of application, which corresponds to the area the force is applied, is positioned at the base of the arrow. 

  • The direction of the force is indicated by the angle and point of the arrow.

  • The magnitude of the force applied is indicated by the length of the arrow and/or its value in newtons. The diagram can include a scale (e.g.: 1 cm : 1 N).

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Diagram of the force applied by a hammer when it comes into contact with a nail.
Description

A hammer strike applies a downward force of around |1\ 000\ \text{N}| to the nail head.

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Diagramming forces helps you understand how a technical object or technological system operates. In fact, certain forces are illustrated in a design plan

Title (level 2)
​​​​​​​​​​What are the types of forces?
Title slug (identifier)
types-of-forces
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Summary Table
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The following table presents the main types of force.

Force Type

Example

Gravitational Force (Fg)

A force of mutual attraction between two bodies.

Under the effect of the Earth's gravitational force, all objects are drawn towards the ground.

A diagram showing a parent pulling their child in a sled. This diagram illustrates the gravitational force applied to the child’s body.

Driving Force (Fd)

A force exerted on an object to set it into motion or modify its movement.

The driving force exerted on the rope causes the sled to move.

A diagram showing a parent pulling their child in a sled. The diagram illustrates the driving force exerted on the sled rope.

Effective Force (Feff)

The component of the driving force that is parallel to the object’s displacement.

A diagram showing a parent pulling their child in a sled. The diagram shows the component of the driving force that is parallel to the displacement, known as the effective force.

Frictional Force (Ff)

A force that opposes the movement of an object when it is in contact with a surface.

A diagram showing a parent pulling their child in a sled. The diagram depicts a frictional force in the opposite direction to the displacement exerted between the sled’s runners and the snow.

Equilibrant Force (Feq)

A force that cancels out the effect of other forces exerted on an object.

To cancel out the effect of the two forces applied by the children, the adult must apply an equilibrant force of 300 N in the opposite direction.

A diagram showing two children applying forces of 100 N and 200 N to one side of the box. An adult applies an equilibrant force of 300 N on the other side of the box, which cancels out the effect of the forces applied by the children.

Electrical Force

A force of attraction or repulsion exerted between two electrically charged objects or charges.

The surface of a balloon becomes negatively charged when it is rubbed against hair. The difference in charge between the balloon and the hair generates an electrical force of attraction. 

A diagram showing the electrical forces exerted between electrons, generated by friction on a balloon’s surface and the protons in the hair.

Magnetic Force

A force of attraction or repulsion between two magnets or between a magnet and a ferromagnetic substance.

A force of magnetic attraction is exerted between the north pole of a compass and the south pole of a magnet. 

Un schéma montrant la force d’attraction magnétique entre le pôle nord d’une boussole et le pôle sud d’un aimant.

 

Title (level 3)
Gravitational Force
Title slug (identifier)
gravitational-force
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Gravitational force (Fg) is a force of mutual attraction between two bodies. 

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An image of a dynamometer with a coffee cup hanging from it. The gravitational force applied by the Earth on the cup is represented by a downward-pointing arrow.
Description

A dynamometer measures the gravitational force exerted by the Earth on an object. The magnitude of this force is equal to the weight of the object.

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Diagram of the gravitational forces mutually applied between the Earth and the Moon.
Description

The gravitational force exerted by the Moon causes the tides

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Normal force (FN) is the force exerted on an object by a surface in contact with it in order to support its weight. The normal force must always be perpendicular to the surface and directed toward the object. 

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Diagram of a normal force applied by a surface to the box it supports.
Title (level 3)
​​​​Effective Force (EST and SE)
Title slug (identifier)
effective-force
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A diagram showing an individual exerting an effective force of 50 N on a rope at an angle of 30° to the horizontal.
Description

Driving force is the force applied to an object set it into motion or modify its movement. 

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A diagram showing an effective force of 43.3 N, i.e. the component of driving force parallel to the displacement of the box.
Description

The effective force (Feff) is the component of the driving force that is parallel to the object’s displacement. It allows us to calculate the work (W) performed on the object. 

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​​​​​​​​Frictional Force
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frictional-force
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Frictional force (Ff) is a force that opposes the motion of an object when it is in contact with a surface (e.g., the ground) or a medium (e.g., the air).

Its intensity depends on several factors, such as the nature of the surfaces in contact and the weight of the object. In other words, the heavier the object and the more the two surfaces in contact adhere, the greater the frictional force.

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A diagram illustrating the force of friction applied to the contact between the surface of an object and the surface supporting its weight. The orientation of the frictional force is opposite to the object’s direction of movement.
Title (level 3)
Equilibrant Force (AST)
Title slug (identifier)
equilibrant-force
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A diagram showing two children applying forces of 100 N and 200 N to the left side of a box.
Description

The resultant force (FR) is the combined effect of all the forces acting on an object. 

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A diagram showing two children applying forces of 100 N and 200 N to one side of the box. An adult applies a balancing force of 300 N on the other side of the box, which cancels out the effect of the forces applied by the children.
Description

The equilibrant force (Feq) is the force that, when applied, cancels out the effect of other forces on the displacement of an object. The object is then said to be in equilibrium.

In other words, the equilibrant force to be added to a moving system is of the same magnitude as the resultant force, but in the opposite direction. So, when a system is in equilibrium, the resultant force of the system is zero. 

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​​​​Electrical Force
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electrical-force
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Electrical force is a force of attraction or repulsion exerted between two electrically charged objects or charges, according to the law of electric charges

Coulomb’s law states that the electrical force between two charged objects is proportional to the quantity of charges and the distance between them.

The area around a charged object where electrical force is exerted is called an electric field.

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A diagram showing the electrical forces exerted between electrons, generated by friction on the balloon’s surface and the protons in the hair.
Description

Electrical attraction forces are exerted between the electrons, generated by friction, on the balloon’s surface and the protons in the hair.

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Magnetic Force
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magnetic-force
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Magnetic force is a force of attraction or repulsion between two magnets, according to the law of poles.

Magnetic force may also be exerted by a magnet or electromagnet on a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt.

The space around a magnet where magnetic forces are exerted is called a magnetic field

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Image of a scrap magnet, an electromagnet that exerts a force of attraction to pieces of scrap metal.
Description

A scrap magnet is an electromagnet that moves scrap metal by exerting a magnetic force of attraction.

Petar An, Shutterstock.com
Title (level 2)
​​​​​Exercice
Title slug (identifier)
exercice
Contenu
Title
Identifier et différencier les types de forces (ATS)
Largeur de l'exercice
720
Hauteur de l'exercice
540
Title (level 2)
See Also
Title slug (identifier)
see-also
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