A force is a push or pull upon an object resulting from the object's interaction with another object. Whenever there is an interaction between two objects, there is a force upon each of the objects.
What is a Force?
In science, the word force has a simple and specific meaning:
- A force is a push or pull.
- Forces can make something start to move, slow down or speed up, change direction or change shape or size.
Common Types of Forces
Forces are Measured in Newtons (N)
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Applied ForceAn applied force is a force that is applied to an object by a person or another object. If a person is pushing a box across the room, then there is an applied force acting upon the object. This force can sometimes be represented as:
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The Normal ForceNormal force is the force that the ground (or any surface) pushes back up with. If there was no normal force, the book would fall through the table or you would fall through the chair! This force can sometimes be represented as:
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Video Guide:
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Topic Tips
- A force is a push or pull.
- The unit of force is called the Newton (N).