Binder Bulletin and
Study Guide
UNIT 6:
FORCES
The Big Picture…
Not all objects experience balanced forces. When an unbalanced force acts on an object it accelerates in the
direction of the net force. How much an object accelerates depends on the size of the net force and the mass
of the object. Also, objects in motion do not always stay in motion because of unseen forces such as friction,
air resistance, and gravity. Friction and air resistance apply a force in the opposite direction of an object’s
motion resulting in a change of motion for that object.
 How do forces make objects move?
 If Newton’s First Law is true, then does a rolling ball stop rolling?
 What are the benefits of friction?
 Are parachutes useful everywhere?
 Is it true that “The bigger they are, the harder they fall”?
 What factors affect how fast an object falls?
Prerequisite Knowledge…You should be able to:
1. Solve mathematical equations
2. Calculate net force and speed, acceleration
3. Contrast the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object
4. Define force, acceleration, mass, and velocity.
5. Name the SI units for speed, distance and time
6. Describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces
7. State Newton’s Laws of Motion in your own words
Suggested Resources…
Homework and Classwork Assignments
Laboratory Activities and Quizzes
Textbook pages:
Chapter 5 p. 119-122 (Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration)
Chapter 5 p. 134-139, 77 (Gravity)
Chapter 6 p. 152-153 (Air Resistance)
Chapter 6 p. 161-164 , 777(Newton’s Laws of Motion)
Websites:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/newton-law-of-motion3.htm
http://www.ic.arizona.edu/~nats101/n2.html
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/newtlaws/efff.cfmhttp://www.tutorvista.com/content/physics/physi
cs-i/newtons-laws-motion/animation-newtons-second-law.php
http://science.howstuffworks.com/newton-law-of-motion3.htm
http://www.ic.arizona.edu/~nats101/n2.html
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/newtlaws/efff.cfmhttp://www.tutorvista.com/content/physics/physi
cs-i/newtons-laws-motion/animation-newtons-second-law.php
http://people.rit.edu/vjrnts/courses/physics1/homework/feather.html
http://homepage.usask.ca/~dln136/projectile/pages/module1.html
Key Terms:
 Acceleration
 Net

Balanced

Net Force

Directly proportional

Newton

Distance

Per

Drag

Reference Point

Dynamic

Resistance

Fluid

Speed

Force

Static

Friction

Surface area

Gravity

Time

Inertia

Velocity

Inversely proportional

Unbalanced

Mass

Weight

Meter

Directions: Use this information as a general reference tool to guide you through this unit. Don’t
hesitate to ask your teacher for help!
By the conclusion of this unit,
you should be able to explain each main idea below in your own words with supporting details:
PART ONE: Newton’s First Law and Speed/Velocity
______1. Newtons are the unit of force in the SI system
______2. Net force is the total sum or difference of all the forces acting on an object.
______3. Forces in opposite directions cancel each other and the net force is the difference of the two forces.
The object moves in the direction of the greater force
______4. Forces in the same direction reinforce each other and the net force is equal to the sum of the
forces. The object moves in the direction the forces were going originally
______6. Forces which are not directly opposite change the direction of motion and possibly the speed
______7. Forces of the same size in opposite directions cancel each other out completely. The result in no
change in motion
______8. Velocity indicates speed and direction of an object. They are both measured in meters per second
(m/s)
______9. The formula for speed and velocity is distance divided by time. V= d / t
______10. Newton’s First Law states that an object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will
stay at rest until another unbalanced force acts on it.
PART TWO: Newton’s Second and Third Laws and Acceleration
______11. The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force applied to it.
______12. The acceleration of an object is inversely proportional to the mass of the object.
______13. Acceleration is measured in meters per second per second (m/s/s or m/s2) and is the change in
motion an object experiences.
______14. Newton’s Second Law states that force equals mass times acceleration. F=m x a
______15.The formula for acceleration is change in speed divided by time. a= (Vf-Vi) / t
______16. Newton’s Third Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
PART THREE: Gravity and Friction
______17. Friction acts to oppose motion of objects whose surfaces are touching.
______18. The amount of friction between two surfaces is dependent on the types of surfaces of the objects
and the forces pushing the surfaces together.
______19. Static friction exists between surfaces which are not moving.
______20. Kinetic friction exists between surfaces which are moving over one another.
______21. Overcoming static friction is more difficult than overcoming kinetic friction.
______22. An object moving through both air and fluids produce friction.
______23. Air resistance is a special case of friction and influence by multiple factors.
______24. Air resistance is directly proportional to the speed at which the object moves and the surface area
of the moving object.
______25. Friction and gravity act as unseen forces and contribute to the net force on an object.
______26. Gravity is a force of attraction between all masses in the universe.
______27. The force of gravitational attraction between two objects is directly proportional to the masses of
the objects
______28. The force of gravitational attraction between two objects is inversely proportional to the distances
between the objects.
______29. Weight is a force due to gravity.
______30. On the same planet, mass and weight are directly proportional, but not identical
By the conclusion of this unit, USING THE MAIN IDEAS ABOVE AND INFORMATION FROM CLASS,
you should be able to complete the following tasks:
PART ONE: Newton’s First Law and Speed/Velocity
______1. Given a diagram showing forces, determine the net force on an object
______2. Predict the movement of an object based on the net forces applied to it
______3. Measure distance and time of an object’s motion
______4. Evaluate and manipulate the equation for speed to determine speed/velocity, distance or time
______5. Explain the relationship between speed, distance, and time. As one increases, what happens to
the other two variables.
PART TWO: Newton’s Second and Third Laws and Acceleration
______6. Evaluate and use F=ma to solve for mass, acceleration and net force
______7. Use sample data to calculate the acceleration due to gravity on earth
______8. Use acceleration to determine the speed of falling objects
______9. Evaluate and use a= (Vf-Vi) / t to solve for acceleration, change in velocity, or time.
______10. Use sample data to calculate the acceleration or change in motion of an object
______11. Identify an action/reaction pair and how they determine the motion of an object.
PART THREE: Gravity and Friction
______12. Describe the factors which effect friction and air resistance
______13. Determine and explain the effects of factors on friction and air resistance.
______14. Design an experiment to investigate how the friction produced by surfaces of different textures
affects motion of an object.
______15. Predict the acceleration due to gravity on different planets
______16. Use the acceleration due to gravity on different planets to determine the weight of objects on that
Planet
______17. Contrast weight and mass on different planets
______18. Given a hypothetical planet, predict and justify the behavior (speed and acceleration) of objects
using gravitational force