Effects of Force
Measuring length and time, effects of forces, speed, acceleration, distance–time graphs and turning effects.
Before you begin
Look for the effect of the force: a change in motion, shape, size or turning.
Learning goals
- Measuring length
- Measuring time
- Changing shape or size
- Changing rest or motion
- Turning effect
- Meaning of speed and acceleration
- Average speed
- Acceleration
- Distance–time graphs
- Moment of a force
Syllabus statements covered
- use a ruler and a measuring tape to measure length
- use a digital stopwatch to measure time interval
- show an understanding of the following effects of force: — change in shape and/or size of an object
- show an understanding of the following effects of force: — change the state of rest or motion of an object (including change in speed and/or direction)
- show an understanding of the following effects of force: — bring about turning effect of an object
- show an understanding of what is meant by speed and acceleration
- recall and apply the relationship average speed = total distance / total time taken to solve problems
- recall and apply the relationship acceleration = change in speed / time taken to solve problems (for motion in one direction only)
- plot and interpret a distance-time graph
- describe the moment of a force in terms of its turning effect and relate this to everyday examples (knowledge of equations is not required)
Lessons
Work through them in order.
- Measuring Length and TimeChoose and read rulers, tapes and stopwatches, and repeat timings to reduce reaction-time errors.
- Effects of ForcesDescribe how a force changes an object's shape, speed or direction, or makes it turn.
- Speed AccelerationCalculate average speed over a whole journey and acceleration from a change in speed.
- Distance–Time GraphsPlot distance–time graphs, find speed from the gradient and recognise rest as a flat section.
- Turning EffectsCompare turning effects about a pivot and explain why a force further from the pivot turns more.
Practise and check
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