A force that exists between objects, even if they are not touching.

A force that exists between objects when they are touching.

The overall effect of a set of forces acting on an object is represented by a single resultant force.

A diagram showing all of the forces acting on a single object.

Forces come in equal and opposite pairs, which act on pairs of different objects.

Newton's Third Law

Physics

In the Gravity in space unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about centripetal forces, orbital motion, stellar evolution, red shift and the big bang.

In the Energy of moving objects unit, pupils learnt how to calculate the amount of energy of objects have because they are moving, stretched or in a gravitational field; and to calculate energy transfers using knowledge of energy conservation and dissipation.

Forces make things change

the effect of a set of forces on an object

an object will remain at rest, or in motion in a straight line at constant speed, unless there is a resultant force acting on it

the rate of change of displacement of an object, measured in metres per second (m/s)

a change in the speed and/or direction of an object

Resultant forces and their effects

The state of an object when there is no resultant force or moment acting on it.

The turning effect of a force, measured in newton metres (Nm).

A type of lever that increases the size of an applied force.

A type of lever that increases the distance an applied force moves through.

Toothed wheels that rotate around an axle and are used to transfer moments.

Moments, levers and gears

An object will balance when the clockwise moments are equal to the anticlockwise moments.

Balancing

A track which uses a cushion of air to reduce frictional forces in experiments.

A relationship where one value is a constant multiple of the other, represented by y ∝ x.

A relationship where one value is a constant multiple of the other, represented by y ∝ 1/x.

Newton's Second Law of motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the resultant force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Force, mass and acceleration (a = (v – u)/t)  

the overall effect of the forces acting on an object

caused by a resultant force and results in a change in speed and/or direction of movement

the amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg)

Newton's Second Law

for driving is the time between noticing a hazard and taking an action to deal with it

is the distance a vehicle travels while a driver reacts; the vehicle does not slow during this time

is the distance a vehicle travels between the brakes being applied and the vehicle coming to a stop

is the sum of the thinking and braking distances

Forces make things change

Choose a lesson (7)

These lessons will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.