0

Physics Booklet
(2022-2023)

Unit (05): How have we learned to use force?!

Key concept : Systems
Related concepts : Forms
Global context : Scientific and technical innovation.
ATL skills : Research, Thinking, Social
IB Profile : Thinkers - Reflective

Name : ………………………………………….
Class : ………………………………………….
Date : ………………………………………….

Statement of inquiry:
Nature's forms have inspired us to use systems of force and
to create innovative structures.
 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

5.1- Turning effect of the force

Rotational Motion:
Consider the two equal and opposite forces acting on the bar in the next Figure
(notice the bar is floating in space so no gravity is acting on it). Let’s apply Newton’s
first law to the body. The forces are balanced so the body will be at rest or moving with a
constant velocity. However, if we observe what happens we find that although the centre
of mass of the body remains stationary the body rotates; we need to extend our model to
include this type of motion.

If an unbalanced force act on the centre of mass of a rigid body, then it will have
linear acceleration, but it won’t rotate. as in the figure (a). However, if the unbalanced
force does not act on the centre of mass as in the examples in Figure (b), the bodies will
rotate as well as accelerate. We can define the centre of mass as the point on a body
through which an unbalanced force can act without causing rotation.

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |2

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

In the next figure, you can see that there is a single point whose path of the wrench
traces a straight line, as if the wrench could be replaced by a point particle at that location.
The white dot point in the photo represents this point. The point on the object that moves
in the same way that a point particle would move is the center of mass of an object.

Torque τ:
How can you exert a force to open a door easily? To get the most effect from the
least force, you exert the force as far from the axis of rotation as possible, as shown in the
next figure. In this case, the axis of rotation is an imaginary vertical line through the
hinges. The doorknob is near the outer edge of the door. You exert a force on the doorknob
at right angles to the door. Thus, the magnitude of the force, the distance from the axis to
the point where the force is exerted, and the direction of the force determine the change
in angular velocity.

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |3

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

Lever arm:
It is the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the point where the force
is exerted which equals the radius of rotation (as shown in the door figure). But if the force
isn’t perpendicular to the radius, the length of the lever arm is reduced as you’ll extend
the line of the force unit it forms a right angle with a line from the center of rotation (as
shown in wrench figure).

The turning effect of the force depends upon the force and how far the force is from
the pivot. The torque gives the turning effect of the force.
torque = force × perpendicular distance from the line
of action of the force to a point
It describes the combination of force and lever arm that can cause an object to
rotate. The magnitude of a torque is the product of force and the perpendicular lever arm.
The measuring unit of torque is Newton-meters (N.m), and the torque is represented by
the Greek letter (tau τ). 𝝉 = 𝑭. 𝒓. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽
The Previous figure shows a practical
application of increasing torque to make a task
easier. The worker uses a long wrench because it
requires him to exert less force to tighten and loosen
the nut. The wrench has a long lever arm, and less
force is required if the force is applied farther from
the axis of rotation (the center of the nut).

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |4

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

Finding the net torque:

In the next figure, the torque exerted by the first coin (τ 1) is equal and opposite in
direction to the torque exerted by the second coin (τ2) when the pencil is balanced.

Thus, the net torque equals zero, so:

𝜏1 = 𝜏2
𝐹𝑔1 . 𝑟1 = 𝐹𝑔2 . 𝑟2
If we take anticlockwise torques to be positive and clockwise negative, we can say the bar
is balanced when the sum of torques is zero.

Conditions of equilibrium (balancing):

1) Translational equilibrium: the net force exerted
on the object must be zero (∑ 𝐹 = 0) and so the
linear acceleration (a = 0).
2) Rotational equilibrium: the net torque exerted
on the object must be zero (∑ 𝜏 = 0), and so the
angular acceleration (α = 0).
==============================================================
Ex: a seesaw has two bodies above it as shown, prove that both of them are in equilibrium.

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |5

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

Solution:
Taking torques about A:
clockwise = 5 × 4 = 20 N.m anticlockwise = 2 × 10 = 20 N.m.
Taking torques about B:
clockwise = 5 × 8 + 10 × 2 = 60 N.m
(If B was a pivot both forces would cause a clockwise rotation).
anticlockwise = 15 × 4 = 60 N.m
(Here, we have taken the normal reaction. If this was the only force and B was a pivot it
would cause the bar to rotate in an anticlockwise direction).
There are many variations of this problem. In some cases, you can ignore the weight
of the beam (as in the seesaw) but in others it must be taken into account.

We have seen that the force required to balance the bar depends on how far from
the pivot you apply the force. This is the principle of levers and has many applications.
==============================================================
Angular Velocity and Angular Acceleration:
Consider a bar pivoted at one end as in the
next figure. As the bar rotates it sweeps out an
angle Δθ. This is the angular displacement of the
bar and is measured in radians.
When the bar rotates, we can define the
speed of rotation by the angular velocity. This is
the angle swept out by the bar per unit time.
Angular velocity (ω*) is the angle swept out per unit time,
∆𝜃
𝜔=
∆𝑡
And its unit is radians.sec-1

(*)
This sign is called Omega.

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |6

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

If the torques on the bar are unbalanced, then it will begin to rotate. This means
there is change in the angular velocity (from zero to something); we can say that the bar
has angular acceleration:
Angular acceleration (α*) is the rate of change of angular velocity,
∆𝜔
𝛼=
∆𝑡
And its unit is radians.sec-2
Relationship between the angular motion and linear motion:
We know that if Δθ is measured in radians, and so:
∆𝑠
∆𝜃 =
𝑟
Where: ∆𝑠 is the linear displacement, r is the radius.
If we put in our consideration the factor of time:
∆𝜃 ∆𝑠 𝑣
= , 𝜔=
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡∙𝑟 𝑟

Where: v is the linear velocity.

The tangential acceleration of the body,
∆𝑣 ∆(𝜔. 𝑟) 𝑟. ∆𝜔
𝑎= = =
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡
𝑎 = 𝑟. 𝛼

(*)
This sign is called Alpha.

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |7

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

5.2- Collisions in physics

Work, Energy and Power:
Energy is a concept that exists everywhere around us and it has many forms.
Chemical energy derived from food keeps us alive and comes from gasoline to power our
cars. Electrical energy keeps our computers going and our houses lighting. Nuclear fusion
energy produces light and heat in the Sun that sustains life on Earth. And so on.
Very many experiments, from the subatomic to the cosmic scale, appear to be
consistent with the principle of conservation of energy that states that energy is not
created or destroyed but is only transformed from one form into another. This means
that any change in the energy of a system must be accompanied by a change in the energy
of the surroundings of the system.
In other words, if the system’s energy increases, the
energy of the surroundings must decrease by the same amount
and vice-versa. The energy of the system may change as a
result of interactions with its surroundings as shown.

Work done by a force:

The next figure shows a block that is displaced along a straight line. The distance
travelled by the body is s. The force makes an angle θ with the displacement.

The force acts on the body all the time as it moves. The work done by the force is defined:
𝑊 = 𝐹. 𝑠. cos 𝜃
The unit of work is the joule. One joule is the work done by a force of 1 N when it
moves a body a distance of 1 m in the direction of the force (1 J = 1 N.m).

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |8

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

Work done by a force on a particle:

Imagine a net force F that acts on a particle of mass m. The force produces an
acceleration a given by:
𝐹
𝑎=
𝑚
Let the initial speed of the particle be u. Because we have acceleration, the speed
will change. Let the speed be v after travelling a distance s. We know from kinematics
that: 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎. 𝑠
Substituting for the acceleration, this becomes:
𝐹
𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2( ). 𝑠
𝑚
We can rewrite this as:
1 1
𝐹. 𝑠 = 𝑚. 𝑣 2 − 𝑚. 𝑢2
2 2
We interpret this as follows: F.s is the work done on the particle by the
1
net force. The quantity × 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 × 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 2 is the energy the particle has due
2

to its motion, called kinetic energy. For speed v, kinetic energy EK is:
𝟏
𝑬𝑲 = 𝒎. 𝒗𝟐
𝟐
In our example, the initial kinetic energy of the particle is 1 2mu2 and the kinetic
1
energy after travelling distance s is 𝑚. 𝑣 2 . The result says that the work done has gone
2

into the change in the kinetic energy of the particle. We can write this as:
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ∆𝐸𝐾
Where Wnet is the net work done and ΔEK is the change in kinetic energy. This is
known as the work – kinetic energy relation. We can think of the work done as energy
transferred. In this example, the work done has transferred energy to the particle by
increasing its kinetic energy.

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) Page |9

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

Work done by gravity:

The work done by gravity is independent of the path followed and depends only on
the vertical distance separating the initial and final positions.
For the Earth–mass system we determine the gravitational potential energy to be
the work done by the moving force in placing a body a height h above its initial position,
that is:
𝑬𝑷 = 𝒎. 𝒈. 𝒉
Notice that potential energy is the property of a system, not of an individual particle.

Work done in stretching a spring:

We studied Hooke’s law before that shows that
the force F and the extension x are directly proportional
to each other. But how much work does the stretching
force do in stretching the spring from the initial position
to the final one.
If we observe the next graph, we can find that the area
of the graph represents the work done and so the elastic
potential energy that being stored inside the spring.

𝟏 𝟏
𝑬𝒆𝒍 = 𝑾 = 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝑭 ∙ 𝒙 = 𝒌. 𝒙𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
The total energy (mechanical energy) of the system = the sum of all energies (Ek, Ep, Eel)

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) P a g e | 10

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

The law of conservation of momentum:

When two balls of different mass and velocity collide, the momentum of each ball
is changed, however, the sum of their momenta before the collision equals the sum of their
momenta after the collision if the system is isolated and closed.
𝑝𝑖 = 𝑝𝑓
𝑚1 . 𝑣𝑖1 + 𝑚2 . 𝑣𝑖2 = 𝑚1 . 𝑣𝑓1 + 𝑚2 . 𝑣𝑓2
So, according to this the momentum is always conserved.
Collision:
A collision between any two objects, whether the objects include
automobiles such as the ones shown in the next figure, hockey
players, or subatomic particles, is one of the most common
situations analyzed in physics. The details of collision can be
complex during the collision itself, so the strategy is to find the
motion of the objects just before and just after the collision.
If the system is closed and isolated, then the momentum and energy are conserved.
However, the potential or thermal energy in the system might decrease, remain the same,
or increase. Therefore, you cannot predict whether kinetic energy is conserved or not.
The next figure shows three different cases of collision, let’s calculate the kinetic energy
before and after for each case:

For the three cases, the kinetic energy before the collision:
1 2 2 1
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 𝑚1 . 𝑣𝑖1 + 𝑚2 . 𝑣𝑖2
2 2

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) P a g e | 11

 R.Cs: Systems K.C: Forms G.C: Scientific & Technical Innovations

1 1
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = × 8 × 102 + × 12 × 0 = 400𝐽
2 2

But for the kinetic energy after the collision for each case:
1 2 2 1
𝐾𝐸𝑖 = 𝑚1 . 𝑣𝑓1 + 𝑚2 . 𝑣𝑓2
2 2

First case Second case Third case

𝟏 1 1
𝑲𝑬𝒊 = × 𝟖 × 𝟒𝟐 𝐾𝐸𝑖 = × 8 × 12 𝐾𝐸𝑖 = × 8 × (−2)2
𝟐 2 2
𝟏 1 1
+ × 𝟏𝟐 + × 12 + × 12
𝟐 2 2
× 𝟒𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎𝑱 × 62 = 220𝐽 × 82 = 400𝐽
Totally inelastic (plastic) Inelastic elastic
The first two cases (1) & (2): the kinetic energy after the collision is less than before the
collision so it decreases and we call this type of collision as inelastic. Objects made of
soft, sticky materials such as clay, act in this way.
It is observed that in case (1) objects stick together after the colliding, this is called totally
inelastic collision.
In the third case (3): the kinetic energy doesn’t change, after the collision is the same
before the collision so we call this type of collision an elastic.
The loss of energy in the inelastic collision happened because some of kinetic energy
transform into other forms like thermal or sound energy according to the law of
conservation of energy.
If the kinetic energy after collision increased and became larger than before collision, then
we call this type of collision super elastic or explosive. According to the law of
conservation of energy one or more of other forms of energy must have decreased, like a
potential energy from a compressed spring was released.

MYP04 Physics Booklet 2022/2023 – Unit (05) P a g e | 12