Forces and Their Effects - JSS2 Basic technology Lesson Note

A force is any interaction that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object. Forces can cause an object to start moving, stop moving, change direction, or change its speed. There are several types of forces:

1. Gravitational Force: This is the force of attraction between two masses. It keeps planets in orbit around the sun and causes objects to fall to the ground when dropped.
2. Frictional Force: This is the force that opposes the relative motion of two surfaces in contact. It is why cars can stop when brakes are applied and why we can walk without slipping.
3. Tension Force: This is the force transmitted through a string, rope, cable, or wire when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. It is what holds up a hanging picture frame or a suspended bridge.
4. Normal Force: This is the support force exerted upon an object in contact with another stable object. For example, a book resting on a table experiences an upward normal force from the table.
5. Applied Force: This is the force that is applied to an object by a person or another object. Pushing a chair across the room or lifting a box involves applied forces.

Understanding these forces and their effects is essential for predicting how objects will move and interact under various conditions, leading to better designs and safer systems in engineering and technology.