7. Concept of Force

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• Syllabus
• Introduction to Mechanics

  • 1. Units and Dimensional Analysis
  • 2. Problem Solving and Estimation
• Mathematics: The Language of Science

  • 3. Cartesian Coordinates and Vectors
• Translational Kinematics

  • 4. One-Dimensional Kinematics and Free Fall
  • 5. One-Dimensional Kinematics: Non-Constant Acceleration
  • 6. Two-Dimensional Kinematics
• Force and Newton's Laws of Motion

  • 7. Concept of Force
  • 8. Applications of Newton's Second Law
• Circular Motion

  • 9. Circular Motion Kinematics
  • 10. Circular Motion Dynamics
• Conservation of Energy

  • 11. Work and Energy
  • 12. Work and the Dot Product
  • 13. Potential Energy
  • 14. Application of Energy Conservation
  • 15. Mechanical Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
• Momentum

  • 16. Momentum and Impulse
  • 17. Systems, Center of Mass, and Conservation of Momentum
  • 18. Collision Theory
  • 19. Continuous Mass Flow
• Two-Dimensional Rotational Motion

  • 20. Two-Dimensional Rotational Kinematics
  • 21. Two-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics
  • 22. Torque and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
  • 23. Static Equilibrium
• Angular Momentum

  • 24. Angular Momentum
  • 25. Conservation of Angular Momentum
• Rotation and Translation

  • 26. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Kinematics
  • 27. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Dynamics
• Central Force Motion

  • 28. Central Force Motion and the Kepler Problem
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Learning Objectives

• Explain the concept of a force law as an empirical relation between the force exerted on an object and properties of the object.
• Be able to use Newton’s Third law when analyzing problems involving more than one object.
• Be able to construct a force diagram to represent the forces exerted on the system by other objects that interact with the system.
• Explain how empirical force laws are used in Newton’s 2^nd law.
• Explain the relationship between the description of motion and Newton’s 2^nd law.
• Be able to explain the meaning Newton’s 1^st law: physical laws (such as force laws) are the same in all inertial reference frames.

Preparation

Course Notes

Notes: The Concept of Force (PDF - 5.3MB)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Chapter 4.1-4.6, 12.1-12.2. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Lecture Video

Video Excerpts

Learning Activities

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Concept of Force (PDF - 1.8MB)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 1.4MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/force-and-newtons-laws-of-motion/concept-of-force/help-session-1/RXWhCQHqvwQ.srt'}

Help Session 2

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/force-and-newtons-laws-of-motion/concept-of-force/help-session-2/q1WOstOZqsU.srt'}

Related Resources

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try these:

• Try out a few interactive simulations from PhET:
  • Forces in 1 Dimension
  • Gravity Force Lab
  • The Ramp
• Learn about Newton's Laws from HyperPhysics at Georgia State University.
• Read about Newton's Laws of Motion and Force on Wikipedia.

 

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