Science Study Notes - Auburnland (Forces and Energy)
Forces-
Definitions-
- Force: A push, pull or twist.
- Push: Keeps things together/makes them move closer together. (closing a door)
- Pull: Keeps things apart/ makes them move further apart. (tug of war)
- Twist: Makes things turn. (opening a jar lid)
>Types of forces:
Contact forces are forces that touch. eg:) friction
Non-contact forces are forces that don't touch. eg:) gravity, electrostatic, magnetism.
Friction is the force that one surface exerts on another when the two rub against each
other.
Gravity is the force that affects everything on earth. It is a force which pulls objects
towards the centre of earth.
>Force Fields:
Gravitational fields are the region of space surrounding an area in which a body
experiences a force of gravitational attraction. eg:) the earth is surrounded by a
gravitational field.
Magnetic fields are the area around the magnet where magnetic forces act. eg:)
magnets are surrounded by a magnetic field.
>What can forces do to objects:
- Change the shape (twisting, squashing, bending)
- Change the direction of motion (hitting a ball with a bat)
- Make it turn (turning a spinner, opening a door)
- Make it slow down or stop (riding a bike and pressing the brakes)
- Make it start moving or speed up (kicking a ball)
Magnets-
Magnets have two poles, the north pole and the south pole. When opposite poles are
near one another they pull together. This means they attract. When two of the same
poles are near one another, they push away from each other. This means they repel.
>Types of magnets:
- Temporary magnets become magnetised when a magnetic field is present and
lose their magnetism when the field is taken away. eg:) place a magnetised nail
near a paperclip to pick them up.
- Permanent magnets are made from materials like iron & nickel that are naturally
magnetised & already have their own magnetic fields. eg:) magnets you use on
your fridge.
- Electromagnets are created by running an electric current through a coil with a
metal core. They are magnets you can turn on and off. eg:) MRI, TV, computers.
Energy-
Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. Energy can be measured in joules or
kJ. eg:) kicking a ball, burning fuel for heat.
>Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed - only converted from one
form of energy to another!!
>Types of energy:
- Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. eg:) someone walking down the street, a
ball rolling down a hill.
- Potential energy is stored energy in an object that can change when released.
eg:) energy in food, batteries.
- Electrical energy is caused by the movement of electrons. eg:) lightning and
electricity inside our house.
>Energy transformations:
Energy can be changed from one kind to another. For example, when lighting a match
there is chemical potential energy stored in the match head. Then when the match
strikes it produces heat and sound energy. When the match ignites it produces light and
heat energy.
>Other examples of energy transformations:
● Electrical energy from the plug is transformed into heat energy in the oven.
● Chemical energy from the fish is transformed into motion energy when you push
a skateboard.
● Stored mechanical energy from the bow is transformed into kinetic energy when
the arrow is released.
● Chemical energy from the battery is transformed into electrical energy when put
into something.
>Heat energy:
The type of energy that affects the temperature of an object. Hotter substances have
more heat energy and their particles vibrate more rapidly. eg:) boiling water has more
heat energy than cold water.
Conduction is the transfer of heat energy through an object. eg:) heating a pan on a
stove.
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy by invisible waves. eg:) heat or light from the
sun.
Conductors are substances that transfer heat very well. eg:) copper, brass, metal,
aluminium.
Insulators are substances that transfer heat very poorly (or not at all). eg:) glass,
plastic, rubber, wood.
Weight and mass-
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Any object made of matter has mass. The
bigger the mass of an object the more it attracts other objects to it.
Weight is the gravitational force exerted on a person or object. Weight = mass x
acceleration due to gravity.
NOTES:
● An object exerts a force on another object. For example, your fingers exert a
force on your pen when you hold it.
● When the force of friction is low, movement is easy.
● When the force of friction is high, movement is more difficult.
● The direction of the force field on magnets is shown by arrows on the line and
always point away from the north pole and toward the south pole.
● Net force is the combination of all forces acting on an object.
