Understand what a force is, the different types of forces, and how forces change the motion or shape of objects.
A force is a push or pull that can change an object's speed, direction, or shape.
Give an example where a force changes the shape of an object.
Squeezing a rubber ball or stretching a spring
Give an example where a force changes the direction of a moving object.
Hitting a moving ball with a bat to send it in a new direction
Forces can be contact forces (like muscular or frictional force, requiring touch) or non-contact forces (like gravitational or magnetic force, acting at a distance).
Is friction a contact or non-contact force?
Contact force, since it requires two surfaces to be touching
Is gravity a contact or non-contact force?
Non-contact force, since it acts even without objects touching
1. Define force in your own words.
2. Is magnetic force a contact or non-contact force?
3. Give an example of muscular force.
4. What force pulls objects toward the Earth?
5. Give an example of a force changing an object's speed.