Contact force
Force exerted by direct contact between two bodies. E.g.: string tension, support reaction.
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Lesson overview
This lesson brings together the PDF, study notes and chapter flow so you can revise Mechanical Actions without losing the thread.
Contact force
Force exerted by direct contact between two bodies. E.g.: string tension, support reaction.
Non-contact force
Force without contact. E.g.: gravitation, magnetic force, electric force.
Characteristics of a force
Point of application, direction, sense, magnitude (in N).
Weight P
P = m·g. Downward, at center of gravity. Unit: N.
String tension
Force along the string toward the attachment point. Inextensible string: T is uniform throughout.
Experiment 1 - Examples of mechanical actions
Lab protocol.
Experiment 2 - Examples of mechanical actions
Lab protocol.
Experiment 3 - Examples of mechanical actions
Lab protocol.
Experiment 4 - Examples of mechanical actions
Lab protocol.
Experiment 5 - Examples of mechanical actions
Lab protocol.
Application 1 - Examples of mechanical actions
Industrial example.
Application 2 - Examples of mechanical actions
Industrial example.
Application 3 - Examples of mechanical actions
Industrial example.
Application 4 - Examples of mechanical actions
Industrial example.
Application 5 - Examples of mechanical actions
Industrial example.
Key Point 1
Summary 1.
Key Point 2
Summary 2.
Key Point 3
Summary 3.
Key Point 4
Summary 4.
Key Point 5
Summary 5.
Key Point 6
Summary 6.
Key Point 7
Summary 7.
Scientific method
Read data, identify the system, choose the model, write relations with SI units, then check the order of magnitude.
Exam focus
Precise definitions, labelled diagrams, unit conversions, document analysis, and justified numerical results.
Forces and motion
Always state the reference frame, system, applied forces, and vector directions before calculating.
Units
Force in newtons (N), mass in kg, distance in m, speed in m/s.