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š¬ Think about it
How many ways can you move a heavy cardboard box? Push it, pull it, lift it, drag it with a rope. Try as you might, every single way comes down to one of two actions. What are they? Let's explore.
What is a force?
- Every way of moving the box is either a push or a pull.
- The push or pull applied on an object is called a force.
- So force is simply a push or a pull.
Example:
Pushing a door open and pulling a drawer out are both forces.
In this Activity, we will move a box in as many ways as we can and see what every way has in common.
Materials needed
A large cardboard box.
Procedure
1. Take the large cardboard box.
2. Try moving the box in as many different ways as you can think of.
3. Note down each way you used to move it.
2. Try moving the box in as many different ways as you can think of.
3. Note down each way you used to move it.
Observation
In every way of moving the box — pushing, pulling, lifting or dragging — you had to apply a push or a pull.
Explanation
The push or pull applied on an object is what we call a force in science.
ā Summary
- Many ways to move a box
- All are push or pull
- Push or pull = force
Important Definitions
- Force — A push or a pull applied on an object.
