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๐ฌ Think about it
A friend grabs your moving bicycle and it stops. A bat sends a ball flying in a new direction. A squeezed balloon changes shape. Same idea — a force — but very different results. So what can a force actually do?
What can a force do to an object?
- Make an object move from rest.
- Change the speed of a moving object.
- Change the direction of motion of an object.
- Change the shape of an object.
- It can cause some or all of these effects.
What a Force Can Do
Start or stop
Move an object from rest or bring it to rest
↓
Change motion
Change the speed or the direction of motion
↓
Change the shape of an object
In this Activity, we will list everyday push-and-pull actions and work out the effect of each force.
Materials needed
A notebook to make Table 5.1 (actions and their effects).
Procedure
1. Think of situations where a force (push or pull) is applied and list them in Table 5.1.
2. Analyse each situation and write the effect of the force.
3. Some rows are given as examples to start you off.
2. Analyse each situation and write the effect of the force.
3. Some rows are given as examples to start you off.
Observation
| Action | Push/Pull | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Friend holding your moving bicycle from behind to stop it | Pull | Stopping or decreasing the speed of the bicycle |
| Hitting a moving ball with a bat | Push | Changing the direction of a moving ball |
| Pressing an inflated balloon | Push | Change in shape of the balloon |
Explanation
A force can make an object start, stop, speed up, slow down, change direction, or change shape. None of these happen without a force.
โ Summary
- Force can start or stop motion
- Force can change speed or direction
- Force can change shape
โ
Test Yourself
-
What is a force?
View Answer
A push or a pull applied on an object. -
Name two effects a force can have on a moving object.
View Answer
It can change the object's speed and its direction of motion. -
Can a force change the shape of an object?
View Answer
Yes — for example, pressing a balloon changes its shape. -
What kind of push or pull stops a moving bicycle held from behind?
View Answer
A pull, which decreases the bicycle's speed.
Important Definitions
- Effect of a force — A force can start motion, stop motion, change speed, change direction, or change the shape of an object.
๐ NCERT Question 8 — Is any force being applied
Is any force being applied to an object that is in non-uniform motion?
View Answer →
