What is Forces: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In physics, a force is any influence that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object. A force can cause an object with mass to change its velocity (which includes to begin moving from a state of rest), i.e., to accelerate. Force can also be described intuitively as a push or a pull. A force has both magnitude and direction, making it a vector quantity. It is measured in the SI unit of newton (N). Force is represented by the symbol F (formerly P).
The original form of Newton's second law states that the net force acting upon an object is equal to the rate at which its momentum changes with time. If the mass of the object is constant, this law implies that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object, is in the direction of the net force, and is inversely proportional to the mass of the object.
Concepts related to force include: thrust, which increases the velocity of an object; drag, which decreases the velocity of an object; and torque, which produces changes in rotational speed of an object. In an extended body, each part usually applies forces on the adjacent parts; the distribution of such forces through the body is the internal mechanical stress. Such internal mechanical stresses cause no acceleration of that body as the forces balance one another. Pressure, the distribution of many small forces applied over an area of a body, is a simple type of stress that if unbalanced can cause the body to accelerate. Stress usually causes deformation of solid materials, or flow in fluids.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. K

    Cantilevered and line-loaded steel beam

    I found the internal force Vxy 25 +6 =31kn. , bending moment Mmin -qb2/2 , M min- 14 kNm. delta =M/W I can't find Mmax and tau= V/As. So I need help to find Mmax and As wall area, how to find.
  2. lola9

    Two blocks in contact -- find the force between them

    In this problem why do I need to use this formula? F – F12 = m1 a along the x-axis. What does F12=-F21 stand for? And I don't understand when they say to find the magnitude of the forces between the two blocks
  3. C

    Calculate how much weight the crane could lift

    I think the first part is F = mxa? But given the jib is resting on a turntable at a certain distance, does that mean the longer and shorted ends experience different loads? Especially when the shorter end has a 16T counterweight? The second part, I have no idea how to calculate this nor the...
  4. M

    Free Body Diagrams and Forces

    I don't even know how to begin this. I know that I need to somehow account for the drag force that duck 3 is causing on the first 2, but I don't know how to deal with that. I am asking for someone to help me get started, not to give me the answer.
  5. theegyptian

    I Brownian motion and the resultant of forces

    Hello, Why isn't the forces resultant on a "large" molecule (by small molecule: water for example) zero? The reason for this Brownian motion is the thermal agitation of the water molecule. If we talk about white and Gaussian noise in electronics (due to the thermal agitation of the electrons)...
  6. internationallove089

    I A question on momentum conservation of bodies in combined motion

    Frictions are neglected in the system pictured. Here, a 1kg object released from above moves the car underneath. When this object falls off the car, what is its speed in m/s? This question was asked from momentum conservation, but I didn't want to do it from there. Can you solve the question...
  7. L

    Two point masses, where is the force zero?

    Hi, I had no problems calculating parts a and b, but I am having problems with task c For ##F## I got the following, with ##\vec{r}= \left(\begin{array}{c} x \\\ y \\\ 0 \end{array}\right)## , ##\vec{r}_1= \left(\begin{array}{c} -a \\\ 0 \\\ 0 \end{array}\right)## and ##\vec{r}_2=...
  8. J

    Why are the forces on torque tension and not the weight of the mass?

    Let the left string be T1 and the right string be T2. Pretend that the masses are NOT equal and that the total mass on the left is 3mg and the total mass on the right is 2mg. My first thought: Net torque = 3mgR1-2mgR1 Actual solution: Net torque = (T1-T2)*R Once again, the force that's used...
  9. tellmesomething

    Understanding Stress and Strain: The Relationship Between Two Variables

    I was going through the stress-strain curve and I realized that strain is taken as the independent variable and stress as the dependent variable. In reality is this true or is it the other way around?I saw a lot of answers on Quora that say that strain is the cause and stress is the effect. But...
  10. A

    I Permanent Magnetic Dipole in an electromagnetic field

    I've been trying really hard to calculate the forces between a permanent magnet that is within an electromagnetic field. I have tried every formula under the sun, but it seems I am just not using the right ones, as my results always end up nonsensical. To be clear, I am trying to understand the...
  11. nateTheaweseome

    Understanding and Troubleshooting Handlebar Load Calculations

    Hey all, I'm either overthinking it or too tired but this problem should be an easy one to figure out but I'm stumped embarrassingly. Say in the photo above is a lever arm. I'm trying to backtrack to calculate the force a user must input (yellow) against a force (red). It can pivot around...
  12. Hak

    I Dynamics of systems of material points

    I have difficulty understanding the extension of the fundamental laws of material point dynamics to systems. Example 1: Consider a system consisting of two material points. Suppose that the two forces acting on the two constitute a pair of forces of nonzero arm. The resultant of the forces...
  13. G

    The period of a simple pendulum

    While not exactly correct, we will continue to use Newtonian gravitational force and tension force in the lab frame. We will not concern ourselves with GR, besides the approximation is reasonable for low velocity and small mass. In the lab frame, the forces acting on the pendulum is weight and...
  14. Juanda

    The Relationship Between Masses and Angles in a Pulley System

    The problem is based on a similar thread. In fact, the first question is extremely similar. However, the second question is the one I consider more interesting but I posted the first one too for context. If this was just 1 pulley and two masses, then equilibrium is only possible if both masses...
  15. sarah123

    Describe how you could use a pith ball as an electroscope

    Would it still work in a similar manner as an actual electroscope where you would charge it either positively or negatively and then observe attractive or repulsive forces or is there an easier and more efficient method?
  16. S

    I All possible models to explain the hierarchy problem?

    There is an interesting paper by Arkani-Hamed and collaborators (https://arxiv.org/abs/1607.06821) to address the hierarchy problem. There, they consider many possible models of fundamental particle physics where they all have an exact copy of the Standard Model but with different Higgs...
  17. F

    Springs connected to a mass in series?

    I found the answer for the springs in parallel, but not for the ones in series. I believe I don't understand how the forces are interacting properly. Here's a force diagram I drew. Everytime I try to make equations from this though my answer dosen't make sense. The mass m has a gravititoanl...
  18. Nova_Chr0n0

    Engineering Statics - Determine the Reactions on this bent bar levering between two surfaces

    The figure is shown below: Here is my FBD for the figure with assign +x and +y directions I started off by summing up the forces in the x-direction: Next is the summing up of the forces in the y-direction: After this, I solved for the moment at point A: assuming that counter-clockwise is +...
  19. JohnnyLaws

    Finding the position of a person walking across a uniform bar on a fulcrum where it first tips

    I think that explained all in "Relevant equations". Here is the image of this exercise: This is my Free Body Diagram:
  20. JohnnyLaws

    Finding the angle that a string makes with a wall and its tension

    For a better understanding of this exercise here is the image illustrating the scenario described in the statement: So to solve this exercise I began by drawing a forces diagram: I believe I have explained everything in the "Relevant equations" section. What am I doing wrong? The book that...
  21. JohnnyLaws

    Basics of forces/torques and fulcrum

    TL;DR Summary: When a cube is supported at the fulcrum and remains stationary due to a balloon exerting a force in the opposite direction of its weight. So the exercise is as follows: We have a homogeneous cube with an edge length of 2 meters, weighing 98N. On the other hand, we have a balloon...
  22. jaketodd

    B Transfer speeds of forces affected by time dilation?

    Are forces subject to the Lorentz transformation? Not force carriers; I already got that question answered, thanks to @PeterDonis. But forces. The different forms of them, such as the contact forces etc.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_force With time dilation, does the rate of force...
  23. jaketodd

    I The speed of forces, and applying relativity to force carriers

    Are there any limits to how fast forces can exert influence... or are they all instantaneous? How fast are the forces of a collision? I think frame dragging, with gravity, shows that at least gravity is not instantaneous, because if it is instantaneous, then how would it produce drag - it...
  24. Nova_Chr0n0

    Calculating torque about a point with given forces

    I've inserted a photo of the figure, hope everyone can see it. SOLUTION: 1. I first solved for the angle of 100 N and 50 N since I need the force that is perpendicular to point A. >> Angle of 100 N theta = arctan(3/4) theta = 36.870 degree >> Angle of 50 N...
  25. H

    Forces for bodies connected by a wire on inclined surface

    Hello PhysicsForums! Here is my attempt at a solution for the problem stated above: Where m1 and m2 are the masses Where Ff1 and Ff2 are friction for each mass Where a1 and a2 is the resulting acceleration Where S is the fore of the wire (threadforce) Where FN is the normal force The answear...
  26. S

    A Forces on rotating disk object

    Forces on rotating disk object Hi. Is it convenient to ask following question. Suppose we have solid circular object and 5 different moments like in the picture:In moment 1 we apply force (downwars direction) so as to start rotating the object around center of the mass (green dot) , Only...
  27. V

    External forces required to move an electric dipole quasi-statically

    If the dipole is to be in equilibrium at all positions as it's moved so that it's always inclined at 60° to the horizontal, then the torque due to electric field needs to be balanced by torque due to external forces ##F_{ext}## as shown in above diagrams. But such external forces will not make...
  28. vedant_krish

    Tipping Point of Stationary Barbell

    TL;DR Summary: Please Help. I need an answer for an Investigation if a uniform bar of length 2200mm is supported evenly on 2 points (1 and 2) 1190mm apart. The bar is comprised of 3 sections (A, B and C) of varying masses. Section A and C have equal mass and volume and is comprised of the...
  29. O

    I Uncovering the Forces on Drum Lugs: An Engineering Design Exploration

    I am currently designing an alternative to normal acoustic drum lugs and I need to find the forces that are felt by the tuning rods of a drum for the engineering background to my design. I have been able to use the 2D wave equation assuming uniform tension on the membrane and found values of the...
  30. brochesspro

    I Does a person standing up on a swing in oscillatory motion do any work?

    Also, I wonder if a system can have work done to it due to its internal forces, as it is generally said that the work done due to internal forces is zero or at least I have learnt that(cannot trust my knowledge anymore, lol). I got this question in my mind because of a situation in another...
  31. bo reddude

    What are the forces on a cell in a tree vs on the surface of a tree

    Hey everyone. Let's say you have a tall tree. say, 10 m tall. Take a cubic cell 1mm in dimensions. Suppose the cell is at 1 m high in the center of the trunk of the tree. What are the forces acting on the cell? let's say tree cell's mass is t grams. its weight is F= ma = t (9.8) = 9.8 t...
  32. paulimerci

    Three equal forces applied to a rectangle, find net torque direction?

    This is how I interpreted the problem, a) The net torque about point A is zero. This is because the forces F1 and F2 are equal and opposite, and they act at the same distance from point A. Therefore, they produce torques that cancel each other out.. The force F3 doesn’t does not produce any...
  33. H

    Forces in a Line: Examining the Relationship Between Mass and Force

    Hello! In the following image, is it true that S1 = mg/2. Thanks for answears!
  34. Parziter

    Solar System Forces -- Simulating the planetary orbits for my project

    TL;DR Summary: Solar sytem forces on Unity Hello ! For my last year in my school, I've got a project to do, and I wanted to recreate the Solar system with forces on Unity. My forces are Velocity and Acceleration (I'm using the Frenet's formulas). I'm sorry I'm not a physicist and that's why...
  35. S

    I Contemplating Gyroscopic Forces for fighting robot weaponry

    The premise is that whenever you watch Battlebots or Robot Wars, there's usually a robot on there which has a vertical drum spinner which weighs half the robots weight and spins at thousands of RPM, and whenever the robot turns, it cocks one wheel in the air due to the gyroscopic forces at play...
  36. MatinSAR

    Forces acting on a block that is pushed against a wall

    Picture of problem: For the object to be moving, it must overcome friction. ##f=0.5*0.6F = 0.3F## ##mg=22N## Upward motion: ##0.8F>mg+f \rightarrow 0.5F>22 \rightarrow F>44N ## Downward motion: ##0.8F+f<mg \rightarrow 1.1F<22 \rightarrow F<20N ## I think correct option is D. Can you please...
  37. Quasar100

    Normal Forces on a Sphere in a Non-vertical Groove

    neglect friction and motion (sliding) and G(sphere)=20N. In this question I reached two different result with two different solving method.But one of them is false according to answer key. My question is why first solving way is false? Because the first solution way makes sense to me. If we...
  38. L

    B If gravity was a force wouldn't going back in time cause us to float?

    This might sound as a dumb and silly question but if you think about it, it makes sense. If we wrongly assume that gravity is a force just like any other, and given the fact that time is closely related to gravity and that gravitational time dilation is a thing, wouldn't reverse time travel...
  39. sHatDowN

    Simple Addition of Vector Forces on an Eye-Hook

    The screw eye is subjected to two forces, F1 and F2. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
  40. Z

    How does FEM software compute inertial forces?

    Hello I have alwayes seen FEM applications for static structures while each " finite element" of a bar linkage mechanisms should be subjected also to a variable inertial force besides its constant weight how do FEM softwares compute inertial forces ?
  41. MatinSAR

    Balance of forces for two charged spheres hanging from the ceiling

    I think if we don't consider electron's/proton's mass then we can say that the amount of charge doesn't need to be equal according to Newton's 3rd Law. I mean having q on one ball and 2q on another ball , still makes the angles having the same size. Is it true ? What if we consider proton's...
  42. M

    A book rests at an angle against one side of a bookshelf...

    1.52cos(31)+Fbsin(Θb) = (0.305)(9.8) Fbsin(Θb) = 1.69 Now for horizontal direction: Fbcos(Θb) = FLsin(ΘL) cos(Θb) = FLsin(ΘL)/Fb cos(Θb) = (1.52 x sin31)/1.69 cosΘb=0.464 Θb = 62.35 I thought to find Fb I would just plug the Θb value into one of the trig functions, but apparently both of my...
  43. chris25

    Fictitious forces on a rigid body

    I was confused by how to work this problem in a rotating frame. The solution read that the centrifugal force on the mass should be of magnitude 𝑚𝑤𝑅^2. However, I thought it would be 𝑚𝑤𝐿^2 where L is the distance between the mass and the center of the circle (L = l + R). What am I missing here?
  44. L

    B Football padding against forces -- What is the appropriate amount?

    I don't know much about forces, speed, and what is needed to cushion a blow. But after seeing the serious injury of Damar Hamlin, is there a way to create equipment that can easily cushion any impact an NFL player can apply to another player? Or does the equipment get too heavy by that point...
  45. W

    Help with wheels, stopping forces and possibly Simpack

    Hi all, I am new to the forum and hoping for some help please. I work in the rail industry and we use chock blocks to stop trains or carriages rolling. I would like to know about the technical side of how and why the chock stops the wheel from moving. Obviously it wedges the wheel to stop...
  46. G

    Calculating forces on a rod with bearings leaning against a wall

    Hello, id appreciate your help for the following case: in a room, a zero weight rod has zero friction bearings at its extremities. One of his ends lies on the floor, the other is against a wall, forming with it an angle alpha. A verical force fv is applied to the 'wall end'. How to calculate the...
  47. A

    The Work of Friction: Explained in .32m

    The answer is .32m. I set the elastic potential energy as equal to the work, but at first I put the force in the work equation as (F elastic - F kinetic friction) times distance and rearranged. 1/2kx^2 = (kx-Ff) d (0.5) (22) (0.035)^2 = (22 x 0.035-0.042) d 0.013475= 0.728 d 0.013475/0.728 = d...
  48. F

    I Conservative forces and internal and external forces

    Hello Everyone, This is not a completely new dilemma but I have been discussing it with several people and teachers and read different physics textbooks and continue to get different perspectives, sometimes overlapping sometimes not. Let me explain and summarize: Forces are interactions...
  49. paulimerci

    Torques exerted on a vertical disk by multiple forces

    This was how the solution was arrived in the text, Net torque = F block x d block x sin ϴ0 + F rod x d rod x sin ϴ0 - T R sin 90 0 = 2mg x 2R x sin ϴ0 + m x R x sinϴ0 - T R T = 5 mg sinϴ0 I'm wondering do we have to resolve the forces for rod and block in to...
Back
Top