2.6.2 Types of Forces and Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Types of Forces

Friction

1. Friction is the force that oppose motion.
2. There are 2 types of friction that you need to know in SPM:
1. Static friction – friction between 2 surfaces that are not moving relative to each other
2. sliding friction – friction where an object slides or rubs against another surface.

Tension

When a rope attached to an object is pulling on the object, the rope exerts a force T on the object, and the magnitude T of that force is called the tension in the rope.

Weight (Gravitational Force)

1. Weight is the gravitational force acted on an object.
2. It is always point towards the centre of the earth.

Normal Reaction (Normal Contact Force)

Normal reaction is a force acting perpendicular to two surfaces in contact with each other.
Example

Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Newton’s third law of motion states that for every force, there is a reaction force with the same magnitude but in the opposite direction.

Examples

1. When a man standing on the surface of the earth, his body is pulled by the gravitational force from the earth. 
2. According to Newton’s Third Law of Motion, his body will also have another gravitational force that pull the earth towards him, with the same magnitude as the gravitational force of the earth, but in opposite direction.

(The earth pull the man, the man pull the earth.)

(The man push the wall, the wall push the man.)

(The block press on the table, the table push the block upward.)