Physics First

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POGIL: Types of Forces By the end of this POGIL you should be able to describe the types of forces that act on an object. Agents and Objects We had learned earlier that forces are always caused by some agent and exerted on an object. The agent is the thing that does the pushing or pulling. The object is the thing that experiences the pushing or pulling. For example, if you are pushing your chair under the desk then you are the agent and the chair is the object. 1. In each of the following descriptions of a force, identify the agent and the object. (a) A student pulls open a door. agent: (b) A soccer player kicks a ball. agent: (c) A rope holds up a mountain climber. agent: (d) A set of table legs support a table top. agent: object: object: object: object:

Types of Forces We classify forces according to the agent that exerts the force. Some of the forces that we will use in this course are described below. Gravity: The force exerted by the planet that you are on. In our case this is typically the Earth. Your weight is a measure of the gravitational force that the Earth exerts on you. Tension: The force exerted by a rope, chain, or similar device. Support Force: The force exerted by a surface that an object rests upon. This force is always perpendicular to the surface. It is sometimes also called normal force. Friction: The force exerted by a surface when it resists sliding. This force is always parallel to the surface. You can feel this force when you rub your hands together or slide your hand across a surface. Air Resistance: The force exerted by the surrounding air that resists motion through the air. 2. Identify the agent that exerts each of the following types of forces: (a) tension (b) gravity (c) friction (d) air resistance

Physics First

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(e) support force. 3. Note that both friction and support force are exerted by similar agents. What, then, makes them different?

4. Below are several descriptions of an object and a diagram showing the forces acting on the object, indicated by arrows. Label each arrow according to the type of force it represents. (a) A sky diver is falling through the air.

(b) A person drags a sled to the right across some snow using a rope.

(c) A box sits on a table.

(d) A car slows down as it approaches a stoplight.

5. Are forces ever exerted by non-living objects? If so, provide an example. If not, explain why not.

6. Why is net force NOT a type of force?