Newton’s Law Study Guide
To find the force being exerted you use the equation F = ma (F= m x a). Potential energy is stored energy or positional energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When the force acting on an object is 0N the object is balanced or not moving. When the force acting on an object is greater than zero (2N) the object is unbalanced or moving. An object that is not moving will begin to move when it comes into contact with an unbalanced force. A moving object will come to rest when it comes in contact with a balanced force. To change the direction of a moving object, the object must come in contact with an unbalanced force. When measuring the force exerted on an object if the forces are acting in the same direction you add the forces together. 5N + 5N = 10N When measuring the force exerted on an object if the forces are acting in opposite directions you subtract the forces. 5N - 7N = 2N The combination of all forces acting on an object is the net force. Force is a push or a pull. Force is measured in N newtons. Newtons first law explains the law of inertia. Inertia is an object resistance to a change in motion. An object at rest will remain at rest until an object or unbalanced force acts on it. An object in motion will remain in motion until an object or unbalanced force acts on it. The more mass an object has the more inertia it has. Newtons second law talks about the relation between acceleration, mass, and force. The more mass an object has the more force you will need to apply to move or accelerate the object. Newton’s Third Law is the law of action – reaction. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.