9SCIE: Rocket Science Pt. 1

Force

Defined as a push or a pull

Friction

A force that opposes motion between two objects, it acts to slow objects down and always acts in the opposite direction to movement

Drag

Friction that occurs between a solid surface and a fluid

Support force

A force that completely balances the weight of an object, stopping it falling through the floor or a wall

Buoyancy

The upwards force applied from a liquid onto an object placed in it

Driving force

Any 'machine' that starts an object moving or changes its speed

Tension force

A force that is found in stretched objects

Lift force

An upwards acting force on a wing

Contact forces

Forces that only operate when there is contact between two surfaces

Non contact forces

Forces that do not require contact between surfaces in order for the force to act

Gravitational force

A force that always acts straight down, the pull that results from gravity, pulling objects towards the centre of the Earth

Magnetic force

Occurs when a magnetic substance is in a magnetic force field

Electrostatic force

Occurs between objects which have different electrical charges

Net force

The overall force acting on an object, calculated by adding up the individual forces acting on it, taking into account the direction they act i