Grade 10
  1. Mechanics  1.1. Dynamics  1.1.1. Motion in one dimension  1.1.2. Motion in two dimensions  1.1.3. Displacement and Distance  1.1.4. Speed and Velocity  1.1.5. Acceleration  1.1.6. Graphical representation of motion  1.1.7. Equations of motion  1.1.8. Free fall and acceleration due to gravity  1.1.9. Projectile motion  1.1.10. Relative speed  1.2. Dynamics  1.2.1. Newton's Laws of Motion  1.2.2. Inertia and mass  1.2.3. Force and its types  1.2.4. action and reaction force  1.2.5. Friction and its effects  1.2.6. Coefficient of friction  1.2.7. Circular motion  1.2.8. Centripetal force and centripetal acceleration  1.2.9. Momentum and Impulse  1.2.10. Conservation of momentum  1.2.11. Newton's third law and applications  1.3. Work, Energy and Power  1.3.1. Work done by the force  1.3.2. Work–energy theorem  1.3.3. Kinetic energy  1.3.4. Potential energy  1.3.5. Mechanical energy  1.3.6. Energy Conservation  1.3.7. Power and efficiency  1.3.8. Renewable and non-renewable energy sources  1.4. Gravitational force  1.4.1. Newton's law of universal gravitation  1.4.2. Gravitational field and field strength  1.4.3. Acceleration due to gravity on different planets  1.4.4. Kepler's laws of planetary motion  1.4.5. Orbits and satellites  1.4.6. Weight and apparent weight  1.4.7. Gravitational potential energy
  2. Properties of matter  2.1. States of matter  2.1.1. Solid, liquid and gas  2.1.2. Molecular structure of matter  2.1.3. Intermolecular forces  2.1.4. Plasma and Bose–Einstein condensate  2.2. Pressure  2.2.1. Definition of Pressure  2.2.2. Pressure in liquids  2.2.3. Atmospheric pressure  2.2.4. Pascal's principle  2.2.5. Archimedes' Principle and Buoyancy  2.2.6. Surface tension and capillarity  2.3. Elasticity  2.3.1. Hooke's law  2.3.2. Stress and strain  2.3.3. Elastic Limit and Modulus of Elasticity  2.3.4. Applications of Elasticity
  3. Thermal physics  3.1. heat and temperature  3.1.1. Difference Between Heat and Temperature  3.1.2. Temperature scale  3.1.3. Thermal expansion  3.1.4. Thermal equilibrium  3.2. Heat transfer  3.2.1. Conductivity  3.2.2. Convection  3.2.3. Radiation  3.2.4. Insulation and its applications  3.3. Thermal properties of matter  3.3.1. Specific heat capacity  3.3.2. Latent heat and phase change  3.3.3. Boiling and Melting Point  3.3.4. Heat engines and refrigeration  3.4. Laws of Thermodynamics  3.4.1. Zeroth law of thermodynamics  3.4.2. First law of thermodynamics  3.4.3. Second law of thermodynamics  3.4.4. Carnot cycle
  4. Waves and optics  4.1. Nature and properties of waves  4.1.1. Types of waves in nature and properties of waves  4.1.2. Transverse and longitudinal waves  4.1.3. Wave parameters  4.1.4. Reflection and refraction of waves  4.1.5. Superposition and Interference  4.1.6. Standing Waves and Resonance  4.1.7. Doppler effect  4.2. Sound waves  4.2.1. Characteristics of sound waves  4.2.2. Speed of sound in different mediums  4.2.3. Applications of sound waves  4.2.4. Ultrasound and its uses  4.3. Light Waves and Optics  4.3.1. Nature of light  4.3.2. Reflection of light  4.3.3. Laws of reflection  4.3.4. Mirrors and Image Formation  4.3.5. Refraction of light  4.3.6. Snell's Law  4.3.7. Lenses and Image Formation  4.3.8. Total internal reflection and critical angle  4.3.9. Optical fibre  4.4. Optical Instruments  4.4.1. Microscope  4.4.2. Telescope  4.4.3. Human eye and vision defects  4.4.4. Camera and its working principle
  5. Electricity and Magnetism  5.1. Electrostatics  5.1.1. Electric charge and its properties  5.1.2. Conductors and Insulators  5.1.3. Coulomb's law  5.1.4. Electric field and field lines  5.1.5. Electric potential and potential difference  5.1.6. Capacitors and Capacitance  5.2. Current Electricity  5.2.1. Electric current and its measurement  5.2.2. Ohm's law  5.2.3. Resistance and resistivity  5.2.4. Series and Parallel Circuits  5.2.5. Electric power and energy  5.2.6. Kirchhoff's Laws  5.3. Magnetism and Electromagnetism  5.3.1. Magnetic field and field lines  5.3.2. Magnetic effects of electric current  5.3.3. Electromagnetic induction  5.3.4. Faraday's laws of electromagnetic induction  5.3.5. Transformers and Applications  5.3.6. AC and DC current
  6. Modern Physics  6.1. Nuclear physics  6.1.1. Structure of the atom  6.1.2. Bohr's atomic model  6.1.3. Electron Energy Levels  6.1.4. X-rays and applications  6.2. Radioactivity  6.2.1. Types of radiation  6.2.2. Half-life and radioactive decay  6.2.3. Nuclear reactions and applications  6.2.4. Fission and Fusion  6.3. Quantum physics  6.3.1. Wave–particle duality  6.3.2. Photoelectric effect  6.3.3. Energy quantization  6.3.4. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
  7. Electronics and Communication  7.1. Semiconductors  7.1.1. Conductors, Insulators and Semiconductors  7.1.2. Diodes and their applications  7.1.3. Transistors and Logic Gates  7.1.4. LEDs and photodiodes  7.2. Communication Systems  7.2.1. Basics of communication  7.2.2. Analog and digital signals  7.2.3. Wireless and optical fibre communication  7.2.4. Radio Waves and Modulation

Grade 10 → Mechanics → Dynamics ↓


Newton's Laws of Motion


Newton's laws of motion are three physical laws that form the foundation of classical mechanics. They describe the relationship between the motion of an object and the forces acting upon it. These laws were first formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in his work "Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica", published in 1687. The three laws of motion are as follows:

First law: Law of inertia

The first law, also called the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will keep moving at a constant velocity, unless an external force is applied to it. This means that objects continue doing what they are doing unless there is a change.

Understanding inertia

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist a change in its state of motion. More mass means more inertia because more force is needed to change the object's motion. For example, consider a heavy truck and a small car. The small car is easier to push because it has less mass and therefore less inertia than the truck.

inertia of a box

This picture shows a box on the ground. If no force is applied to it, the box will not move due to its inertia. If you push it, it will start moving by overcoming inertia.

Examples in daily life

  • Stationary car: A stationary car remains stationary unless someone applies a force to move it, such as starting the engine and driving.
  • Moving bicycle: When you pedal, the bicycle continues to move on the path until you apply the brakes or it collides with something.

Second law: Law of acceleration

The second law describes how the velocity of an object changes when an external force is applied to it. This law states that the acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force applied on it and inversely proportional to its mass. The mathematical equation for this law is:

F = ma

Where:

  • F is the net force applied to the object (in Newtons).
  • m is the mass of the object (in kilograms).
  • a is the acceleration (in meters per second squared).

Visualization of acceleration

t = 0 t = 1 t = 2 t = 3

The illustration shows how the position of an object changes with time when a constant force is applied. As time increases, the velocity increases, which shows acceleration.

Examples in daily life

  • Pushing a shopping cart: When the same force is applied to a loaded cart, due to its higher mass, it moves slower than an empty cart.
  • Dropping a ball: When a ball is dropped, it accelerates downwards due to the force of gravity.

Third law: The law of action and reaction

The third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law explains the nature of force interaction between two objects. When one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts a force of equal magnitude but in the opposite direction on the first object.

Force feedback

This diagram shows two spheres acting on each other. The orange line represents the force exerted by the left sphere, while the blue line represents the reaction force exerted by the right sphere, illustrating Newton's third law.

Examples in daily life

  • Walking: When you walk, your foot pushes back on the ground, and the ground pushes forward on your foot, moving you forward.
  • Rocket propulsion: Rockets move upward by pushing gas downward. The action of expelling the gas creates an equal and opposite reaction that pushes the rocket upward.

Combination of laws

Together, Newton's three laws explain how forces interact and cause objects to move. They provide the fundamental understanding used to solve complex problems in physics and engineering. Let's consider some scenarios involving these laws:

Car accident scenario

Imagine two cars colliding head-on. The first law applies because inertia will cause the contents of the cars to continue moving at the initial speed unless another force is applied to them. The second law applies when the force applied to the cars determines the change in their velocity or acceleration. The third law shows that car A and car B exert equal and opposite forces on each other during the collision.

Bouncing ball scenario

When a ball bounces off the ground, all three laws are at work. The first law appears when the ball continues moving after being dropped. The second law applies when the ground's force changes the direction of the ball's velocity. The third law appears when the action of the ball hitting the ground causes the ground to exert an equal and opposite upward force, causing the ball to bounce.

Conclusion

Newton's laws of motion provide a crucial framework for understanding the behavior of objects and the forces that act upon them. They form the cornerstone of classical mechanics, allowing us to predict how objects will move and interact in the world around us. From everyday activities to advanced technological applications, these laws remain integral to our understanding of physics and motion.


Grade 10 → 1.2.1


U
username
0%
completed in Grade 10

← Prev (1.2)
Dynamics
Next (1.2.2) →
Inertia and mass

Comments 



Newton's Laws of Motion

https://www.physicsflow.com/g10/1.2.1?pfal=en