why does simple push and pull is called force???

and motion and the effects of these physical laws in our world.

What is Force?

Force is just a fancy word for pushing or pulling. If I push on something or pull on it, then I am applying a force to it. Force makes things move or, more accurately, makes things change their motion. Two natural forces that we have experienced are the force of gravityand magnetic forces magnetic forces.

These two forces act at a distance and do not require direct contact between the objects to function. Gravity produces a force that pulls objects towards each other, like a person towards the ground. It is the force that keeps the Earth revolving around the sun and it's what pulls you toward the ground when you trip. See Science Trek's site onGravity.

Magnetism produces a force that can either pull opposite ends of two magnets together or push the matching ends apart. A magnet also attractsobjects made of metal.

Types Of Contact Forces

There are 6 kinds of forces which act on objects when they come into contact with one another. Remember, a force is either a push or pull. The 6 are:

• normal force
• applied force
• frictional force
• tension force
• spring force
• resisting force

Let's investigate how these forces can be seen in our lives.

Normal Force

A book resting on a table has the force of gravity pulling it toward the Earth. But the book is not moving or accelerating, so there must be opposing forces acting on the book. This force is caused by the table and is known as the normal force. You can “see” the normal force in some situations. If you place a thin piece of wood or plastic (a ruler works) so that it is supported by both ends (by books perhaps) and place a small heavy object in the center, the piece of wood will bend. Of course it wants to straighten out so it exerts an upward force on the object. This upward force is the normal force. You can feel the force yourself if you push down in the center of the piece of wood. The harder you push, the more the wood bends and the harder it pushes back.

  Applied Force  

Applied force refers to a force that is applied to an object such as when a person moves a piece of furniture across the room or pushes a button on the remote control. A force is applied.

  Frictional Force

Frictional force is the force caused by two surfaces that come into contact with each other. Friction can be helpful as in the friction that allows a person to walk across the ground without sliding or it can be destructive such as the friction of moving parts in a motor that rub together over long periods of time.

  Tension Force

 

Tension force is the force applied to a cable or wire that is anchored on opposite ends to opposing walls or other objects. This causes a force that pulls equally in both directions.

  Spring Force

The spring force is the force created by a compressed or stretched spring. Depending upon how the spring is attached, it can pull or push in order to create a force.

  Resisting Forces

Resisting force, like air resistance or friction, change motion. Whether the forces actually stop or slow something depends upon your point of view. Air friction makes a leaf travel along in the wind. When you pick up a pencil, it's friction with your fingers that gets the pencil in motion. In each case, the friction makes the two things (like the air and the leaf) move together.

What is Inertia?

Inertia is actually not a force at all, but rather a property that all things have due to the fact that they have mass. The more mass something has the more inertia it has. You can think of inertia as a property that makes it hard to push something around.

What is Friction?

Friction is a force that happens when objects rub against one another. Say you were pushing a toy train across the floor. It doesn't take much effort or force, because the toy is light. Now say you try to push a real train. You probably can't do it because the force of friction between the train and the ground is more intense. The heavier the object, the stronger the force of friction.

Velocity

Velocity is the speed of an object in one direction. If an object turns a corner, it changes its velocity because it is no longer moving in its original direction.

Newton's Laws of Motion

Some consider Sir Isaac Newton to be the greatest English mathematician of his time and perhaps one of the greatest scientists the world has known. According to a story, Newton saw an apple fall to the ground and he figured out that the same force which caused the apple to fall also governed the motion of the Moon and the planets. In 1687 Newton published his three laws of motion in the “Principia Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis.” His three laws explained how the concepts of force and motion work.

 

Newton's First Law 

Newton's first law of motion states: A body in motion tends to remain in motion, a body at rest tends to remain at rest unless acted on by an outside force.

So, if an object is moving – its inertia (mass) will tend to keep it in motion, and if something is at rest, its inertia will tend to keep it at rest.

From the Goddard Space Center: learn more aboutNewton's First Law. Check out these additional ideas.

 

Newton's Second Law

Newton's second law of motion states that a force, acting on an object, will change its velocity by changing either its speed or its direction or both.

 

If your basketball goes rolling into the street and is hit by a bike, either the ball will change direction or its speed or both. It will also be true for the bike.

From the Goddard Space Center: learn more aboutNewton's Second Law.Here are some additional ideas.

 

Newton's Third Law

The third law is probably the best known of Newton's laws. It states that for every force and action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

This is what causes a cannon to recoil when it fires. The 'kick' from the firing of the ammunition is what makes the cannon jump backwards.

From the Goddard Space Center: learn more aboutNewton's Third Law. Here are some additional ideas.