Physics
Study of matter, energy, and their interactions in the universe.
Basic Concepts
Forces and Motion
What Are Forces?
A force is a push or pull. Forces make things move, stop, or change direction. The study of how and why objects move is called mechanics.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
- First Law (Inertia): Things want to keep doing what they’re doing—moving objects keep moving, and stopped objects stay stopped—unless a force acts on them.
- Second Law: The bigger the force, the more something accelerates: \( F = ma \) (Force = mass × acceleration).
- Third Law: For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction.
Everyday Forces
- Gravity: Pulls you toward Earth.
- Friction: Slows things down when they rub together.
- Magnetism: Pulls or pushes objects without touching them.
Why Forces Matter
Forces explain why we walk, cars drive, and planes fly!
Examples
A soccer ball moves when you kick it (force applied).
Friction between your shoes and the floor lets you walk without slipping.
In a Nutshell
Forces are pushes or pulls that affect motion, explained by Newton’s Laws.