Centripetal Force
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Force acting towards the centre of circular path.
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Example: Moon revolves around Earth due to Earth’s centripetal force.
Newton’s Observations
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Apple falls because Earth attracts it.
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Apple also attracts Earth (Newton’s 3rd law).
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Conclusion: All objects attract each other → Gravitational Force.
Universal Law of Gravitation
Formula:
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Explains: planetary motion, tides, etc.
Acceleration Due to Gravity (g)
Formula:
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Greater at poles, less at equator.
Free Fall
Equations of motion under gravity (replace a with g):
Cases:
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Object dropped from rest (u=0):
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Object thrown downwards (u ≠ 0):
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Object thrown upwards (g negative):
Mass vs Weight
Mass (m) | Weight (W = mg) |
---|---|
Quantity of matter | Force due to gravity |
Scalar | Vector |
Constant everywhere | Changes with location (g) |
SI unit: kg | SI unit: N |
Never zero | Zero where no gravity (e.g., space) |
Weight on Moon
Thrust and Pressure
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Thrust: Force acting perpendicular to a surface.
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Pressure: Force per unit area.
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SI unit: Pascal (Pa)
💡 Nails are sharp → small area → large pressure.
Buoyancy
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Liquids exert upward force = Buoyant Force.
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Float if Buoyant Force > Weight, sink if opposite.
Archimedes’ Principle
Statement:
When a body is immersed in a fluid, it experiences an upward force = weight of fluid displaced.
Applications:
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Ships & submarines
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Lactometer, Hydrometer
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Relative density measurement
Density & Relative Density
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Density:
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Relative Density (RD):
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No unit (ratio).
💡 RD < 1 → Object floats. RD > 1 → Object sinks.