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As we have studied thus far in the semester, physics has proven to be intertwined in our everyday routines and is all around us. It is used in relation to the electricity we have in our homes and workplaces. Physics is used in our movements, such as when we get out of bed, sit, or stand up. It is used when we get in our car to go to drive to the grocery store, or ride a bike. The concepts of physics are weaved into every aspect of our daily lives.
Physics, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions… including the subjects of mechanics, heat, light, electricity, sounds, and the atomic nucleus” (Webster, 1963).
Physics incorporates many aspects of life and helps us to understand how things can happen and why they do.
Motion is a part of physics that involves the action of an object moving or being moved. Motion is a concept that is within classical mechanics.
Classical mechanics incorporates motion from tiny particles in the macroscopic level to larger scale movements such as aircraft and the movement of planets (Lucas, 2017).
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The idea of classical mechanics was formulated by Isaac Newton in the 1600’s. In 1687, Newton created a document that was titled Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, in which Newton wrote the fundamental laws of motion as he studied them (Wilbert, 2017). These laws were specifically written pertaining to the movement of the planets, but are also the root of many movements to the forces on earth.
He created three different laws that are relative today in our everyday life.
The First Law of Motion that was thought up by Newton states that “an object moves with a velocity that is constant in magnitude and direction unless a non-zero net force acts on it” (Serway & Vuille, 2018).
This law means that an object cannot move on its own. An object only moves because some other force is acting upon it. An object that has the “tendency to resist changes in their state of motion” is known as inertia (“Newton’s Laws”, 2018). The first law of motion is also known as the law of inertia. This law contradicted many other scientists because it is believed by many that a continual force is not necessary for an object to continue moving. For example, if a cup is placed on a flat surface, like a desk, the cup will not move. There is no external force acting upon the cup for it to move. If a cup was placed on a surface such as a podium, the cup would slide down the podium due to the force of gravity on the cup, causing friction between the cup and the desk. Another example is if an individual were to kick a soccer ball. After the kick, the soccer ball would continue to move in the direction it was kicked, until someone or something placed force on it again to move it in a different direction. Otherwise, once the ball is kicked, it moves in a constant direction.
The Second Law of Motion by Newton states that “the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.” (Serway & Vuille, 2018 ). The second law incorporates what happens to an object when a force outside the object acts upon it. Directly proportional to the first law, the forces acting in the second law are not balanced. An object with a greater amount of mass will need a greater amount of force to result in acceleration (Lucas, 2017).The movement depends on both the mass of the object that is being moved, and the amount of force (acceleration) being placed on the object.
The formula for the second law is F = ma. The “f” represents force, the “m” is mass, and the “a” is acceleration” (Serway & Vuille, 2018 ). All three quantities must be included in order to understand the effects of force on an object. For example, if a cup was placed on a surface such as a podium, the cup would begin to slide down the podium, due to gravity. Gravity is the external force mentioned in the second law that is acting on the object. Another real world example of Newton’s second law is pushing a grocery cart. When the cart is empty, it is much easier to push and requires significantly less force. When the cart is full of heavy groceries, such as milk, orange juice, canned goods, meat, and household items, the cart’s mass is much greater, therefore, a greater force is required to push the cart. It is much easier to accelerate more quickly with a cart that is empty than a cart that is full of grocery items.
An example problem for solving for the net force exerted upon a shopping cart would include the mass of the shopping cart, which would be measured in kilograms. The acceleration of the person pushing the cart is measured in meters per second squared. Force is measured in newtons. If the shopping cart was pushed 10 meters per second (acceleration) consistently and the cart weighs 40 kilograms, the total force exerted on the cart would be 400 newtons. The equation would look as follows:
F = m * a
F = 40 kg * 10 m/s^2 = 400 N
This calculation takes into consideration the weight of the cart and the speed at which the cart is moving. When observing the speed and the weight, the equation F = m * a can be used to find the force that must be exerted to keep the shopping cart moving at a constant speed. This equation can be converted in order to find the mass of an object or the acceleration of an object. The complexity of the equation is based upon what can be observed from the movement or changes in force or acceleration during the movement.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states “If object 1 and object 2 interact, the force F12 exerted by object 1 on object 2 is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force F21 exerted by object 2 on object 1” (Serway & Vuille, 2018 ). The third law incorporates what happens to object one when object two puts force upon object 1. When two objects interact, they are both exerting forces against each other. The forces of both object one and two are equal to each other. The direction of the forces are opposite of each other (“Newton’s Laws”, 2018). This shows that when two objects are in an action together, there is equal force against each object, but the direction of the forces are opposite. According to Hewitt, “Newton’s third law is more precisely stated as: Whenever one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first. The key word in this definition is whenever, as in ‘at the same time’” (2017). The action-reaction of a motion occurs at the same time, not at different times. When pushing your hand up against a wall, you and the wall are both exerting force, although the wall is not physically pushing as you are (Hewitt, 2017).
When considering the third law in relation to the cup, object one is the table and object two is the cup. There is a downward force exerted by the cup on the table, and upward force exerted by the table keeping the cup upright and balanced. Another example of the third law jumping off of a paddleboard. Object one is your body and object two is the paddleboard. When you are standing up on the paddleboard, your body is exerting a force on the board as you stand, and the paddleboard is exerting a reaction force, keeping you standing. As you jump off of the paddleboard into the water, the force you exert from your jump pushes the board in the opposite direction that you jump.
There are countless real world examples of how Newton’s three laws of motion are evidential in today’s world. Anything that has mass can be a variable in a motion related movement. Movement happens all around us and we often do not consider how movement occurs and the effects of movement. The three laws incorporate more than one concept within physics. The laws incorporate motion, force, acceleration, velocity, and gravity. There is motion consistently on earth and our body’s are always exerting some form of force and motion everyday. Newton understood the different aspects of motion that are evident in motion and developed the laws that are applicable in our world today.
Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion in Everyday life. (2021, Dec 03). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/understanding-newton-s-laws-of-motion-in-everyday-life-essay
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