Class 9 NCERT Notes for Science

09. Force and Laws of Motion Science Class 9 Chapter 9 Notes

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09. Force and Laws of Motion Science Class 9 Chapter 9 Notes


Introduction to Chapter


The chapter on gravitation discusses the universal force of attraction that acts between all objects with mass. It covers the principles of gravitational force, free fall, weight, mass, buoyancy, and the significance of Archimedes’ principle. Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping the dynamics of celestial and terrestrial bodies.: .,


Gravitation


Gravitation is the force of attraction between two objects with mass. Isaac Newton’s observation of an apple falling led him to theorize that the Earth’s pull not only applies to falling objects but also to celestial bodies like the Moon. This force acts towards the center of massive objects, binding celestial bodies in orbits and bringing objects back to Earth.

  • The apple’s fall exemplifies gravitational pull.
  • The Moon’s orbit around Earth is due to gravitational attraction.
  • Objects move towards Earth due to its massive gravitational force.
  • The connection between gravitational force and mass was pivotal in establishing classical mechanics.
  • Gravitational force is always attractive, not repulsive.
  • It affects all objects, regardless of their size.
  • It is a fundamental force necessary for life on Earth.
  • Examples :
    When a person jumps, they eventually fall back due to Earth’s gravitational pull. Similarly, when we throw a ball into the air, it will peak at a height and return to the ground when gravity pulls it down.,

Universal Law of Gravitation


The Universal Law of Gravitation states that every mass attracts every other mass in the universe with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

  • Gravity’s force is stronger when masses are larger.
  • Distance affects the gravitational force; greater distance results in weaker attraction.
  • The formula F = G(M*m)/d² quantifies gravitational force.
  • "G" is the universal gravitation constant, 6.673 × 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg².
  • Newton’s insight unified terrestrial and celestial mechanics.
  • The law applies universally, valid for both small and massive bodies.
  • It explains gravity’s role in planetary motion and orbits.
  • Examples :
    The gravitational pull of the Earth keeps the Moon in orbit. Similarly, the Sun’s gravity keeps the planets including Earth in predictable paths.,

Importance of the Universal Law of Gravitation


The Universal Law of Gravitation has significant implications for understanding various natural phenomena, including the motion of planets and tides.

  • It explains the orbital motion of planets around the Sun.
  • It dictates the moon’s motion around the Earth.
  • It describes the phenomena of tides caused by the moon’s gravitational influence.
  • It accounts for gravitational interactions in the solar system.
  • The law is foundational to astrophysics and orbital mechanics.
  • It plays a crucial role in satellite motion and space exploration.
  • It elucidates why objects fall towards Earth.
  • Examples :
    Tides in the ocean are caused due to the Moon’s gravitational pull, demonstrating the law’s impact on Earth’s water bodies.,

Free Fall


Free fall occurs when an object falls under the influence of gravity alone, without any air resistance.

  • All freely falling objects accelerate at the same rate due to gravity.
  • The acceleration due to gravity, g, is approximately 9.8 m/s² near Earth’s surface.
  • Objects experience uniform acceleration when dropped, regardless of their mass.
  • Real-world air resistance only affects free fall when moving through an atmosphere.
  • In a vacuum, two objects (regardless of mass) will hit the ground simultaneously if dropped from the same height.
  • Free fall plays a critical role in understanding how objects behave under gravitational influence.
  • It is integral to the study of motion in physics.
  • Examples :
    In a vacuum, a feather and a hammer dropped simultaneously will land at the same time, contrary to what is observed in normal atmospheric conditions.,

Mass


Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and does not change regardless of location.

  • It is an intrinsic property of the body.
  • The mass is constant and influences gravitational force.
  • Greater mass equates to greater inertia.
  • Mass is measured in kilograms (kg).
  • Unlike weight, mass does not change with location; it remains the same on Earth, the Moon, or in space.
  • It is fundamental in calculating gravitational effects and understanding motion.
  • Mass is often confused with weight; however, they represent different physical properties.
  • Examples :
    A 10 kg backpack has a mass of 10 kg whether it is on Earth, the Moon, or in space.,

Weight


Weight is the force exerted by gravity on an object and varies depending on the local gravitational field strength.

  • It is calculated using the formula W = m × g, where g represents acceleration due to gravity.
  • The units of weight are Newtons (N) since it is a force.
  • Weight changes based on location, while mass remains constant.
  • On the Moon, an object’s weight is about 1/6 of its weight on Earth.
  • Weight is experienced as the force of attraction due to the Earth’s gravity.
  • Understanding weight is essential in practical applications like weighing scales and balancing.
  • Examples :
    A person weighing 60 N on Earth would weigh approximately 10 N on the Moon.,

Thrust and Pressure


Thrust is the force exerted by an object in a specific direction, whereas pressure is the exertion of this force over a given area.

  • Thrust acts perpendicularly to surfaces and is calculated as force per unit area.
  • Pressure = Thrust/Area; its SI unit is Pascal (Pa).
  • Pressure increases when the same thrust is applied over a smaller area.
  • It explains why nails have pointed ends; they exert more pressure and penetrate surfaces easily.
  • Pressure plays a critical role in various applications, like hydraulic systems.
  • Understanding thrust and pressure helps explain forces involved in everyday activities.
  • Examples :
    A drawing pin can penetrate a board with minimal force due to its small surface area, causing high pressure at the tip.,

Pressure in Fluids


Fluids, including liquids and gases, exert pressure on objects submerged in them due to their weight.

  • This pressure is exerted evenly in all directions in a contained fluid.
  • As depth increases, pressure in fluids increases too.
  • Fluid pressure explains why objects experience buoyancy when submerged.
  • The effects of pressure in fluids are vital for understanding phenomena like swimming and water mechanics.
  • Pressure measurements in fluids are crucial for engineering and various industries.
  • Fluid dynamics studies how fluids behave when subjected to different forces.
  • Examples :
    When you dive underwater, the pressure increases with depth, which can lead to ear discomfort without equalization.,

Buoyancy


Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid on a submerged object, counteracting the object’s weight.

  • It is described by Archimedes’ principle: an object submerged in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.
  • Buoyancy explains why some objects float while others sink; it relates to density.
  • Objects with a density lesser than that of the fluid float, while denser objects sink.
  • This principle is essential in designing ships, submarines, and understanding aquatic movements.
  • It relates to hydrostatics and is crucial for fluid mechanics.
  • Examples :
    A ship made of steel floats because its overall density (ship + air) is less than that of water.,

Archimedes’ Principle


Archimedes’ principle states that a body immersed in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by it.

  • This principle describes the conditions under which an object will sink or float.
  • It is vital in understanding applications in fluid dynamics and hydrodynamics.
  • For practical applications, it is used in designing boats and measuring volumes of solids.
  • The principle supports many inventions and devices, including hydrometers and various buoyant devices.
  • Archimedes’ research laid the foundation for modern physics and engineering.
  • His discoveries continue to influence various fields, from design to research.
  • Examples :
    A fully submerged balloon will push water equivalent to its volume upwards, showcasing buoyancy in action.,

Conclusion


The chapter on gravitation and related concepts emphasizes the significance of the gravitational force acting on objects, the distinction between weight and mass, and critical principles such as buoyancy and Archimedes’ principle. Understanding these concepts is essential for comprehending the mechanics that govern both earthly and celestial movements.: .

Keywords and Definitions:

  • Gravitation: The force of attraction between two masses.
  • Universal Law of Gravitation: A principle stating that every mass attracts every other mass in the universe based on their masses and the distance between them.
  • Free Fall: The condition of falling under the sole influence of gravity.
  • Mass: The quantity of matter in an object, which remains constant regardless of location.
  • Weight: The force of gravity acting on an object, calculated as mass times the acceleration due to gravity (W = mg).
  • Buoyancy: The upward force experienced by an object submerged in a fluid, equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.
  • Thrust: A force that acts on a body in a specific direction.
  • Pressure: The amount of force acting per unit area.
  • Archimedes’ Principle: A statement regarding buoyancy that posits that a body submerged in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.

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