Complete Solutions and Summary of Exploring Forces – NCERT Class 8 Science, Chapter 5 – Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 5 ‘Exploring Forces’ with all question answers, extra questions, and solutions from NCERT Class 8 Science.

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Exploring Forces - Complete Study Guide

Chapter Overview

This chapter explores the fundamental concept of forces in our daily life — the push and pull that make things move or change. It discusses different types of forces, including contact forces like muscular force and friction, and non-contact forces such as magnetic, electrostatic, and gravitational forces. The chapter explains how forces affect motion and shape of objects, introduces the concept of weight as a force due to gravity, and touches upon buoyancy and Archimedes' principle. Several activities and experiments help to understand these forces practically.

Understanding Force

A force is a push or a pull that can cause an object to move, change speed, change direction, or change shape.

Contact & Non-contact Forces

Contact forces need physical touch (muscular force, friction), whereas non-contact forces act at a distance (magnetic, electrostatic, gravitational).

Friction

Friction opposes motion and depends on surface texture; it can act in solids, liquids, and gases.

Gravitational Force

Gravity pulls objects toward Earth, causing weight and enabling phenomena like falling and projectile motion.

Weight & Measurement

Weight is the gravitational force on an object, measured in newtons using a spring balance.

Buoyancy & Archimedes' Principle

Objects immersed in liquids experience an upthrust equal to the weight of displaced fluid; this explains floating and sinking.

Detailed Chapter Summary

5.1 What is Force?

Force is a push or pull acting on an object resulting from its interaction with another object. Forces can start movement, stop movement, change direction, or alter the shape of objects.

5.2 Effects of Force

A force can make a stationary object move, change speed or direction of a moving object, and cause deformation. Everyday examples include pushing a bicycle, hitting a ball, or squeezing an inflated balloon.

5.3 Interaction of Forces

Force requires interaction between two objects; for instance, to exert muscular force on a box or experience friction between surfaces.

5.4 Types of Forces

Contact Forces

These include muscular force and friction, which require physical contact between objects. Muscular force comes from contraction of muscles in humans and animals. Friction opposes motion and depends on surface roughness.

Friction

Frictional force acts opposite to the motion of objects, can cause slowing or stopping, and is influenced by the nature of surfaces. It also exists in liquids and gases, termed as fluid friction.

Non-contact Forces

These forces act at a distance. Magnetic force occurs between magnets or magnetic materials. Electrostatic force arises from charged objects attracting or repelling one another. Gravitational force acts between masses causing attraction, with Earth pulling objects downwards.

5.5 Weight and Its Measurement

Weight is the force due to gravity pulling objects towards Earth and is measured in newtons. It varies at different locations depending on gravity. Weight can be measured using a spring balance, and differs from mass, which remains constant.

5.6 Buoyancy and Floating

Objects immersed in fluids experience an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid, explained by Archimedes' Principle. If buoyant force equals gravitational force, an object floats; if less, it sinks. Examples include boats floating and rocks sinking.

Questions & Answers

Short Questions

Q1. What is a force?

A force is a push or a pull acting on an object, which can change its state of motion or shape.

Q2. Name two types of forces.

Contact forces and non-contact forces.

Q3. What is muscular force?

Muscular force is the force produced by contraction of muscles in living beings.

Q4. What does friction do?

Friction opposes the motion of objects moving over each other.

Q5. What kind of force is magnetic force?

Magnetic force is a non-contact force.

Q6. What is electrostatic force?

It is the force between charged objects, which can attract or repel.

Q7. Why do objects fall to the ground?

Because of gravitational force pulling them toward the Earth.

Q8. What is the SI unit of force?

Newton (N).

Q9. What is weight?

Weight is the force with which the Earth pulls an object downwards.

Q10. What instrument measures weight?

Spring balance.

Q11. Define buoyancy.

Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an object immersed in it.

Q12. Who discovered the principle of buoyancy?

Archimedes.

Q13. What causes friction?

The roughness or irregularities of surfaces in contact.

Q14. Give an example of a magnetic force effect.

Two magnets repel when their like poles face each other.

Q15. What is static electricity?

Static electricity is the accumulation of electric charges on surfaces that can cause attraction or repulsion without contact.

Medium Questions

Q1. Explain how a force can change the motion of an object.

A force can start an object moving from rest, increase or decrease its speed, or change its direction of motion, depending on the nature and direction of the force applied.

Q2. Describe the differences between contact and non-contact forces with examples.

Contact forces require physical interaction, like muscular force and friction; non-contact forces act at a distance, such as magnetic force, electrostatic force, and gravitational force.

Q3. Discuss the role of friction in daily life.

Friction opposes motion, helping to stop vehicles by brakes, allowing walking without slipping, but also causes wear and slows down machines. It’s essential for many practical activities.

Q4. Explain why magnetic forces can act without direct contact.

Magnetic forces are due to magnetic fields that extend around magnets, allowing attraction or repulsion without contact as fields interact.

Q5. How do electrostatic forces cause attraction and repulsion?

Charged objects with opposite charges attract each other, while like charges repel, due to their electric fields affecting each other at a distance.

Q6. What is the relationship between mass and weight?

Mass is the amount of matter in an object and remains constant; weight is the gravitational force acting on that mass and can vary depending on location.

Q7. How does a spring balance measure weight?

A spring balance measures weight by the extension of a spring when an object is suspended, calibrated to show force in newtons.

Q8. Discuss the concept of buoyancy and give examples.

Buoyancy is the upward force from a fluid opposing an object’s weight; for example, a boat floats because buoyant force balances its weight while a rock sinks when weight exceeds buoyancy.

Q9. What determines whether an object will float or sink in a liquid?

If the object’s weight is less than or equal to the weight of the liquid displaced, it floats; if it is more, the object sinks.

Q10. Describe some everyday examples of forces causing shape change.

Forces like squeezing a balloon change its shape; stretching rubber bands or pressing soft objects deform them.

Q11. How does gravitational force influence projectile motion?

Gravity pulls objects downwards causing upward thrown objects to slow, stop, and reverse direction, creating curved paths.

Q12. Why do some smooth surfaces produce less friction?

Smooth surfaces have fewer irregularities to interlock, reducing the frictional force between them.

Q13. Explain the principle behind Archimedes' discovery regarding floating objects.

Archimedes found that the upthrust on an object immersed in fluid equals the weight of the fluid displaced by it, explaining why some objects float.

Q14. What happens to an object thrown vertically upward, considering forces?

The object slows down due to gravity, stops momentarily, then accelerates downward back to the Earth.

Q15. How do animals use muscular forces?

Muscular forces enable movement, carrying loads, feeding, and various bodily functions necessary for survival.

Long Questions

Q1. Explain the different effects a force can have on an object with suitable examples.

A force can cause an object to move from rest, as when pushing a stationary box; change speed, like a ball slowing due to friction; change direction, such as steering a bicycle; and cause deformation, like squeezing a balloon. Forces can act individually or combined, altering movement and shape depending on their magnitude and direction.

Q2. Describe the types of forces with detailed examples from daily life.

Contact forces include muscular force used in lifting, pushing, pulling; friction between shoe soles and ground preventing slipping; and tension in ropes supporting objects. Non-contact forces include magnetic force causing compass needles to move, electrostatic attraction between charged balloons and paper, and gravitational force causing objects to fall and planets to orbit.

Q3. Discuss the importance of friction and how it affects motion.

Friction opposes motion, essential for activities like walking and braking but can also cause wear in machine parts. It converts kinetic energy into heat, sometimes undesirable. Its magnitude depends on surface roughness and material types, and its reduction is important for efficiency in vehicles and machinery.

Q4. Explain the difference between mass and weight and how weight varies on different planets.

Mass is the amount of matter in an object and is constant everywhere. Weight is the gravitational force acting on the mass and varies with gravity strength. For example, a 1 kg object weighs about 10 N on Earth, 1.6 N on the Moon, and 25.4 N on Jupiter, depending on gravitational acceleration.

Q5. Describe Archimedes' principle and its applications in real life.

Archimedes’ principle states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of fluid displaced. This principle explains why ships float despite heavy weight, design of submarines, and how balloons rise in air.

Q6. How can we experimentally determine the weight of an object?

By hanging the object on a spring balance and reading the extension in newtons, we measure the weight. Multiple objects of known mass can be compared to calibrate and verify measurements.

Q7. Elaborate on the role of muscular force and friction in human activities.

Muscular force powers body movements, spending energy to push, pull, lift. Friction aids walking by preventing slipping, lets vehicles stop via brakes, yet causes resistance working against efficiency, requiring lubrication in machines.

Q8. Explain how magnetic and electrostatic forces are similar and different.

Both are non-contact forces causing attraction and repulsion. Magnetic force arises from magnets and depends on poles; electrostatic from charged objects. Electrostatic forces involve electric charges, static or dynamic; magnetic forces involve magnetic fields and can influence moving charges.

Q9. What is the effect of gravitational force on projectile motion?

Gravity pulls projectiles down, slowing upward motion, stopping at peak height, and accelerating downwards, producing curved trajectories like thrown balls or arrows.

Q10. Describe how friction varies with surface types and its importance to design.

Rough surfaces produce more friction; smooth ones less. Designers engineer surfaces to increase friction where needed (tires) or reduce for efficiency (aircraft wings). Understanding friction helps improve safety, energy consumption, and mechanical durability.

Q11. How does buoyant force affect the apparent weight of objects in fluids?

Buoyant force acts upward, reducing the apparent weight of objects submerged. This explains why objects feel lighter in water and can sometimes float if the force balances weight.

Q12. Discuss the practical applications of static electricity in everyday life.

Static electricity causes sparks, attracts dust, used in photocopiers, inkjet printers, and electrostatic precipitators to clean air. However, it can also cause shocks or damage electronic circuits.

Q13. What are the consequences of ignoring friction in machines?

Ignoring friction leads to overheating, wear and tear, loss of energy, and mechanical failure. Controlling friction with lubricants or surface treatment is essential for machine longevity and performance.

Q14. Explain the gravitational force and its role in the solar system.

Gravity attracts all masses, keeping planets in orbit around the Sun, moons around planets, and governs motion of objects on Earth, essential for life.

Q15. How do different types of forces contribute to mobility in living beings?

Muscular forces generate movement and strength, friction provides grip and balance, while non-contact forces like magnetic aren’t involved. Together they enable complex activities like running, climbing, flying.

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Complete Solutions and Summary of Exploring Forces – NCERT Class 8 Science, Chapter 5 – Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 5 ‘Exploring Forces’ with all question answers, extra questions, and solutions from NCERT Class 8 Science.

Exploring Forces

Chapter Overview

Understanding Force

Contact & Non-contact Forces

Friction

Gravitational Force

Weight & Measurement

Buoyancy & Archimedes' Principle

Detailed Chapter Summary

5.1 What is Force?

5.2 Effects of Force

5.3 Interaction of Forces

5.4 Types of Forces

Contact Forces

Friction

Non-contact Forces

5.5 Weight and Its Measurement

5.6 Buoyancy and Floating

Key Concepts

Force

Muscular Force

Friction

Magnetic Force

Electrostatic Force

Gravitational Force

Weight

Buoyancy

Archimedes' Principle

Questions & Answers

Short Questions

Q1. What is a force?

Q2. Name two types of forces.

Q3. What is muscular force?

Q4. What does friction do?

Q5. What kind of force is magnetic force?

Q6. What is electrostatic force?

Q7. Why do objects fall to the ground?

Q8. What is the SI unit of force?

Q9. What is weight?

Q10. What instrument measures weight?

Q11. Define buoyancy.

Q12. Who discovered the principle of buoyancy?

Q13. What causes friction?

Q14. Give an example of a magnetic force effect.

Q15. What is static electricity?

Medium Questions

Q1. Explain how a force can change the motion of an object.

Q2. Describe the differences between contact and non-contact forces with examples.

Q3. Discuss the role of friction in daily life.

Q4. Explain why magnetic forces can act without direct contact.

Q5. How do electrostatic forces cause attraction and repulsion?

Q6. What is the relationship between mass and weight?

Q7. How does a spring balance measure weight?

Q8. Discuss the concept of buoyancy and give examples.

Q9. What determines whether an object will float or sink in a liquid?

Q10. Describe some everyday examples of forces causing shape change.

Q11. How does gravitational force influence projectile motion?

Q12. Why do some smooth surfaces produce less friction?

Q13. Explain the principle behind Archimedes' discovery regarding floating objects.

Q14. What happens to an object thrown vertically upward, considering forces?

Q15. How do animals use muscular forces?

Long Questions

Q1. Explain the different effects a force can have on an object with suitable examples.

Q2. Describe the types of forces with detailed examples from daily life.

Q3. Discuss the importance of friction and how it affects motion.

Q4. Explain the difference between mass and weight and how weight varies on different planets.

Q5. Describe Archimedes' principle and its applications in real life.

Q6. How can we experimentally determine the weight of an object?

Q7. Elaborate on the role of muscular force and friction in human activities.

Q8. Explain how magnetic and electrostatic forces are similar and different.

Q9. What is the effect of gravitational force on projectile motion?

Q10. Describe how friction varies with surface types and its importance to design.

Q11. How does buoyant force affect the apparent weight of objects in fluids?

Q12. Discuss the practical applications of static electricity in everyday life.

Q13. What are the consequences of ignoring friction in machines?

Q14. Explain the gravitational force and its role in the solar system.

Q15. How do different types of forces contribute to mobility in living beings?

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