Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define force and motion.
• Identify different types of forces.
• Calculate the net force on an object.
• Explain the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
• Apply this knowledge to real-life situations.

Lesson summary

Force and motion explain why objects start moving, stop, speed up, slow down, or change direction. In Ghana, learners meet these ideas daily: pushing a wheelbarrow at the market, riding a bicycle, kicking a football, pulling a bucket from a well, or a trotro braking at a junction. Understanding force and motion helps learners to be safer on the road, use tools correctly, and appreciate how machines and sports work. > Indicator focus (B7.4.4.2.1): Learners demonstrate understanding of force and motion by identifying forces, describing their effects on motion, and applying basic relationships between force, mass and acceleration in simple situations.

Lesson notes

2.1 What is Force? A force is a push or pull that can change the motion of an object or change its shape. Unit of force: newton (N) Forces are vector quantities: they have magnitude (size) and direction.

Examples in Ghanaian context Pushing a stalled car: push force. Pulling a bucket from a well: pull force. Kicking a football: force changes the ball’s speed and direction.

2.2 Effects of Force A force can: Start motion: pushing a stationary desk makes it move. Stop motion: catching a moving ball stops it. Increase speed (accelerate): pedalling harder makes a bicycle speed up. Decrease speed (decelerate): brakes on a bicycle slow it down. Change direction: turning a bicycle handle changes direction. Change shape: squeezing a sponge changes its shape.

2.3 Types of Forces (Common at JHS Level) (a) Weight (Gravitational Force) The force pulling objects towards the Earth. Acts downward. Measured in newtons (N).