From apple-related anecdotes to mind-boggling applications, explore the less-known facts about the tangible realms of physics, Sir Isaac Newton stands as an iconic figure. Born on 1643 in England, Newton stood curious about the universe. He made many discoveries and inventions in physics, astronomy, calculus and more. He is most famous for his three laws of motion, which explain how forces work to move things.
Let's uncover the secrets behind his laws, exploring what we can do with physics and the physical world.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘄: 𝗜𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮
Picture this: you're relaxing at the park on a sunny day when you spot a Frisbee flying through the air. Have you ever wondered why it continues moving into a straight line? Well, this instance is a perfect example of Newton's first law of motion.
This fundamental principle states that an object that is not moving will stay still, and a moving object will continue unless a different force acts into it. The greater the mass of an object, the greater it has inertia. This is why it is more hard to push a heavy object than a lighter object [1].
Engineers and Architects show the principle of inertia by designing buildings and constructing structures that can withstand outside forces such as earthquakes or vibrations. By knowing the quantity of mass and inertia, they can avoid potential damages.
In space exploration, the principle of inertia plays a crucial role. Spacecraft rely on this principle to maintain their velocity and trajectory in the absence of significant outside forces. It allows spacecraft to continue moving in a straight line unless acted upon by gravity. It can be applied to the course, Aerospace Engineering.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘄: 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
As we move forward, we encounter Newton's second law of motion. This law talks about the force acting on an object, its mass, and the acceleration caused. It states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the total force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. The greater the force applied to an object, the greater its acceleration, while a heavier object will experience less acceleration for the same force [2].
Traffic flow can be a great instance in acceleration. Isaac Newton's second law can be applied here to optimize traffic flows. By knowing the mass and acceleration of transportation, Engineers can construct traffic patterns for signal timings to improve safety and lessen the traffic.
Another instance is that acceleration can be applied to athletic performances. Between the mass, force, and acceleration, athletes can identify the force to get higher acceleration in jumping, running, or throwing.
𝗙=𝗺𝗮
The equation above shows how to calculate force, which is the push or pull on an object. In the equation, F stands for force, m stands for mass, and stands for acceleration [2]. It has a unit of newtons (N), which is named after the scientist who discovered it, Isaac Newton. It also involves mass and acceleration. Mass is how much matter an object has, and it is measured in kilograms (kg). Acceleration is how fast an object’s speed or direction changes, and it is measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘄: 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction" [3].
Two (2) objects are interacting with each other, and the size of forces between the objects are equal, but the direction of these two objects are opposite to each other. Forces will always be a pair of equal and opposite action reactions.
Have you heard about the rocket propulsion? The expulsion of gases backward generates an equal and opposite reaction force that propels the rocket forward. This is the basis for space exploration and satellite launches [4].
Martial arts practitioners portray Newton's Third Law to generate powerful strikes. By exerting force in one direction, they receive an equal and opposite reaction force, increasing the efficiency and impact of their strikes.
An example of the Law of Interaction is when a player is dribbling the ball. The ball is pushed to hit the ground (action), and the reaction will be the floor will push the ball back to the hands of the player.
The 3 laws of motion can explain aspects of our physical world, and it is vital for us to have knowledge in his laws so that we may know how things work, move, and react to forces. This helps us by thinking out of the box and coming up with innovative problems and solutions. Just by walking on the street, driving while raining, or even throwing things through the air. Everywhere we go, there is physics.
References:
[1] Khan Academy. (n.d). "What is Newton's First Law?". https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/forces-newtons-laws/newtons-laws-of-motion/a/what-is-newtons-first-law
[2] Britannica. (n.d). "Newton’s second law: F = ma". https://www.britannica.com/science/Newtons-laws-of-motion/Newtons-second-law-F-ma
[3] The Physics Classroom. (n.d). Newton's Third Law. https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-4/Newton-s-Third-Law
[4] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (n.d). "Rocket Propulsion". https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/rocket.html
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