Interaction · representation · net effect

Forces & Dynamics

Explain changes in motion by identifying interactions, representing them as force vectors, combining those vectors, and connecting the net force to acceleration.

Unit throughline

A force is not something an object stores. It is an interaction happening between systems.

Dynamics becomes much more intuitive when the interaction comes first. Identify what is interacting, name the force model, isolate the system, combine its vectors, and only then ask how the motion responds.

interactionforcediagramnet forceacceleration
Interaction modelsystem boundary
chosen system
Object B
push from A
pull from C
support
gravity
Each arrow represents one external interaction acting on the chosen system.
Learning path

Build the model from interaction to motion.

Live lessons open normally. Planned stations preserve the conceptual route without pretending unfinished pages are ready.

Forces belong to interactions

If you cannot name what other object or field is interacting with the system, the force description is incomplete.

Vectors belong to one chosen system

A free-body diagram includes forces acting on the selected system, not every force everywhere in the scene.

Net force changes velocity

A nonzero net force means acceleration. It does not mean the object must already be moving in the force direction.