A force is a push or a pull applied to a body or an object. Consider the workout you just participated in. What forces were present on your body as you practiced your running stride or your jump shot? Were the forces helpful or hurtful? Explain using the ideas of external forces, internal forces, tension, and compression.

Answer: One external force was the ground pushing into my foot as I ran. This is a compression force. Gravity is also an external force that is working to pull my body down toward the ground. Since I’m trying to move my body forward, gravity is probably hurting my performance. Since I lean slightly forward when I run, there is a small tension force in my lower back. There is also tension in my shoulders as my arms swing by my sides.

Explanation: EDMENTUM