Dynamics

Dynamics is the study of the causes of motion force. Newton described motion with three laws: 1. Constant velocity with zero net external forces:

2. Changing velocity requires net external forces; mass is a factor:

3. Interaction of objects: if object A applies a force on object B, object B applies a force with the same magnitude | | but opposite direction on object A. Connected Masses Example 1: Connected Masses Calculate a) the acceleration of the b) the tension in the cable. mass. (Hint: )

Solution a) Method 1: Consider the entire pulley as one system and draw a free body diagram showing all of the forces.

Method 2: Break up the pulley into two separate systems and find expressions for the common value linking them together, ie. the tension force.

b) The tension force is the same on either side of the pulley. Example 2: Contact Forces on a Set of Combined Masses

Calculate a) the acceleration, . b) the contact force which the mass acts on the mass, . c) the contact force which the mass acts on the mass, .

Solution a) The acceleration is right. b) The net force accelerating the

mass is the force of the

mass pushing against it.

Alternatively, consider the fraction of the total mass which the mass takes up. This will equal the fraction of the applied force it experiences. c) The net force accelerating the mass pushing against it. ( )

mass is the difference of the applied force and the force of the or ( ) .

Note how Newtons Third Law applies: Example 3: Forces at an Angle Calculate the acceleration of the following object: Solution Start by drawing a free-body diagram.

Example 4: Pulleys and Objects on Slopes

Given that the mass of the man is and he would like to descend with an acceleration of , calculate the mass of the box, , a) b) assuming if . .

Solution

a) We can represent the situation as a linear system:

b) Here are two ways to solve this problem:

Method 1: Use a process similar to a), but add the force of friction to same direction), and subtract this sum from to obtain .

(since they are acting in the

( )

[ Method 2: Use a system of equations.

Solve (1) and (2) simultaneously to find and :

( )

Example 5: Multiple Forces on an Object A box is pulled by two cables with forces and over a frictionless surface. The box moves to the right with an acceleration of due east. Calculate and .
1

Solution Method 1: Resolve the forces into their components and solve a system of equations. ( ) ( ( ( ) ) | | | |

) )

Method 2: Draw a vector diagram (below) and solve using the Sine Law. ( )

Example 6: A mass on a string is attached to the centre mirror of a car. As the car accelerates forward, the mass swings backwards with an angle . Given that the mass is and is , determine the acceleration, . Solution The mass experiences two forces: the tension force of the string pulling on it, and the force of gravity . Together, these two forces add up to give the resultant force, . Method 1: Use trigonometric ratios.

Method 2: Compare the horizontal and vertical components separately, then solve a system of equations. | |

( )

( )

Note: there is often more than one way to solve a problem. Read over the different methods above, and see which one you prefer.