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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION

Unit III: Laws of Motion (Periods 16)


Intuitive concept of force. Inertia, Newton’s first law of motion; momentum and Newton’s second law of motion; impulse;
Newton’s third law of motion. Law of conservation of linear momentum and its applications.

Equilibrium of concurrent forces. Static and kinetic friction, laws of friction, rolling friction.

Dynamics of uniform circular motion: Centripetal force, examples of circular motion


(vehicle on level circular road, vehicle on banked road).

Intuitive concept of force. Inertia,: Aristotle’s view that a force is necessary to keep a body in uniform motion is wrong. A
force is necessary in practice to counter the opposing force of friction.
Example 5.1 An astronaut accidentally gets separated out of his small spaceship accelerating in inter stellar space at a constant
rate of 100 m s-2. What is the acceleration of the astronaut the instant after he is outside the spaceship ? (Assume that there are
no nearby stars to exert gravitational force on him.)[ Since there are no nearby stars to exert gravitational force on him and the
small spaceship exerts negligible gravitational attraction on him, the net force acting on the astronaut, once he is out of the
spaceship, is zero. By the first law of motion the acceleration
of the astronaut is zero.]

Newton’s first law of motion; Galileo extrapolated simple observations on motion of bodies on inclined planes, and arrived at
the law of inertia. Newton’s first law of motion is the same law rephrased thus: “Everybody continues to be in its state of rest or
of uniform motion in a straight line, unless compelled by some external force to act otherwise”. In simple terms, the First Law is
“If external force on a body is zero, its acceleration is zero”. Momentum: Momentum (p ) of a body is the product of its
mass (m) and velocity (v) : p = m v

Newton’s second law of motion; Newton’s second law of motion : The rate of change of
momentum of a body is proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction in which
the force acts.

where F is the net external force on the body and a its acceleration. We set the constant

of proportionality k = 1 in S.I. Then


The SI unit of force is newton : 1 N = 1 kg m s-2.
(a) The second law is consistent with the First Law (F = 0 implies a = 0)
(b) It is a vector equation
(c) It is applicable to a particle, and also to a body or a system of particles, provided F is the total external force on the system
and a is the acceleration of the system as a whole.
(d) F at a point at a certain instant determines a at the same point at that instant. That is the Second Law is a local law; a at an
instant does not depend on the history of motion.
In the second law of motion F = m a, F stands for the net force due to all material agencies external to the body. a is the effect of
the force. ma should not be regarded as yet another force, besides F.
The different terms like ‘friction’, ‘normal reaction’ ‘tension’, ‘air resistance’, ‘viscous drag’, ‘thrust’, ‘buoyancy’ ‘weight’
‘centripetal force’ all stand for ‘force’ in different contexts. For clarity, every force and its equivalent terms encountered in
mechanics should be reduced to the phrase ‘force on A by B’.
For applying the second law of motion, there is no conceptual distinction between inanimate and animate objects. An animate
object such as a human also requires an external force to accelerate. For example, without the external force of friction, we
cannot walk on the ground.
1.Force is not always in the direction of motion. Depending on the situation, F may be along v, opposite to v, normal to v or may
make some other angle with v. In every case, it is parallel to acceleration.

2. If v = 0 at an instant, i.e. if a body is momentarily at rest, it does not mean that force or acceleration are necessarily zero at that
instant. For example, when a ball thrown upward reaches its maximum height, v = 0 but the force continues to be its weight mg
and the acceleration is not zero but g.

3. Force on a body at a given time is determined by the situation at the location of the body at that time. Force is not ‘carried’ by
the body from its earlier history of motion. The moment after a stone is released out of an accelerated train, there is no horizontal

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
force (or acceleration) on the stone, if the effects of the surrounding air are neglected. The stone then has only the vertical force
of gravity.

Impulse; Impulse is the product of force and time which equals change in momentum. The notion of impulse is useful when a
large force acts for a short time to produce a measurable change in momentum. Since the time of action of the force is very short,
one can assume that there is no appreciable change in the position of the body during the action of the impulsive force.

Example 5.2 A bullet of mass 0.04 kg moving with a speed of 90 m s-1 enters a heavy wooden block and is stopped after a
distance of 60 cm. What is the average resistive force exerted by the block on the bullet?[ 270 N]
1 2
Example 5.3 The motion of a particle of mass m is described by y = ut  gt . Find the force acting on the particle.[ F = ma =
2
mg]

Example 5.4 A batsman hits back a ball straight in the direction of the bowler without changing its initial speed of 12 m s–1. If
the mass of the ball is 0.15 kg, determine the impulse imparted to the ball. (Assume linear motion of the ball)[ Impulse = 3.6 N
s,]
5.1 Give the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on
(a) a drop of rain falling down with a constant speed,
(b) a cork of mass 10 g floating on water,
(c) a kite skillfully held stationary in the sky,
(d) a car moving with a constant velocity of 30 km/h on a rough road,
(e) a high-speed electron in space far from all material objects, and free of electric and magnetic fields.
[ 5.1 (a) to (d) No net force according to the First Law(e) No force, since it is far away from all material agencies producing
electromagnetic and gravitational forces.]

5.2 A pebble of mass 0.05 kg is thrown vertically upwards. Give the direction and magnitude of the net force on the pebble,
(a) during its upward motion,
(b) during its downward motion,
(c) at the highest point where it is momentarily at rest. Do your answers change if the pebble was thrown at an angle of 45° with
the horizontal direction?Ignore air resistance.[ 5.2 The only force in each case is the force of gravity, (neglecting effects of air)
equal to 0.5 N vertically downward. The answers do not change, even if the motion of the pebble is not along the vertical. The
pebble is not at rest at the highest point. It has a constant
horizontal component of velocity throughout its motion]

5.3 Give the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on a stone of mass 0.1 kg,
(a) just after it is dropped from the window of a stationary train,
(b) just after it is dropped from the window of a train running at a constant velocity of 36 km/h,
(c ) just after it is dropped from the window of a train accelerating with 1 m s-2,
(d) lying on the floor of a train which is accelerating with 1 m s-2, the stone being at rest relative to the train.
Neglect air resistance throughout.[ 5.3 (a) 1 N vertically downwards (b) same as in (a)(c) same as in (a); force at an instant
depends on the situation at that instant, not on history. (d) 0.1 N in the direction of motion of the train.]

5.5 A constant retarding force of 50 N is applied to a body of mass 20 kg moving initially with a speed of 15 m s-1. How long
does the body take to stop ?[ a = – 2.5 m s–2. Using v = u + at, 0 = 15 – 2.5 t i.e., t = 6.0 s]

5.6 A constant force acting on a body of mass 3.0 kg changes its speed from 2.0 m s-1 to 3.5 m s-1 in 25 s. The direction of the
motion of the body remains unchanged. What is the magnitude and direction of the force ?[ 5.6 a = 1.5/25 = 0.06 m s–2 ;F = 3 ×
0.06 = 0.18 N in the direction of motion.]

5.7 A body of mass 5 kg is acted upon by two perpendicular forces 8 N and 6 N. Give the magnitude and direction of the
acceleration of the body.[ 5.7 Resultant force = 10 N at an angle of tan–1 (3/4) = 37° with the direction of 8 N force. Acceleration
= 2 m s–2 in the direction of the resultant force.]

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
5.8 The driver of a three-wheeler moving with a speed of 36 km/h sees a child standing in the middle of the road and brings his
vehicle to rest in 4.0 s just in time to save the child. What is the average retarding force on the vehicle ? The mass of the three-
wheeler is 400 kg and the mass of the driver is 65 kg.[ 5.8 a = – 2.5 m s–2 , Retarding force = 465 × 2.5 = 1.2 × 103 N]

5.9 A rocket with a lift-off mass 20,000 kg is blasted upwards with an initial acceleration of 5.0 m s-2. Calculate the initial thrust
(force) of the blast.[ 5.9 F – 20,000 × 10 = 20000 × 5.0, i.e., F = 3.0 × 105 N]

5.10 A body of mass 0.40 kg moving initially with a constant speed of 10 m s-1 to the north is subject to a constant force of 8.0
N directed towards the south for 30 s. Take the instant the force is applied to be t = 0, the position of the body at that time to be x
= 0, and predict its position at t = –5 s, 25 s, 100 s.
[ 5.10 a = – 20 m s–2 0 ≤ t ≤ 30 s ; t = –5 s : x = u t = – 10 × 5 = –50 m; t = 25 s : x = u t + (½) a t2 = (10 × 25 – 10 × 625)m =
– 6 km ; t = 100 s : First consider motion up to 30 s;x1 = 10 × 30 – 10 × 900 = – 8700 m;At t = 30 s, v = 10 – 20 × 30 = –590 m
s-1;For motion from 30 s to 100 s : x2 = – 590 × 70 = – 41300 m; x = x1 + x2 = – 50 km]

5.11 A truck starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 2.0 m s-2. At t = 10 s, a stone is dropped by a person standing on the
top of the truck (6 m high from the ground). What are the (a) velocity, and (b) acceleration of the stone at t =11s ? (Neglect air
resistance.)[ 5.11 (a) Velocity of car ( at t = 10 s ) = 0 + 2 × 10 = 20 m s–1
By the First Law, the horizontal component of velocity is 20 m s–1 throughout.;Vertical component of velocity (at t = 11s) = 0 +
10 × 1 = 10 m s–1;Velocity of stone (at t = 11s) = 20 2  10 2  500 =22.4 m s–1 at an angle of tan–1 ( ½) with the
horizontal.(b)10 m s-2 vertically downwards.]

5.12 A bob of mass 0.1 kg hung from the ceiling of a room


by a string 2 m long is set into oscillation. The speed of the
bob at its mean position is 1 m s-1. What is the trajectory of
the bob if the string is cut when the bob is (a) at one of its
extreme positions, (b) at its mean position.[ 5.12 (a) At the
extreme position, the speed of the bob is zero. If the string is
cut, it will fall vertically downwards.(b) At the mean
position, the bob has a horizontal velocity. If the string is
cut, it will fall along a parabolic path.]
5.14 Figure shows the position-time graph of a particle of
mass 4 kg. What is the (a) force on the particle for t < 0, t >
4 s, 0 < t < 4 s? (b) impulse at t = 0 and t = 4 s ? (Consider
one-dimensional motion only).[5.14 (a) In all the three
intervals, acceleration and, therefore, force are zero.(b) 3 kg
m s–1 at t = 0 ; (c) –3 kg m s–1 at t = 4 s.]
**5.28 A stream of water flowing horizontally with a speed of 15 m s-1 gushes out of a tube of cross-sectional area 10-2 m2, and
hits a vertical wall nearby. What is the force exerted on the wall by the impact of water, assuming it does not rebound ?[ 5.28
Mass of water hitting the wall per second = 103 kg m–3 × 10–2 m2 × 15 m s–1 = 150 kg s –1;Force by the wall = momentum loss
of water per second = 150 kg s–1 × 15 m s-1 = 2.25 × 103 N]

Practice Problems on Newtons laws

1. A truck starts from rest and rolls down a hill with constant acceleration. It travels a distance of 400 m in 20 s.
Calculate the acceleration of the truck and force acting on it, if its mass is 7000kg. [Ans. 2 m/s2 ; 14000 N]
2. A scooterist moving with a speed of 36 km/h sees a child standing in the middle of the road.. He applies brakes
and brings the scooter to rest in 5 sec., just in time to save the child. Calculate average retarding force on the
vehicle, if mass of vehicle and the driver is 300 kg. [Ans. 600 N]
3. A force of 50 N is inclined to the vertical at an angle of 30º Find the acceleration it produces in a body of mass
2 kg which moves in the horizontal direction. [Ans.12.5 ms-2
4. A rocket with a lift off mass 20000 kg is blasted upwards with a net initial acceleration of 5ms -2. Calculate the
initial thrust of the blast.[Ans. 2.96 x l05 N]
5. The driver of a three wheeler moving with a speed of 36 km/h sees a child standing in the middle of the road and
brings his vehicle to rest in 4s just in time to save the child. What is the average retarding force on the vehicle ?
The mass of the three wheeler is 400 kg and the mass of the driver is 65 kg. [Ans. 1162.5 N]
6. While launching a rocket of mass 20000kg , a force of 5 x l05 N is applied for 20 s. What is the velocity attained at

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
the end of this time ? [Ans. 500 ms-1]
7. A wagon of mass 2000 kg is separated from a train travelling at 9 km/h, and comes to rest in 2 minutes. Find the
resistance between the wheels of the wagon and the track . [Ans. 41.7 N]
8. A 20 gram bullet moving at 300 m/s stops after penetrating 3 cm of bone. Calculate the average force exerted by
the bullet. [Ans. -3 x 104 N]
7
9. A ship of mass 3 x 10 kg and initially at rest, can .be pulled through a distance of 3 m by means of a force of 5 x
104 N. The water resistance is negligible. Find the speed attained by the ship. [Ans. 0.1 ms-1
10. A force produces an acceleration of 16 ms in a body of mass 0.5 kg, and an acceleration of 4.0 m/s2 in another
-2

body. If both are fastened together, then how much acceleration will be produced by this force ?[3.2 ms-2
11. A stream of water flowing horizontally with a speed of 15 m/s gushes out of a tube of cross sectional area 10 -2
m2, and hits at a vertical wall nearby. What is the force exerted by the impact of water, assuming that it does not
rebound ? [Ans. 2250 N]
12. In an X-ray machine, an electron is subjected to a force of 10-23 N. In how much time will the electron cover a
distance of 0.1 m. me10-30 kg. [Ans. 1.414 x 10-4 s]
13. A stone of mass 5 kg falls from the top of a cliff 50 m high and buries 1 m deep in sand. Find the average
resistance offered by the sand and the time it takes to penetrate.[Ans. 2450 N; 0.064s]
14. A man in a circus show, jumps from a height of 10 m and is caught by a net spread below him. The net sags
down 2 m due to impact. Calculate average force exerted by the net on the man to stop his fall. mass of man = 60
kg and g= 10 m/s2. [Ans.,-3000 N]

Practice Problems on Impulse:

37. Two billiard balls each of mass 50 g moving in opposite directions with a speed of 36 km/h collide and rebound
with the same velocity. What is the impulse imparted to each ball due to the other ? [Ans. 1 kg ms-1]
38. A ball of mass 100 gram falls from a height of 5 m and rebounds to a height of 1.25 m. Calculate the impulse and
average force between the ball and the ground, if the time during which they are in contact is 0.1 s. g = 10m/s2.
[Ans.l.5Ns;15N]
39. A cricket ball of mass 0.2 kg moves with a velocity of 20 ms-1 and is brought to rest by a player in 0.1 s. Find (a)
the impulse of the ball and (b) the average force applied by the player . [Ans. 4 Ns ; -40 N]
40. A cricket ball of mass 150 gram moving with a speed of 12 ms-l is hit by a bat so that the ball is turned back with
a velocity of 20 ms-l. Calculate the impulse received by the ball. [Ans. -4.8 kg ms-1]
41. A ball of mass 20 gram hits a wall at an angle of 45° with a velocity of 15 m/s. If the ball rebounds at 90° to the
direction of incidence, calculate the impulse received by the ball.[Ans. 0.3v'2 kg ms-1]
42. A rubber ball of mass 50 grams falls from a height of 100 cm and rebounds to a height of 50 cm. Find the
impulse and average force between the ball and the ground,if the time of contact is 0.1 second. [ ans 0.377 Ns :
3.77 N]
43. A batsman detects a ball by an angle of 45° without changing its initial speed which is 54 km/h. What is the
impulse imparted to the ball if its mass is 150 g ? [Ans. 4.16 kg ms-1
44. Tho bodies ot masses 4 kg and 3 kg respectively are connected by a light string passing over a smooth frictionless
pulley. Calculate the acceleration ot the masses and tension in the string. [Ans. 1.4 ms-2,33.6 N]
45. Two bodies whose masses are m1 = 50 kg and m2 = 150 kg are tied by a light string and are placed on a
frictionless horizontal surface. When m1 is pulled by a force F, an acceleration of 5 ms-2 is produced in both the
bodies. Calculate the value of F What is the tension in the string? [Ans. 1000 N, 750 N]
46. A balloon with mass M is descending down with an acceleration a ( < g). Calculate the mass m of its contents
that must be removed so that it starts moving up with the same acceleration. [Ans. m = 2 M a/(g + a)]

Newton’s third law of motion. : Newton’s third law of motion: To every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction
In simple terms, the law can be stated thus : Forces in nature always occur between pairs of bodies. Force on a body A by body
B is equal and opposite to the force on the body B by A. Action and reaction forces are simultaneous forces. There is no cause-
effect relation between action and reaction. Any of the two mutual forces can be called action and the other reaction. Action and
reaction act on different bodies and so they cannot be cancelled out. The internal action and reaction forces between different
parts of a body do, however, sum to zero.
The terms ‘action’ and ‘reaction’ in the third Law of Motion simply stand for simultaneous mutual forces between a pair of
bodies. Unlike their meaning in ordinary language, action does not precede or cause reaction. Action and reaction act on different
bodies.

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
Example 5.5 Two identical billiard balls strike a rigid wall with the same speed but at different angles, and get reflected without
any change in speed, as shown in Fig. What is (i) the direction of the force on the wall due to each ball? (ii) the ratio of the
magnitudes of impulses imparted to the balls by the wall ?[ the force on the wall due to the ball is normal to the wall along the
positive x-direction,and along y axis is zero ,1.2]
5.13 A man of mass 70 kg stands on a weighing scale in a lift which is moving
(a) upwards with a uniform speed of 10 m s-1,
(b) downwards with a uniform acceleration of 5 m s-2,
(c) upwards with a uniform acceleration of 5 m s-2. What would be the readings on the scale in each case?
(d) What would be the reading if the lift mechanism failed and it hurtled down freely under gravity ?[ 5.13 The reading on the
scale is a measure of the force on the floor by the man. By the Third Law, this is equal and opposite to the normal force N on the
man by the floor. (a) N = 70 × 10 = 700 N ; Reading is 70 kg (b) 70 × 10 – N = 70 × 5 ; Reading is 35 kg (c) N – 70 × 10 = 70 ×
5 ; Reading is 105 kg (d) 70 × 10 – N = 70 × 10; Reading would be zero; the scale would read zero.]
5.15 Two bodies of masses 10 kg and 20 kg respectively kept on a smooth, horizontal surface are tied to the ends of a light
string. a horizontal force F = 600 N is applied to (i) A, (ii) B along the direction of string. What is the tension in the string in each
case?[ 5.15 If the 20 kg mass is pulled,600 – T = 20 a, T = 10 a;a = 20 m s–2, T = 200 N If the 10 kg mass is pulled, a = 20 m s–
2, T = 400 N]

5.16 Two masses 8 kg and 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a light inextensible string that goes over a frictionless pulley.
Find the acceleration of the masses, and the tension in the string when the masses are released.
[ 5.16 T – 8 × 10 = 8 a,12 × 10 – T = 12a i.e. a = 2 m s–2, T = 96 N]
5.23 Explain why
(a) a horse cannot pull a cart and run in empty space,
(b) passengers are thrown forward from their seats when a speeding bus stops suddenly,
(c) it is easier to pull a lawn mower than to push it,
(d) a cricketer moves his hands backwards while holding a catch.[ 5.23 (a) The horse-cart system has no external force in empty
space. The mutual forces between the horse and the cart cancel (Third Law). On the ground, the contact force between the
system and the ground (friction) causes their motion from rest. (b) Due to inertia of the body not directly in contact with the seat.
(c) A lawn mower is pulled or pushed by applying force at an angle. When you push, the normal force (N) must be more than its
weight, for equilibrium in the vertical direction.
This results in greater friction f ( f ∝ N) and, therefore, a greater applied force to move. Just the opposite happens while pulling.
(d) To reduce the rate of change of momentum and hence to reduce the force necessary to stop the ball.]
**5.27 A helicopter of mass 1000 kg rises with a vertical acceleration of 15 m s-2. The crew and the passengers weigh 300 kg.
Give the magnitude and direction of the
(a) force on the floor by the crew and passengers,
(b) action of the rotor of the helicopter on the surrounding air,
(c) force on the helicopter due to the surrounding air.[ 5.27 (a) ‘Free body’ : crew and passengers
Force on the system by the floor = F upwards; weight of system = mg downwards;  F – mg = ma ;F – 300 × 10 = 300 × 15;
F = 7.5 × 103 N upward; By the Third Law, force on the floor by the crew and passengers = 7.5 × 103 N downwards. (b) ‘Free
body’ : helicopter plus the crew and passengers;Force by air on the system = R upwards; weight of system = mg downwards
 R – mg = ma;R – 1300 × 10 = 1300 × 15;R = 3.25 × 104 N upwards;By the Third Law, force (action) on the air by the
helicopter = 3.25 × 104 N downwards.
(c) 3.25 × 104 N upwards]

**5.29 Ten one-rupee coins are put on top of each other on a table. Each coin has a mass m. Give the magnitude and direction of
(a) the force on the 7th coin (counted from the bottom) due to all the coins on its top,
(b) the force on the 7th coin by the eighth coin,
(c) the reaction of the 6th coin on the 7th coin.[ 5.29 (a) 3 m g (down) (b) 3 m g (down) (c) 4 m g (up)]

**5.32 A block of mass 25 kg is raised by a 50 kg man in two different ways as


shown in Fig. What is the action on the floor by the man in the two cases ? If
the floor yields to a normal force of 700 N, which mode should the man adopt
to lift the block without the floor yielding ?[ 5.32 Consider the forces on the
man in equilibrium : his weight, force due to the rope and normal force due to
the floor. (a) 750 N (b) 250 N; mode (b) should be adopted.]

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
**5.33 A monkey of mass 40 kg climbs on a rope (Fig.) which can stand a maximum tension of 600 N.
In which of the following cases will the rope break: the monkey
(a) climbs up with an acceleration of 6 m s-2
(b) climbs down with an acceleration of 4 m s-2
(c) climbs up with a uniform speed of 5 m s-1
(d) falls down the rope nearly freely under gravity? (Ignore the mass of the rope).[ 5.33 (a) T – 400
= 240, T = 640 N(b) 400 – T = 160, T = 240 N (c) T = 400 N (d) T = 0; The rope will break in case (a).]

Law of conservation of linear momentum and its applications.: Law of Conservation of


Momentum The total momentum of an isolated system of particles is conserved. The law follows from
the second and third law of motion.

5.17 A nucleus is at rest in the laboratory frame of reference. Show that if it disintegrates into two smaller nuclei the products
must move in opposite directions.[ 5.17 By momentum conservation principle, total final momentum is zero. Two momentum
vectors cannot sum to a null momentum unless they are equal and opposite.]

5.18 Two billiard balls each of mass 0.05 kg moving in opposite directions with speed 6 m s-1 collide and rebound with the same
speed. What is the impulse imparted to each ball due to the other ?[ 5.18 Impulse on each ball = 0.05 ×12 = 0.6 kg m s-1 in
magnitude. The two impulses are opposite in direction.]

5.19 A shell of mass 0.020 kg is fired by a gun of mass 100 kg. If the muzzle speed of the shell is 80 m s-1, what is the recoil
speed of the gun ?[ 5.19 Use momentum conservation : 100 v = 0.02 × 80;v = 0.016 m s–1 = 1.6 cm s–1]

5.20 A batsman deflects a ball by an angle of 45° without changing its initial speed which is equal to 54 km/h. What is the
impulse imparted to the ball ? (Mass of the ball is 0.15 kg.)[ 5.20 Impulse is directed along the bisector of the initial and final
directions. Its magnitude is 0.15 × 2 × 15 × cos 22.5° = 4.2 kg m s–1]
**5.24 Figure shows the position-time
graph of a body of mass 0.04 kg. Suggest a
suitable physical context for this motion.
What is the time between two consecutive
impulses received by the body ? What is the
magnitude of each impulse ?[ 5.24 A body
with a constant speed of 1 cm s-1 receives
impulse of magnitude 0.04 kg × 0.02 m s–1
= 8 × 10–4 kg m s–1 after every 2 s from the
walls at x = 0 and x = 2 cm. ]

Practice problems: Conservation of linear momentum & Newtons IIIrd Law

15. A gun weighing 10 kg fires a bullet of 30 gram with a velocity of 330 ms-1. With what velocity does the gun
recoil ? What is the resultant momentum of the gun and the bullet before and after firing ? [Ans. -0 .99 ms-1.
Zero before and after firing]
16. A machine gun has a mass of 5 kg. It fires 50 gram bullets at the rate of 30 bullets per minute at a speed of 400
ms-l. What force is required to keep the machine gun in position ? [Ans. 10 N]
17. A hunter has a machine gun that can fire 50 gram bullets with a velocity of 150 ms-l. A 60 kg tiger springs at him
with a velocity of 10 ms-l. How many bullets must the hunter fire per second into the tiger in order to stop him in
his track ? [Ans. 80]
20. A dish of mass 20 gram is kept floating horizontally in air by firing 300 bullets per minute,which rebound from
the dish with the same speed in, opposite direction. Calculate velocity of the bullet at the time of impact, if each
bullet weighs 5 gram. [Ans.3.92m/s)
21.A man weighing 60 kg runs along the rails with a velocity of 18 km/h and jumps into a car of mass 100 kg
standing on the rails. Calculate the velocity with which the car will start traveling along the rails. [Ans. 1.88 m/s}
22. An elevator weighs 4000 kg. When the upward tension m the supporting cable is 48000 N, what is the upward
acceleration ? Starting from rest, how far does it rise in 3 seconds ? [Ans. 2.2ms-2 ; 9.9m)
23. The strings of a parachute can bear a maximum tension of 72 kg wt. By what minimum acceleration can a person
of 96 kg descend by means of this parachute.[Ans. 2.45 ms-2)

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
24. A 70 kg man in sea is being lifted by a helicopter with the help of a rope which can bear a maximum tension of
100 kg wt. With what maximum acceleration the helicopter should rise so that the rope may not break ? Given g
= 9.8 ms-2 [Ans. 4.2 ms-2
25. A body of mass 10 kg is hung by a spring balance in a lift. What would be the reading of the balance when (i) the
lift is ascending with an acceleration of 2 ms-2 (ii) descending with the same acceleration (iii) descending with a
constant velocity of 2 ms-1.Take g = 10 ms-2. [Ans. (i) 12 kg wt, (ii) 8 kg wt. (iii) 10 kg wt.]
26. An elevator and its load weigh a total of 800 kg. Find the tension T in the supporting cable when the elevator,
originally moving downwards at 20 m/s is brought to rest with constant retardation in a distance of 50 m.
[Ans. 1.104 x 104 N]
27. A lift of mass 2000 kg is supported by thick steel ropes. If maximum upward acceleration of the lift be 1.2 m/s 2,
and the breaking stress for the ropes be 2.8 x 108 Nm-2, calculate the minimum diameter of rope ? [Ans. 1 cm]
28. A lift of mass 400 kg is hung by a wire. Calculate the tension in the wire when the lift is (a) at rest (b) moving
upwards with a constant velocity of 1ms-1 (c) moving upwards with an acceleration of 2 ms-2 and (d) moving
downwards with an acceleration of 2 ms-2. [Ans. (a) 3920 N (b) 3920 N (c) 4720 N (d) 3120 N]
29. A 75 kg man stands in a lift. What force does the floor exert on him when the elevator starts moving upwards
with an acceleration of 2.0 ms-2.: g = 10 ms-2. Ans. 90 kg f]
30. A boy holding a spring balance in his hand suspends a weight of 1 kg from it. The balance slips from his hand
and falls down. What will be the reading of the balance while it is in air ? [Ans. Zero]
31. Fuel is consumed at the rate of 100 kg/s in a rocket.The exhaust gases are ejected at a speed of 4.5 x 104 ms-1
w.r.t. the rocket. What is the thrust experienced by the rocket ? Also, calculate velocity of the rocket at the
instant, when its mass is reduced to 1/10 th of its initial mass.Take initial velocity of rocket to be zero.
[Ans. 4.5 x 106 N ; 1.036 x 105 ms-1]
32. Calculate the ratio m o / m for a rocket to attain the escape velocity of 11.2 km s-1 after starting from rest, when
maximum exhaust velocity of .gases is 1.6 km/s. [Ans.1096]
33. A machine gun has a mass of 20 kg. It fires 25 g bullets at the rate of 600 bullets per minute with a speed of 200
ms-l. Calculate (i) recoil velocity of the gun (ii) force required to keep the gun in position. [Ans. 2.5 m/s, 50 N]
34. A rocket of initial mass 6000 kg ejects mass at a constant rate of 16 kg/s with constant relative speed of 11 km/s.
What is the acceleration of the rocket one minute after blast ? [Ans 34.92 m/s2
35. If the maximum possible exhaust velocity of a rocket be 2 km/s, calculate the ratio m o / m for it to acquire a
velocity of 11 .2 km/s after starting from rest. Ans 270.4
36. Two bodies of masses 11 kg and 11.5 kg are connected by a long light string passing over a smooth pulley.
Calculate velocity and height ascended/descended by each body at the end of 4s. [Ans.0.872m/s, 1.744m]

Equilibrium of concurrent forces.: . The familiar equation mg = R for a body on a table is true only if the body is in
equilibrium. The two forces mg and R can be different (e.g. a body in an accelerated lift). The equality of mg and R has no
connection with the third law.

Example 5.6 See Fig. A mass of 6 kg is suspended by a rope of length 2 m from the ceiling. A force of 50 N in the horizontal
direction is applied at the midpoint P of the rope, as shown. What is the angle the rope makes with the vertical in equilibrium ?
(Take g = 10 m s-2).
Neglect the mass of the
rope.[T1=50N,T2=60N,40o]

Static and kinetic friction,


laws of friction, rolling
friction.: Friction Frictional
force opposes (impending
or actual) relative motion
between two surfaces in
contact. It is the component
of the contact force along
the common tangent to the
surface in contact. Static
friction fs opposes
impending relative motion;
kinetic friction fk opposes
actual relative motion. They are independent of the area of contact and satisfy the following approximate laws :

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
( )max
fs≤ fs =μsR
kk
f = μR
μs (co-efficient of static friction) and μk (co-efficient of kinetic friction) are constants characteristic of the pair of surfaces in
contact. It is found experimentally that μk is less than μs .
Static friction is a self-adjusting force up to its limit μs N (fs ≤ μs N). Do not put fs= μs N without being sure that the maximum
value of static friction is coming into play.

Example 5.7 Determine the maximum acceleration of the train in which a box lying on its floor will remain stationary, given that
the co-efficient of static friction between the box and the train’s floor is 0.15.[ amax = μs g = 0.15 x 10 m s–2
Example 5.8 See Fig. .A mass of 4 kg rests on a horizontal
plane. The plane isgradually inclined until at an angle =
15°
with the horizontal, the mass just begins to
slide. What is the coefficient of static friction
between the block and the surface ?[max = 15°,
µs = tan 15°= 0.27]

Example 5.9 What is the acceleration of


the block and trolley system shown in a
Fig. 5.12(a), if the coefficient of kinetic friction
between the trolley and the surface is 0.04?
What is the tension in the string? (Take g =
10 m s-2). Neglect the mass of the string. [N = 20 x 10 = 200 N.;
a = 22/23 m s –2 = 0.96 m s-2 and T = 27.1 N.]

**5.25 Figure shows a man standing stationary with respect to a


horizontal conveyor belt that is accelerating with 1 m s-2. What is
the net force on the man? If the coefficient of static friction
between the man’s shoes and the belt is 0.2, up to what
acceleration of the belt can the man continue to be stationary
relative to the belt ? (Mass of the man = 65 kg.) Fig. 5.18 Fig.
5.19[5.25 Net force = 65 kg × 1 m s–2 = 65 N;amax = μs g = 2 m s–2]

**5.34 Two bodies


A and B of masses 5 kg and 10 kg in contact with each other rest on a table against a rigid wall (Fig. ).
The coefficient of friction between the bodies and the table is 0.15. A force of 200 N is applied
horizontally to A. What are (a) the reaction of the partition (b) the action-reaction forces between A and
B ? What happens when the wall is removed? Does the answer to (b) change, when the bodies are in
motion? Ignore the difference between μs and µk.[ 5.34 We assume perfect contact between bodies A and
B and the rigid partition. In that case, the self-adjusting normal force on B by the partition (reaction)
equals 200 N. There is no impending motion and no friction. The action-reaction forces between A and B

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
are also 200 N. When the partition is removed, kinetic friction comes into play. Acceleration of A + B = [ 200 – ( 150 × 0.15 ) ] /
15 =11.8 m s–2 Friction on A = 0.15 × 50 = 7.5 N ;200 – 7.5 – FAB = 5 × 11.8; FAB = 1.3 × 102 N; opposite to motion .FBA = 1.3 ×
102 N; in the direction of motion.]

**5.35 A block of mass 15 kg is placed on a long trolley. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the trolley is
0.18. The trolley accelerates from rest with 0.5 m s-2 for 20 s and then moves with uniform velocity. Discuss the motion of the
block as viewed by (a) a stationary observer on the ground, (b) an observer moving with the trolley.[ 5.35 (a) Maximum
frictional force possible for opposing impending relative motion between the block and the trolley = 150 × 0.18 = 27 N, which is
more than the frictional force of 15 × 0.5 = 7.5 N needed to accelerate the box with the trolley. When the trolley moves with
uniform velocity, there is no force of friction acting on the block. (b) For the accelerated (non-inertial) observer, frictional force
is opposed by the pseudoforce of the same magnitude, keeping the box at rest relative to the observer. When the trolley moves
with uniform velocity there is no pseudo-force for the moving (inertial) observer and no friction.]

**5.36 The rear side of a truck is open and a box of 40 kg mass is placed
5 m away from the open end as shown
in Fig. The coefficient of friction between the box and the surface
below it is 0.15. On a straight road, the truck starts from rest and
accelerates with 2 m s-2. At what distance from the starting point does
the box fall off the truck? (Ignore the size of the box).[ 5.36
Acceleration of the box due to friction = μg = 0.15 × 10 = 1.5 m s–2.
But the acceleration of the truck is greater. The acceleration of the box
2 x5
relative to the truck is 0.5 m s-2 towards the rear end. The time taken for the box to fall off the truck =  20 s .
0.5
During this time, the truck covers a distance = ½ × 2 × 20 = 20 m. ]

Practice Problems on Friction:

1. A body slipping on a rough horizontal plane moves with a deceleration of 4 ms-2. What is the coefficient of kinetic
friction b/n the body and the plane ? [Ans.0.41]
2. A block slides down an incline of 30° with the horizontal. Starting from rest, it covers 8 m in the first two seconds.
Find the coefficient of kinetic friction between the two. [ Ans. 0. 11] .
3. In a children park, an inclined plane is constructed with an angle of incline 45° in the middle part. Find the
acceleration of a child sliding on it. Take μ= 0 .6 and g = 10 ms-2. [Ans. 2.828 m/s]
4. A car starts from rest on a half kilometer long bridge. The coefficient of friction between the tyres and road is 1 .0.
Show that one cannot drive through the bridge in less than 10 s.
5. A block of mass 2.5 kg is kept on a rough horizontal surface. It is found that the block does not slide down if a
horizontal force less than 15N is applied to it. Also, it is found that the block takes 5 s to slide through the first 10
m, if a horizontal force of 15 N is applied and the block is gently pushed to start the motion. Taking g = 10ms -2
,calculate the coefficient of static and kinetic friction between the block and the surface. [Ans.0.60 ; 0.52]
6. A force of 3 kg wt. is just sufficient to pull a block of 4 kg over a horizontal surface. What is the angle of friction ?
[Ans. 36° 52']
7. If angle of friction is 30°, calculate the coefficient of friction. [Ans.0.577]
8. An automobile is moving on a horizontal road with a speed v. If the coefficient of friction
between the tyres and the road is μ , show that the shortest distance in which the automobile can be stopped is
v2
.
2 g
9. A horizontal force of 1.2 kg is applied on a 1.5 kg block, which rests on a horizontal surface. If the coefficient of
friction is 0.3, find the acceleration produced in the block. [Ans. 4.9 ms-1
10. A motor car running at the rate of 7 ms-l can be stopped by applying brakes in 10 m. Show that total resistance to
the motion, when brakes are on, is one fourth of the weight of the car.
11. A train weighing 1000 quintals is running on a level road with a uniform speed of 72 km/h. If the frictional
resistance amounts to 50 g. wt. Per quintal, find power in watt, take g = 9.8 ms-2. [Ans.9800watt]
12. A body of mass 400g slides on a rough horizontal surface. If the frictional force is 3 N, find (a) the
angle made by the contact force on the body with the vertical and (b) the magnitude of the contact
force. Take g =10 m/s2 [Ans.36°52' , 5N]

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
13. A block slide down an incline of angle 30° with an acceleration g/4. Find. the kinetic friction coefficient. [ 1/2 √3]
14. A block of mass 2 kg rests on a plane inclined at 30° with the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the
block and the surface is 0.7. What will be the frictional force acting on the block ? [Ans.9.8N]
15. A box of mass 4 kg rests on an inclined plane.The Inclination of the plane to the horizontal is increased. It is
found that when slope of plane is 1 in 3, the box starts sliding down. Calculate (i) Coefficient of friction between
the box and the plane (ii) Force applied parallel to the plane to make the block just move up the plane.
[Ans. μ = 0.35, F = 26.13 N]
16. A body weighing 20 kg just slides down a rough inclined plane that rises 5 m in every 12 m. What
is the coefficient of friction ? [Ans.0.458]
17. A block of metal of mass 0.05 kg when placed over a smooth plane inclined at 15° slides down without
acceleration. The inclination is now increased by 15°. What would be the new acceleration ? [Ans. 2.63 ms-2
18. An engine draws a train up an incline of 1 in 100 at the rate of 36 km/h. If the resistance due to
friction is 5 kg per metric ton, calculate the power of the engine, given mass of train and engine is
100 metric ton. [Ans. 147 kW]
19. Calculate the power of an engine which can pull a train of mass 25000 quintal up an incline of 1 in 100 at the rate
of 10.8 km/h. Resistance due to friction is 2 N/quintal. [Ans.8.85 x 105 watt]
20. Find the force required to move a train of mass 5000 quintals up an incline of 1 in 50 with an acceleration of 2
m/s2. Take force of friction =0.2 N/quintal and g=10 ms-2. [Ans 1.11 x106 N]
21. A suitcase is gently dropped on a conveyor belt moving at 3 m/s. If the coefficient of friction between the belt
and the suitcase is 0.5, how far will the suitcase move on the belt before coming to rest ? [Ans.0.92m}

Dynamics of uniform circular motion: Centripetal force, examples of circular motion


(vehicle on level circular road, vehicle on banked road).
The centripetal force should not be regarded as yet another kind of force. It is simply a name given to the force that provides
inward radial acceleration to a body in circular motion. We should always look for some material force like tension, gravitational
force, electrical force, friction, etc as the centripetal force in any circular motion.
The objective concept of force in physics should not be confused with the subjective concept of the ‘feeling of force’. On a
merry-go-around, all parts of our body are subject to an inward force, but we have a feeling of being pushed outward – the
direction of impending motion.

Example 5.10 A cyclist speeding at 18 km/h on a level road takes a sharp circular turn of radius 3 m without reducing the speed.
The co-efficient of static friction between the tyres and the road is 0.1. Will the cyclist slip while taking the turn ?[ v2= 25 m2 s-
2. The condition is not obeyed.The cyclist will slip while taking the circular
turn.]

Example 5.11 A circular racetrack of radius 300 m is banked at an angle of 15°.If the coefficient of friction between the wheels
of a race-car and the road is 0.2, what is the (a) optimum speed of the racecar to avoid wear and tear on its tyres, and (b)
maximum permissible speed to avoid slipping ?[ vO = 28.1 m s-1.; 38.1 m /s]
5.4 One end of a string of length l is connected to a particle of mass m and the other to a small peg on a smooth horizontal table.
If the particle moves in a circle with speed v the net force on the particle (directed towards the centre) is :
mv 2 mv 2
(i) T, (ii) T  (iii) T  (iv) 0 ; T is the tension in the string. [Choose the correct alternative].[ (i) T]
l l

5.21 A stone of mass 0.25 kg tied to the end of a string is whirled round in a circle of radius 1.5 m with a speed of 40 rev./min in
a horizontal plane. What is the tension in the string ? What is the maximum speed with which the stone can be whirled around if
the string can withstand a maximum tension of 200 N ?[ 5.21 v=2πx1.5x
2
40 mv 2 mv max
 2ms ; T 
1
 6.6 N ;200  whichgivesv max =35ms-1
60 R R
5.22 If, in Exercise 5.21, the speed of the stone is increased beyond the maximum permissible value, and the string breaks
suddenly, which of the following correctly describes the trajectory of the stone after the string breaks :
(a) the stone moves radially outwards,
(b) the stone flies off tangentially from the instant the string breaks,
(c) the stone flies off at an angle with the tangent whose magnitude depends on the speed of the particle ?[ 5.22 Alternative (b) is
correct, according to the First Law]

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
**5.26 A stone of mass m tied to the end of a string revolves in a vertical circle of radius R. The net forces at the lowest and
highest points of the circle directed vertically downwards are : [Choose the correct alternative]
Lowest Point Highest Point
(a) mg – T1 mg + T2
(b) mg + T1 mg – T2
mv12 mv12
(c) mg  T1  mg  T1 
R R
mv12 mv 2
(d) mg  T1  mg  T2  1
R R
T1 and v1 denote the tension and speed at the lowest point. T2 and v2 denote corresponding values at the highest point.[ 5.26
mv 22 mv12
Alternative (a) is correct. Note mg + T2 = ; T1  mg  The moral is : do not confuse the actual material forces on a
R R
v2 v2
body (tension, gravitational force, etc) with the effects they produce : centripetal acceleration 2 or 2 in this example.]
R R
**5.30 An aircraft executes a horizontal loop at a speed of 720 km/h with its wings banked at 15°. What is the radius of the
mv 2
loop ?[ 5.30 If N is the normal force on the wings, N cos   mg ; ; ; N sin   which give
R
v2 200 x 200
R   15km ]
g tan  10 x tan 15 o

**5.31 A train runs along an unbanked circular track of radius 30 m at a speed of 54 km/h. The mass of the train is 106 kg. What
provides the centripetal force required for this purpose — The engine or the rails ? What is the angle of banking required to
prevent wearing out of the rail ?[ 5.31 The centripetal force is provided by the lateral thrust by the rail on the flanges of the
wheels. By the Third Law, the train exerts an equal and opposite thrust on the rail causing its wear and tear. Angle of banking =
 v2 
tan 1    37 o .
 Rg 
**5.37 A disc revolves with a speed of 33 1/ 3 rev/min, and has a radius of 15 cm. Two coins are placed at 4 cm and 14 cm away
from the centre of the record. If the co-efficient of friction between the coins and the record is 0.15, which of the coins will
revolve with the record ?[ 5.37 For the coin to revolve with the disc, the force of friction should be enough to provide the
mv 2
necessary centripetal force, i.e  μ m g. Now v = rω, where
r
ω = 2 π/T is the angular frequency of the disc. For a given μ and ω, the condition is r ≤ μg / ω2. The condition is satisfied by
the nearer coin ( 4 cm from the centre).]

**5.38 You may have seen in a circus a motorcyclist driving in vertical loops inside a ‘deathwell’ (a hollow spherical chamber
with holes, so the spectators can watch from outside). Explain clearly why the motorcyclist does not drop down when he is at the
uppermost point, with no support from below. What is the minimum speed required at the uppermost position to perform a
vertical loop if the radius of the chamber is 25 m ?[ 5.38 At the uppermost point, N+ mg= mv2/R where N is the normal force
(downwards) on the motorcyclist by the ceiling of the chamber. The minimum possible speed at the uppermost point corresponds
to N = 0. v max  Rg  16ms 1 ]

**5.39 A 70 kg man stands in contact against the inner wall of a hollow cylindrical drum of radius 3 m rotating about its vertical
axis with 200 rev/min. The coefficient of friction between the wall and his clothing is 0.15. What is the minimum rotational
speed of the cylinder to enable the man to remain stuck to the wall (without falling) when the floor is suddenly removed ?[ 5.39
The horizontal force N by the wall on the man provides the needed centripetal force : N= m R ω2. The frictional force f
(vertically upwards) opposes the weight mg. The man
remains stuck to the wall after the floor is removed if mg = f < μ N i.e. mg < μ m R ω2. The
minimum angular speed of rotation of the cylinder is ωmin = g /  R = 5 s–1]

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
**5.40 A thin circular loop of radius R rotates about its vertical diameter with an angular frequency . Show that a small bead
g
on the wire loop remains at its lowermost point for   . What is the angle made by the radius vector joining the centre to
R
2g
the bead with the vertical downward direction for   ? Neglect friction.
R
[ 5.40 Consider the free-body diagram of the bead when the radius vector joining the centre of the wire makes an angle θ with
the vertical downward direction. We have mg = N cos θ and m R sin θ ω2 = N sin θ. These equations give cos θ = g/Rω2. Since
g 2g
cos θ ≤ 1, the bead remains at its lowermost point for   . For  
R R
cos θ=1/2 i.e. θ =600]

Solving Problems in mechanics

Example 5.12 See (Fig. 5.15) A wooden block of mass 2


kg rests on a soft horizontal floor. When an iron cylinder of mass 25
kg is placed on top of the block, the floor yields steadily and the
block and the cylinder
together go down with an acceleration of 0.1 m s–2. What is the
action of the block on the floor (a) before and (b) after the floor
yields ? Take g = 10 m s–2. Identify the action-reaction pairs in the
problem.[ 20 N; 270 – R′ = 27 × 0.1N
ie. R′ = 267.3 N]

EXERCISES

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
NCERT QUESTIONS EXAMPLES + EXERCISES

Example 5.1 An astronaut accidentally gets separated out of his small spaceship accelerating in inter stellar space at a constant
rate of 100 m s-2. What is the acceleration of the astronaut the instant after he is outside the spaceship ? (Assume that there are
no nearby stars to exert gravitational force on him.)

Example 5.2 A bullet of mass 0.04 kg moving with a speed of 90 m s-1 enters a heavy wooden block and is stopped after a
distance of 60 cm. What is the average resistive force exerted by the block on the bullet?

Example 5.3 The motion of a particle of mass m is described by y = ut gt 1 2 2 . Find the force acting on the particle.

Example 5.4 A batsman hits back a ball straight in the direction of the bowler without changing its initial speed of 12 m s–1. $ If
the mass of the ball is 0.15 kg, determine the impulse imparted to the ball. (Assume linear motion of the ball)

Example 5.5 Two identical billiard balls strike a rigid wall with the same speed but at different angles, and get reflected without
any change in speed, as shown in Fig. 5.6. What is (i) the direction of the force on the wall due to each ball? (ii) the ratio of the
magnitudes of impulses imparted to the balls by the wall ?

Example 5.6 See Fig. 5.8 A mass of 6 kg is suspended by a rope of length 2 m from the ceiling. A force of 50 N in the horizontal
direction is applied at the midpoint P of the rope, as shown. What is the angle the rope makes with the vertical in equilibrium ?
(Take g = 10 m s-2). Neglect the mass of the rope.

Example 5.7 Determine the maximum acceleration of the train in which a box lying on its floor will remain stationary, given that
the co-efficient of static friction between the box and the train’s floor is 0.15.

Example 5.8 See Fig. 5.11. A mass of 4 kg rests on a


horizontal plane. The plane isgradually inclined until at an
angle = 15°
with the horizontal, the mass just begins to
slide. What is the coefficient of static friction
between the block and the surface ?

Example 5.9 What is the acceleration of


the block and trolley system shown in a
Fig. 5.12(a), if the coefficient of kinetic friction
between the trolley and the surface is 0.04?
What is the tension in the string? (Take g =
10 m s-2). Neglect the mass of the string.

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
Example 5.10 A cyclist speeding at 18 km/h on a level road takes a sharp circular turn of radius 3 m without reducing the speed.
The co-efficient of static friction between the tyres and the road is 0.1. Will the cyclist slip while taking the turn ?

Example 5.11 A circular racetrack of radius 300 m is banked at an angle of 15°.If the coefficient of friction between the wheels
of a race-car and the road is 0.2, what is the (a) optimum speed of the racecar to avoid wear and tear on its tyres, and (b)
maximum permissible speed to avoid slipping ?

Example 5.12 See (Fig. 5.15) A wooden block of mass 2 kg


rests on a soft horizontal floor. When an iron cylinder of mass 25
kg is placed on top of the block, the floor yields steadily and
the block and the cylinder
together go down with an acceleration of 0.1 m s–2. What is
the action of the block on the floor (a) before and (b) after the
floor yields ? Take g = 10 m s–2. Identify the action-reaction
pairs in the problem.

EXERCISES
(For simplicity in numerical calculations, take g = 10 m s-2)
5.1 Give the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on
(a) a drop of rain falling down with a constant speed,
(b) a cork of mass 10 g floating on water,
(c) a kite skillfully held stationary in the sky,
(d) a car moving with a constant velocity of 30 km/h on a rough road,
(e) a high-speed electron in space far from all material objects, and free of electric and magnetic fields.
[ 5.1 (a) to (d) No net force according to the First Law(e) No force, since it is far away from all material agencies producing
electromagnetic and gravitational forces.]

5.2 A pebble of mass 0.05 kg is thrown vertically upwards. Give the direction and magnitude of the net force on the pebble,
(a) during its upward motion,
(b) during its downward motion,
(c) at the highest point where it is momentarily at rest. Do your answers change if the pebble was thrown at an angle of 45° with
the horizontal direction?Ignore air resistance.[ 5.2 The only force in each case is the force of gravity, (neglecting effects of air)

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
equal to 0.5 N vertically downward. The answers do not change, even if the motion of the pebble is not along the vertical. The
pebble is not at rest at the highest point. It has a constant
horizontal component of velocity throughout its motion]

5.3 Give the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on a stone of mass 0.1 kg,
(a) just after it is dropped from the window of a stationary train,
(b) just after it is dropped from the window of a train running at a constant velocity of 36 km/h,
(c ) just after it is dropped from the window of a train accelerating with 1 m s-2,
(d) lying on the floor of a train which is accelerating with 1 m s-2, the stone being at rest relative to the train.
Neglect air resistance throughout.[ 5.3 (a) 1 N vertically downwards (b) same as in (a)(c) same as in (a); force at an instant
depends on the situation at that instant, not on history. (d) 0.1 N in the direction of motion of the train.]

5.4 One end of a string of length l is connected to a particle of mass m and the other to a small peg on a smooth horizontal table.
If the particle moves in a circle with speed v the net force on the particle (directed towards the centre) is :
mv 2 mv 2
(i) T, (ii) T  (iii) T  (iv) 0 ; T is the tension in the string. [Choose the correct alternative].[ (i) T]
l l

5.5 A constant retarding force of 50 N is applied to a body of mass 20 kg moving initially with a speed of 15 m s-1. How long
does the body take to stop ?[ a = – 2.5 m s–2. Using v = u + at, 0 = 15 – 2.5 t i.e., t = 6.0 s]

5.6 A constant force acting on a body of mass 3.0 kg changes its speed from 2.0 m s-1 to 3.5 m s-1 in 25 s. The direction of the
motion of the body remains unchanged. What is the magnitude and direction of the force ?[ 5.6 a = 1.5/25 = 0.06 m s–2 ;F = 3 ×
0.06 = 0.18 N in the direction of motion.]

5.7 A body of mass 5 kg is acted upon by two perpendicular forces 8 N and 6 N. Give the magnitude and direction of the
acceleration of the body.[ 5.7 Resultant force = 10 N at an angle of tan–1 (3/4) = 37° with the direction of 8 N force. Acceleration
= 2 m s–2 in the direction of the resultant force.]

5.8 The driver of a three-wheeler moving with a speed of 36 km/h sees a child standing in the middle of the road and brings his
vehicle to rest in 4.0 s just in time to save the child. What is the average retarding force on the vehicle ? The mass of the three-
wheeler is 400 kg and the mass of the driver is 65 kg.[ 5.8 a = – 2.5 m s–2 , Retarding force = 465 × 2.5 = 1.2 × 103 N]

5.9 A rocket with a lift-off mass 20,000 kg is blasted upwards with an initial acceleration of 5.0 m s-2. Calculate the initial thrust
(force) of the blast.[ 5.9 F – 20,000 × 10 = 20000 × 5.0, i.e., F = 3.0 × 105 N]

5.10 A body of mass 0.40 kg moving initially with a constant speed of 10 m s-1 to the north is subject to a constant force of 8.0
N directed towards the south for 30 s. Take the instant the force is applied to be t = 0, the position of the body at that time to be x
= 0, and predict its position at t = –5 s, 25 s, 100 s.
[ 5.10 a = – 20 m s–2 0 ≤ t ≤ 30 s ; t = –5 s : x = u t = – 10 × 5 = –50 m; t = 25 s : x = u t + (½) a t2 = (10 × 25 – 10 × 625)m =
– 6 km ; t = 100 s : First consider motion up to 30 s;x1 = 10 × 30 – 10 × 900 = – 8700 m;At t = 30 s, v = 10 – 20 × 30 = –590 m
s-1;For motion from 30 s to 100 s : x2 = – 590 × 70 = – 41300 m; x = x1 + x2 = – 50 km]

5.11 A truck starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 2.0 m s-2. At t = 10 s, a stone is dropped by a person standing on the
top of the truck (6 m high from the ground). What are the (a) velocity, and (b) acceleration of the stone at t =11s ? (Neglect air
resistance.)[ 5.11 (a) Velocity of car ( at t = 10 s ) = 0 + 2 × 10 = 20 m s–1
By the First Law, the horizontal component of velocity is 20 m s–1 throughout.;Vertical component of velocity (at t = 11s) = 0 +
10 × 1 = 10 m s–1;Velocity of stone (at t = 11s) = 20 2  10 2  500 =22.4 m s–1 at an angle of tan–1 ( ½) with the
horizontal.(b)10 m s-2 vertically downwards.]

5.12 A bob of mass 0.1 kg hung from the ceiling of a room by a string 2 m long is set into oscillation. The speed of the bob at its
mean position is 1 m s-1. What is the trajectory of the bob if the string is cut when the bob is (a) at one of its extreme positions,
(b) at its mean position.[ 5.12 (a) At the extreme position, the speed of the bob is zero. If the string is cut, it will fall vertically
downwards.(b) At the mean position, the bob has a horizontal velocity. If the string is cut, it will fall along a parabolic path.]

5.13 A man of mass 70 kg stands on a weighing scale in a lift which is moving


(a) upwards with a uniform speed of 10 m s-1,

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
(b) downwards with a uniform acceleration of 5 m s-2,
(c) upwards with a uniform acceleration of 5 m s-2. What would be the readings on the scale in each case?
(d) What would be the reading if the lift mechanism failed and it hurtled down freely under gravity ?[ 5.13 The reading on the
scale is a measure of the force on the floor by the man. By the Third Law, this is equal and opposite to the normal force N on the
man by the floor. (a) N = 70 × 10 = 700 N ; Reading is 70 kg (b) 70 × 10 – N = 70 × 5 ; Reading is 35 kg (c) N – 70 × 10 = 70 ×
5 ; Reading is 105 kg (d) 70 × 10 – N = 70 × 10; Reading would be zero; the scale would read zero.]

5.14 Figure shows the position-time graph of a particle of


mass 4 kg. What is the (a) force on the particle for t < 0, t >
4 s, 0 < t < 4 s? (b) impulse at t = 0 and t = 4 s ? (Consider
one-dimensional motion only).[5.14 (a) In all the three
intervals, acceleration and, therefore, force are zero.(b) 3 kg
m s–1 at t = 0 ; (c) –3 kg m s–1 at t = 4 s.]

5.15 Two bodies of masses 10 kg and 20 kg respectively


kept on a smooth, horizontal surface are tied to the ends of a
light string. a horizontal force F = 600 N is applied to (i) A, (ii) B along the direction of string. What is the tension in the string in
each case?[ 5.15 If the 20 kg mass is pulled,600 – T = 20 a, T = 10 a;a = 20 m s–2, T = 200 N If the 10 kg mass is pulled, a = 20
m s–2, T = 400 N]

5.16 Two masses 8 kg and 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a light inextensible string that goes over a frictionless pulley.
Find the acceleration of the masses, and the tension in the string when the masses are released.[ 5.16 T – 8 × 10 = 8 a,12 × 10 –
T = 12a i.e. a = 2 m s–2, T = 96 N]

5.17 A nucleus is at rest in the laboratory frame of reference. Show that if it disintegrates into two smaller nuclei the products
must move in opposite directions.[ 5.17 By momentum conservation principle, total final momentum is zero. Two momentum
vectors cannot sum to a null momentum unless they are equal and opposite.
]

5.18 Two billiard balls each of mass 0.05 kg moving in opposite directions with speed 6 m s-1 collide and rebound with the same
speed. What is the impulse imparted to each ball due to the other ?[ 5.18 Impulse on each ball = 0.05 ×12 = 0.6 kg m s-1 in
magnitude. The two impulses are opposite in direction.]

5.19 A shell of mass 0.020 kg is fired by a gun of mass 100 kg. If the muzzle speed of the shell is 80 m s-1, what is the recoil
speed of the gun ?[ 5.19 Use momentum conservation : 100 v = 0.02 × 80;v = 0.016 m s–1 = 1.6 cm s–1]

5.20 A batsman deflects a ball by an angle of 45° without changing its initial speed which is equal to 54 km/h. What is the
impulse imparted to the ball ? (Mass of the ball is 0.15 kg.)[ 5.20 Impulse is directed along the bisector of the initial and final
directions. Its magnitude is 0.15 × 2 × 15 × cos 22.5° = 4.2 kg m s–1]

5.21 A stone of mass 0.25 kg tied to the end of a string is whirled round in a circle of radius 1.5 m with a speed of 40 rev./min in
a horizontal plane. What is the tension in the string ? What is the maximum speed with which the stone can be whirled around if
the string can withstand a maximum tension of 200 N ?[ 5.21 v=2πx1.5x
2
40 mv 2 mv max
 2ms 1 ; T   6.6 N ;200  whichgivesv max =35ms-1
60 R R
5.22 If, in Exercise 5.21, the speed of the stone is increased beyond the maximum permissible value, and the string breaks
suddenly, which of the following correctly describes the trajectory of the stone after the string breaks :
(a) the stone moves radially outwards,
(b) the stone flies off tangentially from the instant the string breaks,

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
(c) the stone flies off at an angle with the tangent whose magnitude depends on the speed of the particle ?[ 5.22 Alternative (b) is
correct, according to the First Law]

5.23 Explain why


(a) a horse cannot pull a cart and run in empty space,
(b) passengers are thrown forward from their seats when a speeding bus stops suddenly,
(c) it is easier to pull a lawn mower than to push it,
(d) a cricketer moves his hands backwards while holding a catch.[ 5.23 (a) The horse-cart system has no external force in empty
space. The mutual forces between the horse and the cart cancel (Third Law). On the ground, the contact force between the
system and the ground (friction) causes their motion from rest. (b) Due to inertia of the body not directly in contact with the seat.
(c) A lawn mower is pulled or pushed by applying force at an angle. When you push, the normal force (N) must be more than its
weight, for equilibrium in the vertical direction.
This results in greater friction f ( f ∝ N) and, therefore, a greater applied force to move. Just the opposite happens while pulling.
(d) To reduce the rate of change of momentum and hence to reduce the force necessary to stop the ball.]

Additional Exercises

**5.24 Figure shows the position-time


graph of a body of mass 0.04 kg. Suggest a
suitable physical context for this motion.
What is the time between two consecutive
impulses received by the body ? What is
the magnitude of each impulse ?[ 5.24 A
body with a constant speed of 1 cm s-1
receives impulse of magnitude 0.04 kg ×
0.02 m s–1 = 8 × 10–4 kg m s–1 after
every 2 s from the walls at x = 0 and x = 2
cm. ]

**5.25 Figure shows a man standing stationary with respect to a horizontal conveyor belt that is accelerating with 1 m s -2. What
is the net force on the man? If the
coefficient of static friction between
the man’s shoes and the belt is 0.2, up to
what acceleration of the belt can the
man continue to be stationary relative to
the belt ? (Mass of the man = 65 kg.)
Fig. 5.18 Fig. 5.19[5.25 Net force = 65 kg
× 1 m s–2 = 65 N;amax = μs g = 2 m s– 2]

**5.26 A stone of mass m tied to the


end of a string revolves in a vertical
circle of radius R. The net forces at the
lowest and highest points of the circle
directed vertically downwards are :
[Choose the correct alternative]
Lowest Point Highest Point
(a) mg – T1 mg + T2
(b) mg + T1 mg – T2

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
2 2
mv mv
(c) mg  T1  1
mg  T1  1

R R
mv12 mv 2
(d) mg  T1  mg  T2  1
R R
T1 and v1 denote the tension and speed at the lowest point. T2 and v2 denote corresponding values at the highest point.[ 5.26
mv 22 mv12
Alternative (a) is correct. Note mg + T2 = ; T1  mg  The moral is : do not confuse the actual material forces on a
R R
v2 v2
body (tension, gravitational force, etc) with the effects they produce : centripetal acceleration 2 or 2 in this example.]
R R
**5.27 A helicopter of mass 1000 kg rises with a vertical acceleration of 15 m s-2. The crew and the passengers weigh 300 kg.
Give the magnitude and direction of the
(a) force on the floor by the crew and passengers,
(b) action of the rotor of the helicopter on the surrounding air,
(c) force on the helicopter due to the surrounding air.[ 5.27 (a) ‘Free body’ : crew and passengers
Force on the system by the floor = F upwards; weight of system = mg downwards;  F – mg = ma ;F – 300 × 10 = 300 × 15;
F = 7.5 × 103 N upward; By the Third Law, force on the floor by the crew and passengers = 7.5 × 103 N downwards. (b) ‘Free
body’ : helicopter plus the crew and passengers;Force by air on the system = R upwards; weight of system = mg downwards
 R – mg = ma;R – 1300 × 10 = 1300 × 15;R = 3.25 × 104 N upwards;By the Third Law, force (action) on the air by the
helicopter = 3.25 × 104 N downwards.
(c) 3.25 × 104 N upwards]

**5.28 A stream of water flowing horizontally with a speed of 15 m s-1 gushes out of a tube of cross-sectional area 10-2 m2, and
hits a vertical wall nearby. What is the force exerted on the wall by the impact of water, assuming it does not rebound ?[ 5.28
Mass of water hitting the wall per second = 103 kg m–3 × 10–2 m2 × 15 m s–1 = 150 kg s –1;Force by the wall = momentum loss
of water per second = 150 kg s–1 × 15 m s-1 = 2.25
× 103 N]

**5.29 Ten one-rupee coins are put on top of each other on a table. Each coin has a mass m. Give the magnitude and direction of
(a) the force on the 7th coin (counted from the bottom) due to all the coins on its top,
(b) the force on the 7th coin by the eighth coin,
(c) the reaction of the 6th coin on the 7th coin.[ 5.29 (a) 3 m g (down) (b) 3 m g (down) (c) 4 m g (up)]

**5.30 An aircraft executes a horizontal loop at a speed of 720 km/h with its wings banked at 15°. What is the radius of the
mv 2
loop ?[ 5.30 If N is the normal force on the wings, N cos   mg ; ; ; N sin   which give
R
v2 200 x 200
R   15km ]
g tan  10 x tan 15 o

**5.31 A train runs along an unbanked circular track of radius 30 m at a speed of 54 km/h. The mass of the train is 106 kg. What
provides the centripetal force required for this purpose — The engine or the rails ? What is the angle of banking required to
prevent wearing out of the rail ?[ 5.31 The centripetal force is provided by the lateral thrust by the rail on the flanges of the
wheels. By the Third Law, the train exerts an equal and opposite thrust on the rail causing its wear and tear. Angle of banking =
 v2 
tan 1    37 o
 Rg 

**5.32 A block of mass 25 kg is raised by a 50 kg man in two different ways as


shown in Fig. What is the action on the floor by the man in the two cases ? If

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
the floor yields to a normal force of 700 N, which mode should the man adopt to lift the block without the floor yielding ?[ 5.32
Consider the forces on the man in equilibrium : his weight, force due to the rope and normal force due to the floor. (a) 750 N (b)
250 N; mode (b) should be adopted.]

**5.33 A monkey of mass 40 kg climbs on a rope (Fig.) which can stand a maximum tension of 600 N. In which of the following
cases will the rope break: the monkey
(a) climbs up with an acceleration of 6 m s-2
(b) climbs down with an acceleration of 4 m s-2
(c) climbs up with a uniform speed of 5 m s-1
(d) falls down the rope nearly freely under gravity? (Ignore the mass of the rope).[ 5.33 (a) T – 400 = 240, T = 640
N(b) 400 – T = 160, T = 240 N (c) T = 400 N (d) T = 0; The rope will break in case (a).]

**5.34 Two bodies A and B of masses 5 kg and 10 kg in contact with each other rest on a
table against a rigid wall (Fig. ). The coefficient of friction between the bodies and the
table is 0.15. A force of 200 N is applied horizontally to A. What are (a) the reaction of the
partition (b) the action-reaction forces between A and B ? What happens when the wall is
removed? Does the answer to (b) change, when the bodies are in motion? Ignore the
difference between μs and µk.[ 5.34 We assume perfect contact between bodies A and B
and the rigid partition. In that case, the self-adjusting normal force on B by the partition
(reaction) equals 200 N. There is no impending motion and no friction. The action-
reaction forces between A and B are also 200 N. When the partition is removed, kinetic
friction comes into play. Acceleration of A + B = [ 200 – ( 150 × 0.15 ) ] / 15 =11.8 m s– 2
Friction on A = 0.15 × 50 = 7.5 N ;200 – 7.5 – FAB = 5 × 11.8; FAB = 1.3 × 102 N;
opposite to motion .FBA = 1.3 × 102 N; in the direction of motion.]

**5.35 A block of mass 15 kg is placed on a long trolley. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the trolley is
0.18. The trolley accelerates from rest with 0.5 m s-2 for 20 s and then moves with uniform velocity. Discuss the motion of the
block as viewed by (a) a stationary observer on the ground, (b) an observer moving with the trolley.[ 5.35 (a) Maximum
frictional force possible for opposing impending relative motion between the block and the trolley = 150 × 0.18 = 27 N, which is
more than the frictional force of 15 × 0.5 = 7.5 N needed to accelerate the box with the trolley. When the trolley moves with
uniform velocity, there is no force of friction acting on the block. (b) For the accelerated (non-inertial) observer, frictional force
is opposed by the pseudoforce of the same magnitude, keeping the box at rest relative to the observer. When the trolley moves
with uniform velocity there is no pseudo-force for the moving (inertial) observer and no friction.]

**5.36 The rear side of a truck is open and a box of 40 kg mass is placed
5 m away from the open end as shown
in Fig. The coefficient of friction between the box and the surface
below it is 0.15. On a straight road, the truck starts from rest and
accelerates with 2 m s-2. At what distance from the starting point does
the box fall off the truck? (Ignore the size of the box).[ 5.36
Acceleration of the box due to friction = μg = 0.15 × 10 = 1.5 m s–2.
But the acceleration of the truck is greater. The acceleration of the box

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
2 x5
relative to the truck is 0.5 m s-2 towards the rear end. The time taken for the box to fall off the truck =  20 s .
0.5
During this time, the truck covers a distance = ½ × 2 × 20 = 20 m. ]

**5.37 A disc revolves with a speed of 33 1/ 3 rev/min, and has a radius of 15 cm. Two coins are placed at 4 cm and 14 cm away
from the centre of the record. If the co-efficient of friction between the coins and the record is 0.15, which of the coins will
revolve with the record ?[ 5.37 For the coin to revolve with the disc, the force of friction should be enough to provide the
mv 2
necessary centripetal force, i.e  μ m g. Now v = rω, where
r
ω = 2 π/T is the angular frequency of the disc. For a given μ and ω, the condition is r ≤ μg / ω2. The condition is satisfied by
the nearer coin ( 4 cm from the centre).]

**5.38 You may have seen in a circus a motorcyclist driving in vertical loops inside a ‘deathwell’ (a hollow spherical chamber
with holes, so the spectators can watch from outside). Explain clearly why the motorcyclist does not drop down when he is at the
uppermost point, with no support from below. What is the minimum speed required at the uppermost position to perform a
vertical loop if the radius of the chamber is 25 m ?[ 5.38 At the uppermost point, N+ mg= mv2/R where N is the normal force
(downwards) on the motorcyclist by the ceiling of the chamber. The minimum possible speed at the uppermost point corresponds
to N = 0. v max  Rg  16ms 1 ]

**5.39 A 70 kg man stands in contact against the inner wall of a hollow cylindrical drum of radius 3 m rotating about its vertical
axis with 200 rev/min. The coefficient of friction between the wall and his clothing is 0.15. What is the minimum rotational
speed of the cylinder to enable the man to remain stuck to the wall (without falling) when the floor is suddenly removed ?[ 5.39
The horizontal force N by the wall on the man provides the needed centripetal force : N= m R ω2. The frictional force f
(vertically upwards) opposes the weight mg. The man
remains stuck to the wall after the floor is removed if mg = f < μ N i.e. mg < μ m R ω2. The
minimum angular speed of rotation of the cylinder is ωmin = g /  R = 5 s–1]

**5.40 A thin circular loop of radius R rotates about its vertical diameter with an angular frequency . Show that a small bead
g
on the wire loop remains at its lowermost point for   . What is the angle made by the radius vector joining the centre to
R
2g
the bead with the vertical downward direction for   ? Neglect friction.
R
[ 5.40 Consider the free-body diagram of the bead when the radius vector joining the centre of the wire makes an angle θ with
the vertical downward direction. We have mg = N cos θ and m R sin θ ω2 = N sin θ. These equations give cos θ = g/Rω2. Since
g 2g
cos θ ≤ 1, the bead remains at its lowermost point for   . For  
R R
cos θ=1/2 i.e. θ =600]

SUMMARY
1. Aristotle’s view that a force is necessary to keep a body in uniform motion is wrong. A force is necessary in
practice to counter the opposing force of friction.

2. Galileo extrapolated simple observations on motion of bodies on inclined planes, and arrived at the law of inertia. Newton’s
first law of motion is the same law rephrased thus: “Everybody continues to be in its state of rest or of uniform motion in a
straight line, unless compelled by some external force to act otherwise”. In simple terms, the First Law is “If external force on
a body is zero, its acceleration is zero”.

3. Momentum (p ) of a body is the product of its mass (m) and velocity (v) : p = m v

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
4. Newton’s second law of motion : The rate of change of momentum of a body is proportional to the applied force and takes
place in the direction in which the force acts. Thus d
d
kkm
t
==
p
Fa
where F is the net external force on the body and a its acceleration. We set the constant
of proportionality k = 1 in S.I. Then
d
d
m
t
==
p
Fa
The SI unit of force is newton : 1 N = 1 kg m s-2.
(a) The second law is consistent with the First Law (F = 0 implies a = 0)
(b) It is a vector equation
(c) It is applicable to a particle, and also to a body or a system of particles, provided F is the total external force on the system
and a is the acceleration of the system as a whole.
(d) F at a point at a certain instant determines a at the same point at that instant. That is the Second Law is a local law; a at an
instant does not depend on the history of motion.

5. Impulse is the product of force and time which equals change in momentum. The notion of impulse is useful when a large
force acts for a short time to produce a measurable change in momentum. Since the time of action of the force is very short, one
can assume that there is no appreciable change in the position of the body during the action of the impulsive force.

6. Newton’s third law of motion: To every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction In simple terms, the law can be
stated thus : Forces in nature always occur between pairs of bodies. Force on a body A by body B is equal and opposite to the
force on the body B by A. Action and reaction forces are simultaneous forces. There is no cause-effect relation between action
and reaction. Any of the two mutual forces can be called action and the other reaction. Action and reaction act on different bodies
and so they cannot be cancelled out. The internal action and reaction forces between different parts of a body do, however, sum
to zero.

7. Law of Conservation of Momentum The total momentum of an isolated system of particles is conserved. The law
follows from the second and third law of motion.

8. Friction Frictional force opposes (impending or actual) relative motion between two surfaces in contact. It is the component of
the contact force along the common tangent to the surface in contact. Static friction fs opposes impending relative motion;
kinetic friction fk opposes actual relative motion. They are independent of the area of contact and satisfy the following
approximate laws :
( )max
fs≤ fs =μsR
kk
f = μR
μs (co-efficient of static friction) and μk (co-efficient of kinetic friction) are constants characteristic of the pair of surfaces in
contact. It is found experimentally that μk is less than μs .

POINTS TO PONDER

1. Force is not always in the direction of motion. Depending on the situation, F may be along v, opposite to v, normal to v or
may make some other angle with v. In every case, it is parallel to acceleration.

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SARASWAT PHYSICS CLASSES LAWS OF MOTION
2. If v = 0 at an instant, i.e. if a body is momentarily at rest, it does not mean that force or acceleration are necessarily zero at that
instant. For example, when a ball thrown upward reaches its maximum height, v = 0 but the force continues to be its weight mg
and the acceleration is not zero but g.

3. Force on a body at a given time is determined by the situation at the location of the body at that time. Force is not ‘carried’ by
the body from its earlier history of motion. The moment after a stone is released out of an accelerated train, there is no horizontal
force (or acceleration) on the stone, if the effects of the surrounding air are neglected. The stone then has only the vertical force
of gravity.

4. In the second law of motion F = m a, F stands for the net force due to all material agencies external to the body. a is the effect
of the force. ma should not be regarded as yet another force, besides F.

5. The centripetal force should not be regarded as yet another kind of force. It is simply a name given to the force that provides
inward radial acceleration to a body in circular motion. We should always look for some material force like tension, gravitational
force, electrical force, friction, etc as the centripetal force in any circular motion.

6. Static friction is a self-adjusting force up to its limit μs N (fs ≤ μs N). Do not put fs= μs N without being sure that the
maximum value of static friction is coming into play.

7. The familiar equation mg = R for a body on a table is true only if the body is in equilibrium. The two forces mg and R can be
different (e.g. a body in an accelerated lift). The equality of mg and R has no connection with the third
law.
8. The terms ‘action’ and ‘reaction’ in the third Law of Motion simply stand for simultaneous mutual forces between a pair of
bodies. Unlike their meaning in ordinary language, action does not precede or cause reaction. Action and reaction act on different
bodies.

9. The different terms like ‘friction’, ‘normal reaction’ ‘tension’, ‘air resistance’, ‘viscous drag’, ‘thrust’, ‘buoyancy’ ‘weight’
‘centripetal force’ all stand for ‘force’ in different contexts. For clarity, every force and its equivalent terms
encountered in mechanics should be reduced to the phrase ‘force on A by B’.

10. For applying the second law of motion, there is no conceptual distinction between inanimate and animate objects. An
animate object such as a human also requires an external force to accelerate. For example, without the external
force of friction, we cannot walk on the ground.

11. The objective concept of force in physics should not be confused with the subjective concept of the ‘feeling of force’. On a
merry-go-around, all parts of our body are subject to an inward force, but we have a feeling of being pushed outward – the
direction of impending motion.

pg. 22 ; B-11A, East Baldev Park,Delhi-51. C-62,Surajmal Vihar,Delhi-92. Ph:9958238591:9868230682;22163088

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