6 Newton Law and Problems

Physics 111: Lecture 5
Todays Agenda
More discussion of dynamics
Recap
The Free Body Diagram
The tools we have for making & solving problems:

Ropes & Pulleys (tension)
Hookes Law (springs)
Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 1

Review: Newton's Laws
Law 1: An object subject to no external forces is at rest or

moves with a constant velocity if viewed from an
inertial reference frame.
Law 2: For any object, FNET = ma
Where FNET = F
Law 3: Forces occur in action-reaction pairs, FA ,B = - FB ,A.
Where FA ,B is the force acting on object A due to its

interaction with object B and vice-versa.

Gravity:
What is the force of gravity exerted by the earth on a typical

physics student?
Typical student mass m = 55kg

g = 9.81 m/s2.
Fg = mg = (55 kg)x(9.81 m/s2 )
Fg = 540 N = WEIGHT
FS,E = Fg = mg
FE,S = -mg

Lecture 5, Act 1
Mass vs. Weight
An astronaut on Earth kicks a bowling ball and hurts his foot.
A year later, the same astronaut kicks a bowling ball on the
moon with the same force.
Ouch!
His foot hurts...
(a) more
(b) less
(c) the same

Lecture 5, Act 1
Solution
The masses of both the bowling
ball and the astronaut remain the
same, so his foot will feel the same
resistance and hurt the same as Ouch!
before.

Lecture 5, Act 1
Solution
Wow!
However the weights of the
bowling ball and the astronaut are Thats light.
less:
W = mgMoon gMoon < gEarth
Thus it would be easier for the

astronaut to pick up the bowling
ball on the Moon than on the
Earth.

Newtons 2nd Law says that for an object F = ma.
Key phrase here is for an object.
So before we can apply F = ma to any given object we

isolate the forces acting on this object:

The Free Body Diagram...
Consider the following case

What are the forces acting on the plank ?
P = plank
F = floor FP,W
W = wall
FW,P
E = earth
FP,F FP,E
FF,P
FE,P

Consider the following case

What are the forces acting on the plank ?
Isolate the plank from

the rest of the world. FP,W
FW,P
FP,F FP,E
FF,P
FE,P

The forces acting on the plank should reveal themselves...
FP,W
FP,F FP,E

Aside...
In this example the plank is not moving...

It is certainly not accelerating!
So FNET = ma becomes FNET = 0
FP,W
FP,W + FP,F + FP,E = 0
FP,F FP,E
This is the basic idea behind statics, which we will

discuss in a few weeks.

Example
Example dynamics problem:
A box of mass m = 2 kg slides on a horizontal frictionless

floor. A force Fx = 10 N pushes on it in the x direction.
What is the acceleration of the box?
y
F = Fx i a =?
m x

Example...
Draw a picture showing all of the forces
y
FB,F
F
x
FB,E
FF,B
FE,B

Example...
Draw a picture showing all of the forces.
Isolate the forces acting on the block.
y
FB,F
F
x
FF,B FB,E =
mg
FE,B

Example...
Draw a free body diagram.
FB,F x
F
mg

Example...
Draw a free body diagram.
Solve Newtons equations for each component.
FX = maX y
FB,F - mg = maY
x
FB,F
F
mg

Example...
FX = maX
So aX = FX / m = (10 N)/(2 kg) = 5 m/s2.
FB,F - mg = maY
But aY = 0 N y
FX
So FB,F = mg.
x
mg
The vertical component of the force
of the floor on the object (FB,F ) is
often called the Normal Force (N).
Since aY = 0 , N = mg in this case.

Example Recap
N = mg
FX y
a X = FX / m
x
mg

Lecture 5, Act 2
Normal Force
A block of mass m rests on the floor of an elevator that is
accelerating upward. What is the relationship between
the force due to gravity and the normal force on the block?
(a) N > mg
(b) N = mg a
(c) N < mg

Lecture 5, Act 2
Solution
All forces are acting in the y direction,
so use:
N
Ftotal = ma
m a
N - mg = ma
mg
N = ma + mg
therefore N > mg

Tools: Ropes & Strings
Can be used to pull from a distance.

Tension (T) at a certain position in a rope is the magnitude
of the force acting across a cross-section of the rope at that
position.
The force you would feel if you cut the rope and
grabbed the ends.
An action-reaction pair.
T
cut
T
T

Tools: Ropes & Strings...
Consider a horizontal segment of rope having mass m:

Draw a free-body diagram (ignore gravity).
T1 T2
a x
Using Newtons 2nd law (in x direction):

FNET = T2 - T1 = ma
So if m = 0 (i.e. the rope is light) then T1 = T2

2 skateboards
An ideal (massless) rope has constant tension along the
rope.
T T
If a rope has mass, the tension can vary along the rope
For example, a heavy rope
hanging from the ceiling...
T = Tg
T=0
We will deal mostly with ideal massless ropes.

The direction of the force provided by a rope is along the

direction of the rope:
T
Since ay = 0 (box not moving),
m T = mg
mg

Lecture 5, Act 3
Force and acceleration
A fish is being yanked upward out of the water using a fishing
line that breaks when the tension reaches 180 N. The string
snaps when the acceleration of the fish is observed to be is
12.2 m/s2. What is the mass of the fish?
snap ! (a) 14.8 kg

(b) 18.4 kg
(c) 8.2 kg
a = 12.2 m/s2
m=?

Lecture 5, Act 3
Solution: T
Draw a Free Body Diagram!!
Use Newtons 2nd law

in the upward direction: a = 12.2 m/s2
m=?
FTOT = ma
T - mg = ma
T = ma + mg = m(g+a) mg
T 180 N
m m 8.2 kg
g a 9.8 12.2 m s 2

Tools: Pegs & Pulleys
Used to change the direction of forces
An ideal massless pulley or ideal smooth peg will

change the direction of an applied force without altering
the magnitude:
F1
ideal peg | F1 | = | F2 |
or pulley
F2

Tools: Pegs & Pulleys
Used to change the direction of forces
An ideal massless pulley or ideal smooth peg will

change the direction of an applied force without altering
the magnitude:
FW,S = mg T
m T = mg
mg
Springs
Hookes Law: The force exerted by a spring is proportional

to the distance the spring is stretched or compressed from
its relaxed position.
FX = -k x Where x is the displacement from the

relaxed position and k is the constant
of proportionality.
relaxed position
FX = 0
x

Springs...


relaxed position and k is the
constant of proportionality.
relaxed position
FX = -kx > 0
x
x0

Springs... Horizontal
springs

relaxed position and k is the
constant of proportionality.
relaxed position
FX = - kx < 0
x
x>0

Scales:
Spring/string
Springs can be calibrated to tell us the applied force.

We can calibrate scales to read Newtons, or...
Fishing scales usually read
weight in kg or lbs.
1 lb = 4.45 N 0
2
4
6
8

Scale
Lecture 5, Act 4 on a
Force and acceleration skate
A block weighing 4 lbs is hung from a rope attached to a
scale. The scale is then attached to a wall and reads 4 lbs.
What will the scale read when it is instead attached to
another block weighing 4 lbs?
m m m
(1) (2)
(a) 0 lbs. (b) 4 lbs. (c) 8 lbs.

Lecture 5, Act 4
Solution:
Draw a Free Body Diagram of one
of the blocks!! T
Use Newtons 2nd Law
in the y direction:
m T = mg
a = 0 since the blocks are
stationary
mg
FTOT = 0
T - mg = 0
T = mg = 4 lbs.

Lecture 5, Act 4
Solution:
The scale reads the tension in the rope, which is T = 4 lbs in
both cases!
T T T T
T T T
m m m

Problem: Accelerometer
A weight of mass m is hung from the ceiling of a car with a

massless string. The car travels on a horizontal road, and
has an acceleration a in the x direction. The string makes
an angle with respect to the vertical (y) axis. Solve for
in terms of a and g.
a

i

Accelerometer...
Draw a free body diagram for the mass:

What are all of the forces acting?
T (string tension)

i
mg (gravitational force)

Accelerometer...
Using components (recommended):
i: FX = TX = T sin = ma
j: FY = TY - mg
= T cos - mg = 0 T j
m
ma i
mg

Accelerometer...
Using components :
i: T sin = ma
j: T cos - mg = 0
T j
Eliminate T :
m
ma i
T sin = ma tan
a
T cos = mg g
mg

Accelerometer...
Alternative solution using vectors (elegant but not as

systematic):
Find the total vector force FNET:
T T (string tension)

mg
m
FTOT

Accelerometer...
Alternative solution using vectors (elegant but not as

systematic):
Find the total vector force FNET:
Recall that FNET = ma: T (string tension)

T
mg
m
ma
ma a a
So tan tan
mg g g

a
tan Accelerometer...
g
Cart w/
Lets put in some numbers: accelerometer
Say the car goes from 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds:

60 mph = 60 x 0.45 m/s = 27 m/s.
Acceleration a = v/t = 2.7 m/s2.
So a/g = 2.7 / 9.8 = 0.28 .
= arctan (a/g) = 15.6 deg

Problem: Inclined plane
A block of mass m slides down a frictionless ramp that

makes angle with respect to the horizontal. What is its
acceleration a ?
m
a

Inclined plane...
Define convenient axes parallel and perpendicular to plane:

Acceleration a is in x direction only.
j
m
a

Inclined plane...
Incline
Consider x and y components separately:
i: mg sin = ma. a = g sin
j: N - mg cos = 0. N = mg cos
ma j
mg sin
N
mg cos i
mg

Inclined plane...
Alternative solution using vectors:
j
m
N
mg
i
a = g sin i
N = mg cos j

Angles of an Inclined plane
The triangles are similar, so the angles are the same!
ma = mg sin
N
mg


Lecture 6, Act 2
Forces and Motion
A block of mass M = 5.1 kg is supported on a frictionless
ramp by a spring having constant k = 125 N/m. When the
ramp is horizontal the equilibrium position of the mass is at
x = 0. When the angle of the ramp is changed to 30o what
is the new equilibrium position of the block x1?
(a) x1 = 20cm (b) x1 = 25cm (c) x1 = 30cm
x=0
k
M = 30o

Lecture 6, Act 2
Solution
Choose the x-axis to be along downward direction of ramp.
FBD: The total force on the block is zero since its at rest.
Consider x-direction: Force of gravity on block is Fx,g = Mg sin
Force of spring on block is Fx,s = -kx1
N
x
Fx,g = Mg sin
Mg


Lecture 6, Act 2
Solution
Since the total force in the x-direction must be 0:
g sin
Mg sin- kx1 0 x1

5.1kg 9.8 1m s 2 0.5
x1 0.2 m
125 N m

Problem: Two Blocks
Two blocks of masses m1 and m2 are placed in contact on a

horizontal frictionless surface. If a force of magnitude F is
applied to the box of mass m1, what is the force on the
block of mass m2?
F
m1 m2

Problem: Two Blocks
Realize that F = (m1+ m2) a :

F / (m1+ m2) = a
Draw FBD of block m2 and apply FNET = ma:
F2,1 = m2 a F2,1
m2
Substitute for a :
F F2,1
m2
F2,1 m2 F
m1 m2 (m1 + m2)

Problem: Tension and Angles
A box is suspended from the ceiling by two ropes making

an angle with the horizontal. What is the tension in each
rope?

Problem: Tension and Angles
Draw a FBD: T1 T2
j
T1sin T2sin

T1cos T2cos i
mg
Since the box isnt going anywhere, Fx,NET = 0 and Fy,NET = 0
Fx,NET = T1cos - T2cos = 0 T1 = T2
mg
Fy,NET = T1sin + T2sin - mg = 0 T1 = T2 =
2 sin
Problem: Motion in a Circle
Tetherball
A boy ties a rock of mass m to the end of a string and twirls
it in the vertical plane. The distance from his hand to the
rock is R. The speed of the rock at the top of its trajectory is
v.
What is the tension T in the string at the top of the rocks
trajectory?
v
T

Motion in a Circle...
Draw a Free Body Diagram (pick y-direction to be down):

We will use FNET = ma (surprise)
y
First find FNET in y direction:
mg
FNET = mg +T
T

Motion in a Circle...
FNET = mg +T
v
y
Acceleration in y direction:
mg
ma = mv2 / R
T
F = ma
mg + T = mv2 / R
R
T = mv2 / R - mg

Motion in a Circle... Bucket
What is the minimum speed of the mass at the top of the

trajectory such that the string does not go limp?
i.e. find v such that T = 0. v
mv2 / R = mg + T
mg
T= 0
v2 / R = g
v Rg
R
Notice that this does

not depend on m.

Lecture 6, Act 3 Track
Motion in a Circle w/ bump
A skier of mass m goes over a mogul having a radius of
curvature R. How fast can she go without leaving the
ground?
v
mg N
(a) v = mRg (b) v = Rg (c) v = Rg

m

Lecture 6, Act 3
Solution
mv2 / R = mg - N
For N = 0:
v Rg v
mg N

Recap of Todays lecture:
The tools we have for making & solving problems:
Ropes & Pulleys (tension)
Hookes Law (springs)
Accelerometer
Inclined plane
Motion in a circle

6 Newton Law and Problems

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

6 Newton Law and Problems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Physics 111: Lecture 5

More discussion of dynamics

The Free Body Diagram

The tools we have for making & solving problems:

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 1

Law 1: An object subject to no external forces is at rest or

Law 2: For any object, FNET = ma

Law 3: Forces occur in action-reaction pairs, FA ,B = - FB ,A.

Where FA ,B is the force acting on object A due to its

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 2

What is the force of gravity exerted by the earth on a typical

Typical student mass m = 55kg

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 3

(c) the same

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 4

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 5

W = mgMoon gMoon < gEarth

Thus it would be easier for the

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 6

Newtons 2nd Law says that for an object F = ma.

Key phrase here is for an object.

So before we can apply F = ma to any given object we

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 7

Consider the following case

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 8

Consider the following case

Isolate the plank from

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 9

The forces acting on the plank should reveal themselves...

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 10

In this example the plank is not moving...

FP,W + FP,F + FP,E = 0

This is the basic idea behind statics, which we will

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 11

Example dynamics problem:

A box of mass m = 2 kg slides on a horizontal frictionless

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 12

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 13

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 14

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 15

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 16

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 17

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 18

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 19

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 20

Can be used to pull from a distance.

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 21

Consider a horizontal segment of rope having mass m:

Using Newtons 2nd law (in x direction):

So if m = 0 (i.e. the rope is light) then T1 = T2

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 22

We will deal mostly with ideal massless ropes.

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 23

The direction of the force provided by a rope is along the

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 24

snap ! (a) 14.8 kg

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 25

Use Newtons 2nd law

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 26

Used to change the direction of forces

An ideal massless pulley or ideal smooth peg will

Physics 111: Lecture 5, Pg 27

Used to change the direction of forces