Ch 5 – Laws of Motion

Introduction
Newton’s laws
Impulse
Conservation of momentum
Equilibrium of a particle
Common forces in mechanics - Friction
Circular motion - Banking
Solving problems in mechanics
Force:
Force is required to move a stationary body or to stop a moving body or to
change the direction of a moving body.

unit of force is newton (N) [ another unit is kgwt

1 kgwt = 9.8 N ]
[F] = MLT -2
Inertia :
The inherent property of a body to remain at rest if it is at rest or to continue to
move with uniform velocity if it is in motion.

Inertia of rest : When a bus suddenly starts moving, person tends to fall back.
Inertia of motion: When a bus suddenly stops, person tends to fall forward
Inertia of direction: When the bus takes a sharp turn to the right, passengers are
thrown to the left

Newton’s first law of motion ( Law of inertia):

Everybody continues to remain in its state of rest or of uniform motion along a
straight line unless it is compelled by an external force to change that state.
Momentum :
is the capacity of a body to impart velocity to another body
It is measured as the product of mass & its velocity

p = mv

Unit of p is kgms-1
D F : M L T -1

Newton’s 2 nd law: Rate of change of momentum of a body is directly

proportional to external force and it takes place in the direction of the force.

Expression for force:

Consider a body of mass m moving with a velocity v
Its momentum p = m v
Let F be the force acting on the body for a time interval dt
rate of change of momentum= dp
dt
F α dp ( 2 nd law)
dt
F = k dp k=1
dt
F = dp = d ( mv) = m dv = ma F = ma
dt dt dt
Impulsive force: force acting on a body for a short interval of time
Eg: kicking a football

Impulse: the product of the average force and the time for which it acts on a
body
j = Ft = mat = m(v-u) t = mv – mu
t

Impulse = change in momentum

Unit is kg ms-1
D F : M L T -1
Newton’s 3 rd law :
To every action , there is an equal & opposite reaction.
Action & reaction are on different bodies

Eg: A body on a table

Body exerts downward force (action)
Table exerts equal & oppo force (reaction)
Swimmer pushes water back (action) ,water pushes him forward(reaction)
Law of conservation of linear momentum:

‘The total linear momentum of an isolated system is conserved.’

( isolated system – no external force acting)

Proof:

Consider a body of mass m1 moving with a velocity u1 collide with another body
of mass m2 moving with velocity u2
Let t be the time of impact .
v1 & v2 be their velocities after collision. From Newton’s 2 nd law,
Force exerted by body 1 on 2 , F 21 = m 2 a 2 = m 2 (v 2 - u 2 )
t
Force exerted by body 2 on 1 , F 12 = m 1 a 1 = m 1 (v 1 - u 1 )
t

By Newton’s 3 rd law, F 21 = - F 12
m 2 (v 2 - u 2 ) = - m 1 (v 1 - u 1 )

t t

m2 v2 - m2 u2 = - m1 v1 + m1 u1

m1 v1 + m2 v2 = m 1 u 1 + m 2u 2

Total momentum after collision = Total momentum before collision

Egs for momentum conservation:

1. Recoil of gun m= mass of bullet

M= mass of gun
0 = mv + MV v= velocity of bullet
Recoil velocity of gun , V = - mv
M
2. Boat move backwards when a man jumps from the boat to shore
3.Rocket launching
Q: A gun of mass 3000 kg fires a shell of mass 5 kg in horizontal direction.The
gun recoils at 0.4 m/s.Calculate the velocity of the shell.

m 1 = 3000 kg
v 1 = - 0.4 m/s
m 2 = 5 kg
v2 = ?
Initially gun and shell are at rest, so total initial momentum = 0
m 1 u 1 + m 2 u2 = m1 v1+ m2 v2

0 = m1 v1 + m2 v2
 v 2 = 240 m/s

Concurrent forces:

Forces acting at the same point are called concurrent forces.

The body is said to be in equilibrium ,when there is no change in the state of

rest or state of uniform motion of a body on which the forces act.
For equilibrium, the vector sum of forces must be 0

F 1 + F 2 + F 3 + ………+ F n = 0

(i)Law of triangle of forces:If 3 coplanar forces acting at

a point can be represented by the 3 sides of a triangle
taken in order, then the 3 forces will keep the point in equilibrium

(ii)Lami ‘s theorem: If 3 forces acting at a point

keep the point in equilibrium, then each force is
directly proportional to the sine of angle b/w the
other 2 forces
F 1 ∞ sin α
F 2 ∞ sin β
F 3 ∞ sin γ
Common forces in Mechanics:

Non contact force & Contact force

Gravitational force All other forces in Mechanics

( Normal reaction, friction, Buoyancy,
viscous force, air resistance, spring force, tension )

Normal reaction: The component of the contact force normal to the surface
Friction : The component of the contact force parallel to the surfaces in
contact
Buoyancy: upward force acting on a body when immersed in a fluid
Viscous force : liquid friction
Spring force: Restoring force developed in a spring when it is stretched or
compressed
Tension: Restoring force developed in a string when it is stretched or
compressed
Friction
It is the opposing force which acts on a body which
moves or tends to move on the surface of another
body.
It opposes relative motion b/w two bodies in contact
Friction

Static friction Kinetic friction

Sliding Rolling friction

friction

Static friction (f s ): Friction b/w two bodies in contact which are at rest.
When there is no applied force, there is no friction.
As applied force increases, static friction also increases and reaches maximum
value after which the body begins to move.
The maximum static friction (limiting friction) is proportional to normal reaction
on the body
f max ∞ N
f max = µs N coefficient of static friction, µs = f max
N
 f s < µs N

Kinetic friction / sliding friction (f k ) : Friction b/w two bodies when one body
slides over the surface of another body

fk ∞ N
f k = µk N µk = coefficient of kinetic friction
µk = f k
N

µk & µs depends on the nature of surfaces in contact

If F is the applied force on a body of mass m ,acceleration of the body , a = F- f k

m
Rolling friction : friction b/w two bodies when one body rolls on the
surface of the other
Rolling friction< sliding friction < static friction
For this reason , vehicles have wheels.
Laws of friction:

1. Static friction, f s < µs N , µs = coefficient of static friction, N = normal

reaction.
The direction of f s is opposite to the direction of impending motion.
2. Kinetic friction , f k = µk N , , µk = coefficient of kinetic friction.
The direction of f k is opposite to the direction of motion.
3. f s & f k do not depend on area of contact as long as normal reaction, N is
same

Advantages of friction:

1.Friction enables us to walk on the ground.

2. Friction enables us to drive vehicles
3. Friction enables us to write on paper or board.

Disadvantages of friction:

1.Friction causes wear and tear of machine parts

2.Work done to overcome friction leads to energy loss
3. Energy spent to overcome friction appears as heat and may damage the
machine
Methods to reduce friction:

1. Polishing the surfaces

2. Lubricating the machine parts(oiling)
3. Use of ball bearings
4. Using anti-friction metals like steel to make machine parts

Q:A body of mass 2kg is placed on a horizontal surface having kinetic friction
0.4 .If the force applied on the body is 20 N, find the acceleration of the
body?

m = 2 kg
F= 20 N
µk = 0.4
fk = µk N = µk mg= 7.84 N
Net force = F- fk = 12.16 N net F = ma
a = F- fk =
m a = net F
m
 a =6.08 ms -2

Q: 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 .How long does the body take to stop?

F = - 50 N
m = 20 kg
u = 15 m/s
v=0
t=?
F= ma
a = F/m = - 2.5 ms -2

v = u + at
t=
a = - 2.5 ms -2
t=6s
Q: A body of mass 5 kg is acted upon by two perpendicular forces 8 N & 6 N
Give the magnitude & direction of the acceleration of the body?
m = 5 kg
F1= 8 N
F2 = 6 N
Ө = 90 0
F= √ F1 2 + F2 2
F= √ 8 2 + 6 2 =10 N

a = F = 2 ms -2
m
If resultant makes angle α with F1
tan α = F2 = 0.75 ( since Ө = 90 0)
F1

α=
 F = 10 N
a = 2 ms -2
tan α = 0.75
α = 36 0 52 ‘

Lift / Monkey climbing rope :

Weighing scale will show the normal reactions , which is equal to the apparent
weight

1. Moving with uniform speed , apparent wt, W’ = mg

2. Lift moving upwards with uniform acceleration, W’ = m(g+a)
3. Lift moving downwards with uniform acceleration, W’ = m(g-a)
4. Freely falling, W’ = 0

Q: 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
b) downwards with a uniform acceleration of 5ms -2
c) upwards with a uniform acceleration of 5ms -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 hurled down
freely under gravity?
a) W’ = 686 N
b) W’ = 336 N
c) W’ = 1036 N
d) W’ = 0

Q: Two bodies of masses 10 kg & 20 Kg respectively kept on a horizontal surface

are tied to the ends of a light string.A horizontal force F = 600 N is applied to
(i) A (ii)B .What is the tension in each case?

Acceleration of a system of 2 bodies , a = F =

m1 + m2

(i) F- T = m 1 a
T=

(ii) F- T = m 2 a
T=
(i)T= 400 N
(ii)T = 200 N
Q: Explain why:
(a) A horse cannot pull a cart in empty space?
For pulling a cart , the horse pushes the earth with its feet and reaction of the
earth makes it move in the forward direction. Since in empty space there is
no reaction, it cannot pull a cart ( 3rd law)

(b)Passengers are thrown forward when a speeding bus stops suddenly?

Due to inertia of motion

(c) A cricketer moves his hands backwards while catching a ball?

F= dp
dt:
To increase the time interval , so that force is reduced, and his hands wont get
hurt.( 2 nd law)

(d)It is easier to pull a lawn mower than to push it.

vertical component of pulling force is opposite to weight , which will reduce the
effective wt, = mg- F sin ө
where as vertical component of pushing force is in the same direction as the
weight of the body and the effective wt is increased.= mg+F sin ө
Circular Motion:
Centripetal force: is the force acting along the radius towards the centre of the
circular path along which the body is moving with uniform speed.
fC = ma C= mv 2 = mω 2 r
r
Eg: stone whirled in a circle, fC is tension in the string
For Satellites, fC is gravitational force
car on curved rd- friction

Centrifugal force: When a body is moving along a circular path, a force appears
to act in a direction away from the centre of the circle. Its magnitude is same as
centripetal force.( it is a pseudo force. It is due to inertia)
Motion of a car on a banked road:

When a car moves on a curved road,

the centripetal force is provided by
the frictional force b/w the road and
the tyres. It is the static friction that
opposes the tendency of the car to
move away from the circle.
The contribution of friction can be reduced if the road is banked.
Banking is raising the outer edge of the road slightly above the inner edge

Derivation of max velocity:

Consider a car of mass m moving with a speed v along a curved road of radius
of curvature r .Let ө be the angle of banking
N is the normal reaction and f is frictional force

Centripetal force is provided by the horizontal component of friction and Normal

reaction.
mv 2 = N sin ө + f cos ө .................(1)
r
Weight of the car is balanced by the vertical component of forces
mg = N cosө - f sin ө .................(2)
 f cos ө, N sin ө

Dividing (1) by (2)

v 2 = N sin ө + f cos ө
rg N cosө - f sin ө

f = µs N
v 2 = N sin ө + µs N cos ө
rg N cosө - µs N sin ө

v 2 = rg sin ө + µs cos ө
cosө - µs sin ө

Dividing all terms on RHS by cos ө, v 2 = rg tan ө + µs

1 - µs tan ө
 1
vmax = rg tan ө + µs 2

1 - µs tan ө

This is the max speed with which a car can negotiate a curved banked road.

Case 1:
If µs = 0 , vmax = √ rg tan ө At this optimum speed, frictional force is not
needed to provide centripetal force and no wear & tear of tyres.

Case 2: On a levelled circular road,

If there is no banking, ө = 0, vmax = √ µs rg , if this speed exceeds on a level
road, car will skid.

Free body diagram to solve problems in mechanics: A diagram for each body
in the assembly showing all external forces acting on it is called the free body
diagram.
Apply Newton’s 2 nd law of motion to each system separately and solve
resulting equations for unknown quantities
Q: Two masses 8 kg & 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a string that goes
over a frictionless pulley .Find the accceleration of the masses and the tension
in the string when the masses are released.

m1 =12 kg m2 = 8 kg

a= acceleration of the system

For mass m1
m1 a= m1 g - T
12 a = 12 x 9.8 - T.........(1)

For mass m2
m2 a= T- m2 g
8 a = T – 8 x 9.8 .........(2)

(1) + (2)
20 a = 12 x 9.8 – 8x9.8
= 4 x 9.8
a = 4 x 9.8
20
a = 1.96 ms -2

T = 94.08 N

Q: To what angle must a racing track of radius of curvature 600 m be banked so as to be

suitable for a maximum speed of 180 km/h?
 maximum speed v = 180 km/hr = 180 x 5/18 =
50 m/s,

Q: A circular road course track has a radius of 500 m and is banked to 10°.
If the coefficient of friction between the road and tyre is 0.25. Compute (i)
the maximum speed to avoid slipping (ii) optimum speed to avoid wear
and tear of the tyres.
Maximum speed to avoid wear and tear
A thin circular loop of radius R rotates about its vertical diameter with an angular
frequency ω. Show that a small bead on the wire loop remains at its lowermost
point for ω ≤ √g / R . What is the angle made by the radius vector joining the centre
to the bead with the vertically downward direction for ω = √2g/ R? Neglect friction.
mg = N cosθ —–(1)
mrω2 = Nsinθ —– (2)

(or) m (Rsinθ) ω2 = Nsinθ

mRω2 = N

Substituting the value of N in (1)

mg = mRω2cosθ
(or) cos θ = g/Rω2 —(3)
g/Rω2≤ 1 or ω ≤ √g/R

(ii) For ω = √2g/ R , equation (3) becomes

cos θ = g/Rω2
cos θ = (g/R) (R/2g) = ½
θ = 600
A. A hunter has a machine gun that can fire 50 g bullets with a vel
900 m/s.A 40 kg tiger springs at him with a vel of 10 m/s. How many
bullets must the hunter fire into the tiger to stop him in his track?

B.A bomb is thrown in a horizontal direction with a vel 50 m/s.it

explodes into 2 parts of masses 6 kg & 3 kg .The heavier fragment
continues to move with a vel 80 m/s.calculate the vel of lighter
fragmeny