Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.
1
The Concept of Force and Mass
Dynamics– the study of why things move (i.e. thecauseof motion)
hat is a force?
W
● A force is a push or a pull.
● A force acts on an object.
● A force requires anagent(something that causes theforce to be
exerted on the object).
There must be an interaction between two objects or between an object and its environment.
→
● A force is avector. The general symbol for a force is the vector symbol𝐹. The size or strength of
a force is its magnitudeF.
● Contact forceare forces that act on object by touchingit at a point of contact.
e.g. ball kicked by football player
● Long-range force(oraction-at-a-distance force)thedoesn’t require any physical contact.
e.g. gravitational pull on a mug free falling
Types of Forces
→ →
Normal force(𝐹 o r𝑁
) occurs when an object rests or pushes on a surface, the
𝑁
surface exerts a push on it that is directed perpendicular (normal) to the surface.
→ →
Frictional force(𝐹 o r𝑓
) also occurs from a surface but is directed parallel to the
𝑓
surface. This force often (though not always) acts to resist sliding of an object on a
surface.
→ →
Tension force(𝐹 or𝑇) occurs in a rope or cord that is attached to an object and
𝑇
pulled.
→
Spring force(𝐹 ) is a contact force of pushing and pulling in a spring or elastic.
𝑠
→ →
Weight(𝐹 o r𝑊
) is a force due to gravity on an object (the gravitational attraction
𝑔
that earth or some other astronomical body exerts on an object.) The gravitational
pull acts even when the two objects are not in contact.
→ → →
Drag(𝐹
or𝐷or𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑟) is a resistive force (ex. air resistance) that opposes or resists
𝐷
the motion. Objects that move through fluids – gases and liquids experience drag.
→
Thrust(𝐹
) is force from jet airplanes, etc to propel it forward during takeoff.
𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡
→ →
Electric and Magnetic Forces(𝐹 and𝐹 ) are long-range forces (like gravity) that
𝐸 𝑚
we will see later on when we study electricity and magnetism.
easuring Force
M
Force is a vector quantity; to describe force we need both a magnitude and a direction in which
it acts.
The SI unit of the magnitude of force is theNewton,abbreviated N.
1 N = 1 kg·m/s2
In the United States, many Supermarkets are calibrated in pounds (lbs).
1 lb = 4.45 N or 1 N = 0.225 lb
1 kg = 2.20 lb or 1 lb = 0.454 kg = 454 g
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.2
esultant of Forces
R
When more than one force acts on an object, the motion of the object is determined by thenet force
acting on the object.
henetorresultant forceis the vector sum of twoor more forces acting on
T
an object.
→ → → → →
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = Σ𝐹 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 +...
hen two or more forces act on the same point at the same time they are calledconcurrent forces.
W
Several concurrent forces can be combined into a single resultant than has the same effect.
Any force can be replaced by its components, acting at the same point.
→ → →
𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦
onceptual Example #1
C
The net force on an object points to the left. Two of the three forces are shown.
Which is the missing the force?
(A) (B) (C) (D)
I ntroduction to Newton’s Laws:
In 1687, Isaac Newton published one of the greatest scientific works of all time, his
Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica(orPrincipiafor short). In this
work, Newton stated three laws of motion that form the basis of classical mechanics.
ewton’s First Law of Motion (Law of Inertia / Galileo’sLaw)
N
An object remains at rest, or maintains a constant velocity (constant speed in a
straight line), unless a net force acts upon it.
or
ewton’s first law defines two physical quantities calledinertiaandforce. Inertiais the tendencyof a
N
body to stay in the state of rest or the state of constant velocity. Force is that which changes or tries to
change the state of rest or the state of constant velocity.
onceptual Example #2
C
The figure shows a hollow tube forming three-quarters of a circle. It is lying flat
on a table. A ball is shot through the tube at a high speed. As the ball emerges
from the other end, does it follow path A, path B, or path C? Explain.
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.3
quilibrium
E
When the net force acting on an object is zero, the object is said to be intranslational equilibrium.
quilibrium is a state of a body in which there is no change in motion. There are two types of
E
equilibrium:
1. Static Equilibrium → at rest
2. Dynamic Equilibrium → at constant velocity (constant speed in a straight line)
For an object in mechanical equilibrium,
→
Σ𝐹 = 0(equilibrium under zero resultant force)
This also means, that each component is zero. So,
(object in equilibrium)
xample #1:
E
Consider a 1000 N traffic light suspended by cords shown in the sketch.
Determine the tensions in each of the three cords.
Ans.T1 = 1000 N,T2 = 799 N,T3 = 602 N
I nertial Frames of Reference:
An inertial frame of reference is one in which Newton’s law of inertia is valid.
→
Accelerating reference frames are not inertial reference frames. If𝑎 = 0(an
→
object is at rest or moving at constant velocity), then𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0.
ewton’s Second Law of Motion(Law of Acceleration)
N
A net unbalanced for gives rise to an acceleration. A body’s acceleration is
directly proportional to the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass.
or
AP formula sheet states:
→
→
→ ∑𝐹 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡
𝑎 = 𝑚
= 𝑚
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.4
ewton’s Third Law of Motion(Law of Action/Reaction)
N
Every action force has an equal and opposite reaction force. If object A exerts a force, FAB, on B; then
object B exerts an equal an opposite force, FBA, onA.
onceptual Example #2:
C
An apple sits in equilibrium on a table. What forces act on the apple? What is the reaction force to
each of the forces acting on it? What are the action-reaction pairs?
ass and Weight:
M
The terms mass and weight are often misused and interchanged in everyday conversation.
ass(m
M ) is the quantity of matter in an object; It is measured in kilograms (SI units). It is an intrinsic
property of matter; its value is unique and always the same.
eight(Fg ) is the force exerted on an object by thegravitational pull of the earth or some other
W
astronomical body; It is measured in Newtons (SI units). Weight is not a property of the object, and
thus weight does not have a unique value.
The relationship between mass and weight is given by: 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔
he Gravitational Force:
T
Objects fall downward because of gravity with an acceleration of g = 9.8 m/s2. Newton
recognized that gravity is an attractive, long-range (action-at-a-distance) force between any
two objects.
The weight of an object arises because of the gravitational pull of the earth.
ewton’s Law of Universal Gravitation:
N
Every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force that is
directly proportional to the product of the masses of the particles and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between them.
For two particles with massesm1 andm2 , separatedby a distancer:
AP formula sheet states:
||𝐹→ || = 𝐺𝑚1𝑚2 whereG= 6.67×10-11 N m2/kg2
| 𝑔| 2
𝑟
(called Gravitational Constant)
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.5
ravity is always an attractive force. The force that each body exerts on
G
the other is equal in magnitude, even though the masses may be very
different. The force exertedon the Moon by the Earthis the same
magnitude as the force exerted on the Earth by the Moon. The directions
are opposite.
xample #2:
E
The mass of the Hubble Space Telescope is 11,600 kg. Determine the weight of
the telescope (a) when it was resting on the earth and (b) as it is in its orbit 598
km above the earth’s surface.
Ans. (a) 1.14×105 N, (b) 9.50×104 N
ravitational Field Strength:
G
The relation between mass and weight can be written in two ways:
…. Thus, setting them equal to each other….
ote that this result does not contain the massm. The acceleration due to gravitygis independentof
N
the mass of the objectm. The magnitude of gisalso known as the gravitational field strength.
xample #3:
E
Determine the acceleration due to gravity on the Earth where the radius of the earth is 6380 km and the
mass of the earth is 5.98×1024 kg.
Ans. 9.80 N/kg or 9.80 m/s2
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.6
roblem-Solving Steps
P
(1) Draw a simple, neat diagram of the system
(2) Pick a body
(3) Draw a free body diagram. Show allexternalforcesacting on the object. (Do not include forces
that the object exerts on its surroundings)
(4) Choose a convenient coordinate system.
(5) Write down equations. Apply either Newton’s 1st law(Σ𝐹 = 0)or
Newton’s 2nd Law (Σ𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎).
(6) Solve equations.
xample #4Weighing a fish in an elevator
E
(Objects accelerating upwards / downwards)
A person weighs a fish on a spring scale attached to the ceiling of an elevator. If the true weight of the
fish is 40 N, and the elevator accelerates or decelerates at 2 m/s2, show that the scale reads a weight
different from the true weight of the fish.
Ans. T = 40 N, TUP = 48.2 N, TDOWN = 31.8 N
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.7
xample #5 A block on a smooth incline (Inclined planes – with no friction)
E
A block slides down a smooth plane having an inclination of θ = 15°. If the block starts from rest at the
top and the length is 2 m, find (a) the acceleration of the block, (b) its speed when it reaches the bottom
of the incline, and (c) show that the above answers are independent of mass.
Ans.a= 2.54 m/s2,v= 3.19 m/s
xample #6Two Connected Objects by a pulley
E
A 10 kg hanging weight is connected by a single string over a pulley to a
5 kg block sliding on a smooth incline of angle θ = 30°. Find the acceleration of the two masses and
the tension in the string.
Ans.a= 4.9 m/s2,FT = 49 N
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.8
riction: Occurs when 2 objects are in contact witheach other.
F
There are 2 types of frictional forces:
(a) Static friction → stationary or starting friction
→ is the force that keeps an object “stuck” on a surface and prevents its
motion relative to the surface. Static friction points in the direction
necessary topreventmotion.
𝐹𝑓,𝑠 ≤ µ𝑠𝐹𝑛
(b) Kinetic friction → moving or sliding friction
→ is the force that acts as an object slides across a surface. Kinetic friction is a force that
“opposes the motion”.
𝐹𝑓,𝑘 = µ𝑘𝐹𝑛
ome important points to remember about friction:
S
● Friction acts parallel to the surface in contact and the direction opposite to the motion of the object
or net force tending to produce such a motion.
i.e. It resists motion parallel to surface
● Friction depends on the nature of materials in contact and the smoothness of their surfaces.
● Kinetic friction is less than or equal to static friction.
(since less force is needed to start it sliding)
● Friction is independent of the area of contact.
● Kinetic friction is directly proportional to the force pressing the surfaces together. i.e.𝐹𝑓 ∝ 𝐹𝑁
Coefficient of Friction: μs or μk
In general, or and
I n general, the coefficient of static friction is greater than the
coefficient of kinetic friction.
||𝐹→ ||
| |
AP formula sheet states: 𝐹⃑𝑓 ≤μ
| 𝑛|
ome Key Terms:
S
Mass(m ) – measure of inertia in an object. Measuredin kilograms.
Inertia– the tendency of a body to remain in thesame state of
motion.
Weight(F g ) – the gravitational force that acts downwardon an
object. Measured in Newton (unit of force).
Tension force(F T) – force that acts on a string orchain or tendon is the applied force tending to stretch
it. The magnitude of the tensile force is called the tension.
Friction force(F F ) – force that acts parallel andopposite to the direction of motion or of impending
motion. Only when the applied force exceeds the maximum static force will an object begin to slide.
Normal force(F N ) – the support force acting on objectfrom surface. It acts perpendicular to the
surface.
Free Body Diagrams: Draw free body diagrams for eachof the following:
(a) A block pulled to the right on a rough surface (b) A block being pulled
up a rough incline
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.9
xample #7Box pulled on level surface at an angle(Friction on a horizontal surface)
E
A box weighing 450 N is pulled along a level floor at a constant speed by a rope that makes an angle of
30º with the floor. If the force on the rope is 260N, (a) What is the horizontal component of this force?
(b) What is the normal force? (c) What is the coefficient of friction?
Ans. (a)Fx = 225 N; (b)FN = 320 N; (c) μk = 0.703
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.10
xample #8A crate on a incline with friction
E
(Friction on an inclined plane)
A wooden crate weighing 130 N rests on an inclined plane as shown.
The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.620 between the block and the
plane. Find the angle of the inclined plane at which the block will slide
down the plane at constant speed once it has started moving.
Ans. θ = 31.8º
xample #9:
E
A block of mass 3.2 kg lying on an inclined plane is connected to a rock of mass 3.2 kg by a very
light cord passing over a pulley, as shown in the diagram. Determine the acceleration of the block,
given a coefficient of friction of 0.15 and an angle of elevation for the ramp of 25˚. (Consider the
mass and friction of the pulley to be negligible.)
Ans. a = 2.2 m/s2
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.11
xample #10: Atwood’s machine
E
In terms of m1 and m2 with m1 > m2 and assuming thepulley to be frictionless and
massless, determine the expression for the acceleration of the masses?
Ans.
xample #11
E
The two blocks shown below have equal masses. The coefficients of static and dynamic friction are
equal, 0.30 for both blocks. If the system is given an initial speed of 0.90 m/s to the left, how far will it
move before coming to a rest.
Ans. x= 0.583 m
Accelerated Physics Forces & Newton’s Laws of Motion Notes Pg.12
xample #12
E
A block of mass m = 1.2 kg is placed in contact with a vertical wall. The value of µs between the
surfaces is 0.45. Determine the horizontal push F required to prevent the block from sliding down.
Ans.Fpush = 26. 1 N
xample #13
E
Two blocks are kept in contact on a horizontal frictionless surface and pushed by a horizontal force of
84 N. The larger block has a mass of 20 kg while the smaller mass is 1 kg. Assume they are resting on
a frictionless table. Determine the magnitude of the contact force between the two blocks in each case.
Ans. FA,B = 4 N
xample #14
E
Show that the relation between Force, mass, acceleration and the coefficient of kinetic friction is:
Ans.
