Chapter 3 Newton’s Law of Motion

3.1 The Important Stuff

3.1.1 Newton’s First Law
With Newton’s Laws we begin the study of how motion occurs in the real
world. The study of the causes of motion is called dynamics, or mechanics.
The relation between force and acceleration was given by Isaac Newton in his
three laws of motion, which form the basis of elementary physics. Though
Newton’s formulation of physics had to be replaced later on to deal with
motion at speeds comparable to the speed light and for motion on the scale
of atoms, it is applicable to everyday situations and is still the best introduction
to the fundamental laws of nature. The study of Newton’s laws and their
implications is often called Newtonian or classical mechanics.
Particles accelerate because they are being acted on by forces. In the
absence of forces, a particle will not accelerate, that is, it will move at constant
velocity.
The user–friendly way of stating Newton’s First Law is:
Law I ; “Consider a body on which no external force is acting or total
external force is zero. Then if it is at rest it will remain at rest, and if it is moving
with constant velocity it will continue to move at that velocity.”

Rest
So =0
Constant Velocity

Forces serve to change the velocity of an object, not to maintain its motion
(contrary to the ideas of philosophers in ancient times).
3.1.2 Newton’s Second Law
Law II ; “Consider a body on which total external force is not zero. Then the
net force (F) acting on a mass (m) making acceleration (a)” It says:

=
The units of force must be kg m/s , which is abbreviated 1 newton (N), to
honor IsaacNewton (1642–1727), famous physicist and smart person. Thus:
1 N = 1 kg m/s
 Two other units of force which we encounter sometimes are:
1 dyne = 1 g cm/s = 10 N
and 1 pound = 1 lb = 4.45 N

3.1.3 Newton’s Third Law

Law III : To every action there is always opposed an equal reaction: or, the
mutual action of two bodies upon each other are always equal, and directed
to contrary parts.
Consider two objects A and B. The force which object A exerts on object B
is equal and opposite to the force which object B exerts on object A:
FAB BA. Two these forces are internal force.

This law is popularly stated as the “law of action and reaction”, but in fact
it deals with the forces between two objects.

3.1.4 Examples of Forces

To begin our study of dynamics we consider problems involving simple
objects in simple situations. Our first problems will involve little more than
small masses, hard, smooth surfaces and ideal strings, or objects that can be
treated as such.
Weight
For all masses near the earth’s surface, the earth exerts a downward
gravitational force which is known as the weight of the mass and has a
magnitude given by
W = mg
 Normal Force
A solid surface will exert forces on a mass which is in contact with it. In
general the force from the surface will have a perpendicular (normal)
component which we call the normal force (N) of the surface. The surface can
also exert a force which is parallel; this is a friction force.

Example Find magnitude of Normal Force in figure below:

Tension
A taught string (a string “under tension”) exerts forces on the objects which
are attached to either end. The forces are directed inward along the length of
the string.) In our first problems we will make the approximation that the string
has no mass, and when it passes over any pulley, the pulley’s mass can also
be ignored. In that case, the magnitude of the string’s force on either end is
the same and will usually be called T, the string’s tension.

Friction Forces
Forces which are known collectively as “friction forces” are all around us in
daily life. In elementary physics we discuss the friction force as it occurs
between two objects whose surfaces are in contact and which slide against
one another.
 If in such a situation, a body is not moving while an applied force F acts on
it, then static friction forces are opposing the applied force, resulting in zero net
force. Empirically, one finds that this force can have a maximum value given
by:
f = N

Where µs is the coefficient of static friction for the two surfaces and N is the
normal (perpendicular) force between the two surfaces.
If one object is in motion relative to the other one (i.e. it is sliding on the
surface) then there is a force of kinetic friction between the two objects. The
direction of this force is such as to oppose the sliding motion and its
magnitude is given by:
f = N

Where again N is the normal force between the two objects and µk is the
coefficient of kinetic friction for the two surfaces.

The Gravitational Force

Newton’s law of universal gravitation states that every

particle 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.
If the particles have masses m1 and m2 and are separated
by a distance r, as in Figure, the magnitude of the gravitational
force Fg is
m1m2
Fg G 1
r2
2
where G 6.67 10 11
N m is the universal gravitation constant.
kg 2
Weight
The magnitude of the gravitational force acting on an object of mass m is called the weight w of
the object, given by
w mg
where g is the acceleration of gravity. SI unit: newton (N)

From Equation (1) , an alternate definition of the weight of an object with mass m can be written
M gm
as w G 2
r2
where ME is the mass of Earth and r is the distance from the object to Earth’s center. If the object
is at rest on Earth’s surface, then r is equal to Earth’s radius RE. Because r2 is in the denominator of
Equation (2), the weight decreases with increasing r. So the weight of an object on a mountaintop
is less than the weight of the same object at sea level.
Comparing Equations (1) and (2), it follows that
ME
g G
r2
Unlike mass, weight is not an inherent property of an object because it can take different
values, depending on the value of g in a given location. If an object has a mass of 70.0 kg, for
example, then its weight at a location where g = 9.80 m/s2 is mg = 686 N. In a high altitude
balloon, where g might be 9.76 m/s2, the object’s weight would be 683 N. In this class, unless
stated otherwise, the value of g will be understood to be 9.80 m/s2, its value near the surface of
the Earth. (gSun = 274 m/s2 and gMoon = 1.62 m/s2)

3.1.5 Applying Newton’s Laws

In this chapter we will look at some applications of Newton’s law to simple
systems involving small blocks, surfaces and strings. (In the next chapter we’ll
deal with more complicated examples.)
A useful practice for problems involving more than one force is to draw a
diagram showing the individual masses in the problem along with the vectors
showing the directions and magnitudes of the individual forces. It is so
important to do this that these diagrams are given a special name, free–body
diagrams.
 3.2 Worked Examples
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. A horizontal force of 95.0 N is applied to a 60.0 kg crate on a rough, level surface. If the crate
accelerates at 1.20 m/s2, what is the magnitude of the force of kinetic friction acting on the crate?
(a) 23.0 N (b) 45.0 N (c) 16.0 N (d) 33.0 N (e) 8.80 N

2. As a block slides down a frictionless incline, which of the following statements is true?
(a) Both its speed and acceleration increase.
(b) Its speed and acceleration remain constant.
(c) Its speed increases and its acceleration remain constant.
(d) Both its speed and acceleration decrease.
(e) Its speed increases and its acceleration decreases.

3. If Earth’s mass and radius both suddenly doubled, what would be the new value of the
acceleration of gravity near Earth’s surface?
(a) 9.80 m/s2 (b) 4.90 m/s2 (c) 2.45 m/s2 (d) 19.6 m/s2 (e) 12.6 m/s2

4. If a constant nonzero net external force acts on an object during a given period, which of the
following statements must be true during that time?
………. (a) The object moves.
………. (b) The magnitude of the object’s velocity increases.
………. (c) The acceleration of the object is increasing.
………. (d) The object accelerates.
………. (e) The object’s speed remains constant.

5. Two monkeys of equal mass are holding onto a single vine of negligible mass that hangs
vertically from a tree, with one monkey a few meters higher than the other. What is the ratio of
the tension in the vine above the upper monkey to the tension in the vine between the two
monkeys?
(a) 12 (b) 1 (c) 1.5 (d) 2 (e) More information is required.

6. If an object of mass m moves with constant velocity v, the net force on the object is
(a) mg (b) mv (c) mv/t (d) 0 (e) None of these answers is correct.
7. A crate remains stationary after it has been placed on a ramp inclined at an angle with the
horizontal. Which of the following statements must be true about the magnitude of the frictional
force that acts on the crate?
………. (a) It is larger than the weight of the crate.
………. (b) It is at least equal to the weight of the crate.
………. (c) It is equal to msn.
………. (d) It is greater than the component of the gravitational force acting down the ramp.
………. (e) It is equal to the component of the gravitational force acting down the ramp.

8. Four forces act on an object, given by A = 540 N east, B = 550 N north, C = 570 N west, and
D = 590 N south. What is the magnitude of the net force on the object?
(a) 50 N (b) 70 N (c) 131 N (d) 170 N (e) 250 N

9. If an object is in equilibrium, which of the following statements is not true?

………. (a) The speed of the object remains constant.
………. (b) The acceleration of the object is zero.
………. (c) The net force acting on the object is zero.
………. (d) The object must be at rest. (e) The velocity is constant.

10. A manager of a restaurant pushes horizontally with a force of magnitude 150 N on a box of
melons. The box moves across the floor with a constant acceleration in the same direction as the
applied force. Which statement is most accurate concerning the magnitude of the force of kinetic
friction acting on the box?
(a) It is greater than 150 N. (b) It is less than 150 N.
(c) It is equal to 150 N. (d) The kinetic friction force is steadily decreasing.
(e) The kinetic friction force must be zero.

11. A truck loaded with sand accelerates along a highway. The driving force on the truck remains
constant. What happens to the acceleration of the truck as its trailer leaks sand at a constant rate
through a hole in its bottom?
(a) It decreases at a steady rate.
(b) It increases at a steady rate.
(c) It increases and then decreases.
(d) It decreases and then increases.
(e) It remains constant.
12. A large crate of mass m is placed on the back of a truck but not tied down. As the truck
accelerates forward with an acceleration a, the crate remains at rest relative to the truck. What
force causes the crate to accelerate forward?
(a) the normal force (b) the force of gravity
(c) the force of friction between the crate and the floor of the truck
(d) the “ma” force (e) none of these

13. Which of the following statements are true?

………. (a) An astronaut’s weight is the same on the Moon as on Earth.
………. (b) An astronaut’s mass is the same on the International Space Station as it is on Earth.
………. (c) Earth’s gravity has no effect on astronauts inside the International Space Station.
………. (d) An astronaut’s mass is greater on Earth than on the Moon.
………. (e) None of these statements are true.

14. An object of mass m undergoes an acceleration a down a rough incline. Which of the
following forces should not appear in the free-body diagram for the object? Choose all correct
answers.
(a) the force of gravity (b) ma
(c) the normal force of the incline on the object
(d) the force of friction down the incline
(e) the force of friction up the incline (f) the force of the object on the incline
15. Which of the following statements are true?
……….. (a) An object can move even when no force acts on it.
……….. (b) If an object isn’t moving, no external forces act on it.
……….. (c) If a single force acts on an object, the object accelerates. (d) If an object accelerates, a
force is acting on it.
……….. (e) If an object isn’t accelerating, no external force is acting on it.
……….. (f) If the net force acting on an object is in the positive x-direction, the object moves only in
the positive x-direction.
16. A 3.0 kg mass undergoes an acceleration given by a = 3 m/s2. Find the resultant force F.
(a) 1 N (b) 6 N (c) 9 N (d) 10 N (e) 30 N
 PROBLEMS
1. The heaviest invertebrate is the giant squid, which is estimated to have a weight of about 2 tons
spread out over its length of 70 feet. What is its weight in Newton?

2. A 6.0 kg object undergoes an acceleration of 2.0 m/s2.

(a) What is the magnitude of the resultant force acting on it?
(b) If this same force is applied to a 4.0 kg object, what acceleration is produced?

3. A bag of sugar weighs 5.00 lb on Earth. What would it weigh in newtons on the Moon, where
the free-fall acceleration is one-sixth that on Earth? Repeat for Jupiter, where g is 2.64 times that
on Earth. Find the mass of the bag of sugar in kilograms at each of the three locations.

4. A 75 kg man standing on a scale in an elevator notes that as the elevator rises, the scale reads
825 N. What is the acceleration of the elevator?
5. As a fish jumps vertically out of the water, assume that only two significant forces act on it: an
upward force F exerted by the tail fin and the downward force due to gravity. A record Chinook
salmon has a length of 1.50 m and a mass of 61.0 kg . If this fish is moving upward at 3.00 m/s as
its head first breaks the surface and has an upward speed of 6.00 m/s after two-thirds of its length
has left the surface, assume constant acceleration and determine
(a) the salmon’s acceleration.
(b) the magnitude of the force F during this interval.

6. A boat moves through the water with two forces acting on it. One is a 2000-N forward push by
the water on the propeller, and the other is an 1800 N resistive force due to the water around the
bow.
(a) What is the acceleration of the 1000 kg boat?
(b) If it starts from rest, how far will the boat move in 10.0 s?
(c) What will its velocity be at the end of that time?
 7. Two forces are applied to a car in an effort to move it,
as shown in Figure P4.12.
(a) What is the resultant of these two forces?
(b) If the car has a mass of 3000 kg, what acceleration does
it have? Ignore friction.

8. After falling from rest from a height of 30 m, a 0.50 kg ball rebounds upward, reaching a height
of 20 m. If the contact between ball and ground lasted 2.0 ms, what average force was exerted on
the ball?

4.5 Applications of Newton’s Laws

9. (a) Find the tension in each cable supporting the 600-N cat burglar in
Figure P4.17.
(b) Suppose the horizontal cable were reattached higher up on the wall.
Would the tension in the other cable increase, decrease, or stay the
same? Why?
 10. A 150-N bird feeder is supported by three cables as shown in
Figure P4.19. Find the tension in each cable.

11. Two blocks each of mass m = 3.50 kg are fastened to the top of an
elevator as in Figure P4.21.
(a) If the elevator has an upward acceleration a = 1.60 m/s2, find the
tensions T1 and T2 in the upper and lower strings.
(b) If the strings can withstand a maximum tension of 85.0 N, what
maximum acceleration can the elevator have before the upper string
breaks?

12. The distance between two telephone poles is 50.0 m. When a 1.00 kg bird lands on the
telephone wire midway between the poles, the wire sags 0.200 m. Draw a free-body diagram of
the bird. How much tension does the bird produce in the wire? Ignore the weight of the wire.
13. A 5.0 kg bucket of water is raised from a well by a rope. If the upward acceleration of the
bucket is 3.0 m/s2 find the force exerted by the rope on the bucket.

14. Two blocks of masses m and 2m are held in equilibrium on a frictionless incline as in Figure
P4.27. In terms of m and u, find
(a) the magnitude of the tension T1 in the upper cord and
(b) the magnitude of the tension T2 in the lower cord connecting the two blocks.

15. Assume the three blocks portrayed in Figure P4.29 move on a frictionless surface and a
42-N force acts as shown on the 3.0 kg block. Determine
(a) the acceleration given this system
(b) the tension in the cord connecting the 3.0 kg and the 1.0 kg blocks.
(c) the force exerted by the 1.0 kg block on the 2.0 kg block.
16. A setup similar to the one shown in Figure P4.31 is often used in hospitals to support and
apply a traction force to an injured leg.
(a) Determine the force of tension in the rope supporting the leg.
(b) What is the traction force exerted on the leg? Assume the traction force is horizontal.

17. A 276 kg glider is being pulled by a 1,950 kg airplane along a horizontal runway with an
acceleration of a = 2.20 m/s2 to the right as in Figure P4.33. Find
(a) the thrust provided by the airplane’s propellers.
(b) the magnitude of the tension in the cable connecting the airplane and glider.
18. A 1000 kg car is pulling a 300 kg trailer. Together, the car and trailer have an acceleration of
2.15 m/s2 in the positive x-direction. Neglecting frictional forces on the trailer, determine
(a) the net force on the car,
(b) the net force on the trailer,
(c) the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by the trailer on the car, and
(d) the resultant force exerted by the car on the road.

4.6 Forces of Friction

19. A dockworker loading crates on a ship finds that a 20 kg crate, initially at rest on a horizontal
surface, requires a 75-N horizontal force to set it in motion. However, after the crate is in motion, a
horizontal force of 60 N is required to keep it moving with a constant speed. Find the coefficients
of static and kinetic friction between crate and floor.
20. A 1 000-N crate is being pushed across a level floor at a constant speed by a force F
of 300 N at an angle of 20.0° below the horizontal, as shown in Figure P4.41a.
(a) What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the crate and the floor?
(b) If the 300-N force is instead pulling the block at an angle of 20.0° above the horizontal, as
shown in Figure P4.41b, what will be the acceleration of the crate? Assume that the coefficient of
friction is the same as that found in part (a).

21. Consider a large truck carrying a heavy load, such as steel beams. A significant hazard for the
driver is that the load may slide forward, crushing the cab, if the truck stops suddenly in an
accident or even in braking. Assume, for example, a 10000 kg load sits on the flatbed of a
20000 kg truck moving at 12.0 m/s. Assume the load is not tied down to the truck and has a
coefficient of static friction of 0.500 with the truck bed.
(a) Calculate the minimum stopping distance for which the load will not slide forward relative to
the truck.
(b) Is any piece of data unnecessary for the solution?
 22. Objects with masses m1 = 10.0 kg and m2 = 5.00 kg are
connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley
as in Figure P4.36. If, when the system starts from rest, m2 falls
1.00 m in 1.20 s, determine the coefficient of kinetic friction
between m1 and the table.

23. The coefficient of static friction between the 3.00 kg

crate and the 35.0° incline of Figure P4.47 is 0.300. What
minimum force F must be applied to the crate perpendicular
to the incline to prevent the crate from sliding down the
incline?

24. An object falling under the pull of gravity is acted upon by a frictional force of air resistance.
The magnitude of this force is approximately proportional to the speed of the object, which can
be written as f = bv. Assume b = 15 kg /s and m = 50 kg .
(a) What is the terminal speed the object reaches while falling?
(b) Does your answer to part (a) depend on the initial speed of the object? Explain.
25. A 3.00 kg block starts from rest at the top of a 30.0° incline and slides 2.00 m down the incline
in 1.50 s. Find
(a) the acceleration of the block,
(b) the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the incline,
(c) the frictional force acting on the block, and
(d) the speed of the block after it has slid 2.00 m.

26. To meet a U.S. Postal Service requirement, employees’ footwear must have a coefficient of
static friction of 0.500 or more on a specified tile surface. A typical athletic shoe has a coefficient
of 0.800. In an emergency, what is the minimum time interval in which a person starting from rest
can move 3.00 m on the tile surface if she is wearing
(a) footwear meeting the Postal Service minimum.
(b) a typical athletic shoe?

27. Objects with masses 3.0 kg and 5.0 kg are connected by a light string that passes over a
frictionless pulley as show in figure below. If, when the system starts from rest, mass 3.0 kg has
static coefficient 0.2 and kinetic coefficient 0.1 determine the acceleration of this system.
28. 12. A 10 kg monkey climbs up a massless rope that runs over a frictionless tree limb and back
down to a 15 kg package on the ground, as shown in Figure below. (a) What is the magnitude of
the least acceleration the monkey must have if it is to lift the package off the ground?
If, after the package has been lifted the monkey stops its climb and holds onto the rope, what
are (b) the monkey’s acceleration and (c) the tension in the rope?

29. A mass M is held in place by an applied force F and a pulley system as shown in Figure below.
The pulleys are massless and frictionless. Find (a) the tension in each section of rope, T1, T2, T3,
T4, and T5 , and (b) the magnitude of F.