Topic 2 Law of Motion

Prepared by Dr Vernoon Ang

Contents
• The Concept of a Force
• Newton 1st Law and Inertia
• Mass
• Newton 2nd Law
• The Gravitational Force and Weight
• Newton 3rd Law
• Force of Friction
Kinematic Equations
• 5 kinematic variables:
• Displacement (denoted by Δx)
• Initial Velocity (denoted Vi)
• Final Velocity (denoted by Vf)
• Time interval (denoted by t)
• Constant acceleration (denoted by a)
• Note that each kinematic formula is missing
one of the five kinematic variables
• These equations define motion at either
constant velocity or at constant acceleration.
• Kinematics equations are only applicable at a
constant acceleration or a constant speed, we
cannot use them if either of the two is
changing.
The Concept of Force
• The push or pull on an object with mass causes it to change its
velocity.
• Force is an external agent capable of changing a body’s state of rest or
motion.
• It has a magnitude and a direction = Vector Quantity
• The direction towards which the force is applied is known as the direction of
the force.
• The application of force is the point where force is applied.
• SI Unit of Force = Newton (N)
Principle of Net Force
• Vector sum of all forces acting on the object
• If two or more individual forces simultaneously act on an object, the
result is as if single force and it is called net force.

𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹Ԧ1 + 𝐹Ԧ2 + ⋯

The Effects of Force
• Force can make a body that is at rest to move.
• It can stop a moving body or slow it down.
• It can accelerate the speed of a moving body.
• It can also change the direction of a moving body along with its shape
and size.
 Newton’s 1st Law of Motion (Cont.)
#1

• States that A body remains in the state If an object is at rest, it will stay at
of rest or uniform motion in a straight rest, unless a net force acts on it.
line unless and until an external force
acts on it
• Law of inertia also known as Newton’s #2
1st Law of Motion If an object is in motion, it will stay in
motion, unless a net force acts on it.
• Other words, when no force acts on an
object, the acceleration of the object is
zero.

𝑖𝑓 𝐹Ԧ = 0, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎Ԧ = 0
What Is Newton’s First Law of Motion?
• Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object will remain at rest
or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an
external force.
• This law introduces the concept of inertia, explaining why objects
resist changes in their motion. It’s a foundational principle in physics,
 Newton’s 1st Law of Motion

• There are two conditions on which the 1st Law of Motion is dependent:
• Objects at rest: When an object is at rest:
• Velocity (v = 0) and Acceleration (a = 0) are zero.

• Therefore, the object continues to be at rest.

• Objects in motion: When an object is in motion:

• Velocity is not equal to zero (v ≠ 0) while Acceleration (a = 0) is equal to zero.

• Therefore, the object will continue to be in motion with constant velocity and in the same
direction.
Examples
• A classic example of Newton’s First Law is a soccer ball at rest on a
field.
• The ball will stay still until a player kicks it (an external force), causing
it to move.
• Similarly, once the ball is in motion, it will continue moving in the
same direction and speed until friction, another player, or a goalpost
(external forces) changes its state of motion.
 Inertia - Example
• The natural tendency of an object to resist a change
in its state of rest or of uniform motion
• Driving and Braking
1. When a car is in motion, so is the body of the driver.
2. The brakes of the car act on the tires, forcing the car to
stop moving.
3. At the same time, if no force is exerted on the driver,
then the driver will continue moving at the same speed
as before, resulting in an accident.
4. The body is resisting changes in its motion according to
the Principle of Inertia.
5. A seat-belt is forcing the body to stop as the car brakes.
6. As shown in the second image, the body would continue
to move with its initial speed unless a force is exerted to
it by the seat-belt according to the Principle of Inertia.
Newton’s 1 st Law of Motion (Cont.) - Example
• Sudden start of the lift.
• The tendency of moving back when the stationary bus starts to move.
• Jerk experienced when the lift operates suddenly.
• Moving forward when a sudden break is applied.

Lift Bus Vehicle Sudden Break

 Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion (Cont.)

• The acceleration of an object is

directly proportional to the net F = ma
force acting on it and inversely
proportional to its mass
• States that the force acting on
the body is equal to the product The more Force,
of its mass and acceleration. The more Acceleration

• A greater mass is more difficult

to accelerate than a smaller
mass, when both are acted on
by the same force
• 2nd Law is fundamental in the world of physics, providing a
quantitative description of the interaction between a force and the
motion of an object.
• Sir Isaac Newton, a seminal figure in the Scientific Revolution, first
introduced this law in the late 17th century.
• His work laid the groundwork for classical mechanics, radically
changing our understanding of how objects behave in our universe.
• Understanding this formula is crucial in physics as it connects two
fundamental properties: force and acceleration.
• It helps predict how objects will move when forces are applied, making it
essential not only in theoretical physics but also in practical applications like
engineering and technology.
• Newton’s formulation allows scientists and engineers to calculate either the
force required to move an object at a certain acceleration or the acceleration
that a certain force could produce on an object of known mass.
Usage of Newton’s Second Law Formula
• Vehicle Acceleration:
• Engineers use this law to determine the force needed for a car to reach certain speeds within
a specified time, helping in designing more efficient engines.
• Spacecraft Launches:
• Space agencies apply the law to calculate the thrust rockets need to escape Earth’s gravity,
ensuring successful satellite deployments and manned space missions.
• Sports Dynamics:
• In sports, coaches analyze the forces athletes apply to objects, like throwing a javelin or
kicking a soccer ball, to improve performance and technique.
• Building Safety:
• Architects consider the law when calculating load requirements for buildings to withstand
forces like winds or earthquakes.
• Amusement Park Rides:
• Designers use it to calculate the necessary force to move rides at thrilling, yet safe, speeds,
ensuring both safety and excitement.
 Newton’s 2 nd Law of Motion – Example #1
A force of 300 N is applied on a 20 kg box. The frictional force acting on
the box is 200 N.
a) What is the net horizontal force on the box?
b) Calculate the acceleration of the box?
300 N 200 N
20 kg

𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 300 − 200 = 100𝑁

𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎
100𝑁
𝑎= = 5 m/𝑠 2
20
 The Gravitational Force and Weight
• If you drop an object near Earth’s surface, it
accelerates toward Earth.
• If air resistance is negligible, all objects fall with the
same acceleration, called the free-fall acceleration .
• The force causing this acceleration is the
gravitational force, Fg exerted by Earth on the object.
• The weight of the object is the magnitude of the
gravitational force on it.
• If the gravitational force is the only force acting on
an object, the object is said to be in freefall.

𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
Mass
• A physical property of a body. It is usually a measure of a body’s
resistance to altering its state of motion when a force is exerted.
• SI Unit of Mass = Kilogram (kg)
Mass vs Weight
 Exercises
• A 12kg object has a weight force of 588N on planet X.
• What is the gravitational acceleration of this planet? (Answer = 49m/s2)
• How many g’s does this represent with respect to Earth? (Answer = 5g)
• A 24kg object rests on a table.
• What is the gravity force acting on this object? (Answer = 235.2N)
• What average force is required to accelerate a 5kg block from rest to a final
speed of 54m/s in 9 seconds? (Answer = 30N)
• A 1500kg car moving at a speed of 45mph comes to a stop after travelling
200m.
• What was the average force exerted by the brakes on the car? (Answer = -1498.99N)
Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion – Real Life Example
• Kicking a ball
• When we kick a ball, we exert force in a specific direction. The stronger the
ball is kicked, the stronger the force we put on it and the further away it will
travel.
• Pushing a cart
• It is easier to push an empty cart in a supermarket than a loaded one, and
more mass requires more acceleration.
Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion
• States that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
• If an object A exerts a force on object B, then object B must exert a
force of equal magnitude and opposite direction back on object A.

𝐹𝐴𝐵 = −𝐹𝐵𝑎
 Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion - Example

• #1 - A swimmer pushes against the

water, while the water pushes back on
the swimmer.
Lift
• #2 - Lift is created by helicopters by
pushing the air down, thereby
creating an upward reaction force.
Weight
 Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion - Example #1
An 80 kg astronaut in space throws a 2 kg package with an acceleration of
+4 m/s2.
a) What force did the astronaut exert on the package?
b) What force does the package exert on the astronaut?
c) What is the acceleration of the astronaut?

𝑎) 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 = 2 4 = 8𝑁 Under Constant Force

-8N 8N High mass, Low acceleration
2 kg 𝑏) − 8𝑁 (𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑡𝑜𝑛 3𝑟𝑑 𝐿𝑎𝑤) (Astronaut)
𝐹 −8 Low Mass, High acceleration
+ 4 m/s2
𝑐) 𝑎 = = = −0.1 𝑚/𝑠 2 (Package)
80 kg 𝑚 80
 Exercises
• Lucy (60kg) pushes against Sarah (90kg) with a force of 540n directed east.
• What force does Sarah exert on Lucy? (Answer = 540N)
• What acceleration does each person experience? (Answer = 6m/s2)
• A car travels on the road with a constant velocity.
• What is the horizontal net force acting on the car? (Answer = 0N)
• What is the acceleration on the car? (Answer = 0m/s2)
• If the frictional force acting on the car is 1500N, what force is applied to the car by the engine?
(Answer = 1500N)
• A force of 200N is applied on a 10kg box across a frictionless surface.
• What is the acceleration of the box? (Answer = 20m/s2)
• If the box accelerates from rest, what will its final speed be after 8 seconds? (Answer = 160m/s)
• How long will it take the box to reach a speed of 500m/s if it continues to accelerate at this
rate? (Answer = 25s)
 Exercises
• A force of 300N is applied across a 20kg box. The frictional force acting on the box is
200N.
• What is the net horizontal force on the box? (Answer = 100N)
• Calculate the acceleration of the box. (Answer = 5m/s2)
• How far will the box travel after 12 seconds if it continues to accelerate at this rate starting
from rest? (Answer = 360m)
• An 8kg object speeds up from 20m/s to 50m/s in 6 seconds.
• What is the acceleration? (Answer = 5m/s2)
• What is the net horizontal force acting on the object? (Answer = 40N)
• If the frictional force is 35N, what is the applied force on the object? (Answer = 75N)
• A 120kg skater pushes against an 80kg skater. After contact, the 80kg skater given
on acceleration of 1.5m/s2.
• What is the acceleration of the 120kg skater? (Answer = - 1m/s2)
• What force was exerted on each skater? (Answer = -120N, 120N)
 Newton’s Law of Motion

Newton’s 1st Law Newton’s 2nd Law Newton’s 3rd Law

Known as Expressed as Known as

Law of Inertia F = ma Action-Reaction

If an object exerts a The 2nd exerts an

Moving object Object at rest More force = more More mass = less
force on another equal & opposite
keep moving stay at rest acceleration acceleration object force on the 1st

Unless acted
on by an
external force
 Summary of
Law of Motion
Force of Friction
• When an object is in motion either on a surface or in a viscous
medium such as air or water, there is resistance to the motion
because the object interacts with its surroundings.
• We call such resistance a force of friction.
• Forces of friction are very important in our everyday lives. They allow
us to walk or run and are necessary for the motion of wheeled
vehicles
 Exercises
• A 5kg box is pulled to the right by a horizontal force of 200N. A constant
frictional force of 60N opposes it.
• Calculate the net horizontal force acting on the box? (Answer = 140N)
• What is the acceleration? (Answer = 28m/s2)
• How far will the box travel after 15 seconds? (Answer = 3150m)
• A 12kg box is pulled to the right by a 350N force that Is 30 degrees above the
horizontal. A constant frictional force of 120N opposes it.
• What is the net horizontal force acting on the box? (Answer = 183.1N)
• Calculate the acceleration? (Answer = 15.26m/s2)
• What is the final speed of the box after it traveled 200m? (Answer = 78.1m/s)
• A 1200kg car speeds up from 25m/s to 60m/s in 5 seconds.
• What is the acceleration of the car? (Answer = 7m/s2)
• What is the net force acting on the car? (Answer = 8400N)
• If the car experiences a constant frictional force of 3500N, what is the average force
exerted by the engines on the car? (Answer = 11900N)
1. Three connected blocks are pulled to the right on a horizontal frictionless table by a force of magnitude T3
65.0 N. If m1 = 12.0 kg, m2 = 24.0 kg, and m3 = 31.0 kg, calculate:
(a) the magnitude of the system’s acceleration (Answer = 0.970 m/s2)
(b) the tension T1 (Answer = 11.6N)
(c) the tension T2. (Answer = 34.9N)

2. Four penguins that are being playfully pulled along very slippery (frictionless) ice by a curator. The masses
of three penguins and the tension in two of the cords are m1 = 12 kg, m3 = 15 kg, m4 = 20 kg, T2 = 111 N, and T4 = 222 N.
Find the penguin mass m2 that is not given. (Answer = 23kg)
1. Let the mass of the block be 8.5 kg and the angle be 30.
Find
(a) the tension in the cord (Answer = 42N)
(b) the normal force acting on the block. (Answer = 42N)

2. A car traveling at 53 km/h hits a bridge abutment. A passenger in the car moves forward a distance of 65 cm (with
respect to the road) while being brought to rest by an inflated air bag. What magnitude of force (assumed constant)
acts on the passenger’s upper torso, which has a mass of 41 kg? (Answer = F = 6.8 x 103 N)

3. A “sun yacht” is a spacecraft with a large sail that is pushed by sunlight. Although such a push is tiny in everyday
circumstances, it can be large enough to send the spacecraft outward from the Sun on a cost-free but slow trip.
Suppose that the spacecraft has a mass of 900 kg and receives a push of 20 N.
(a) What is the magnitude of the resulting acceleration? (Answer = 0.022m/s2)
(b) If the craft starts from rest, how far will it travel in 1 day (Answer = 8.3 x 107m)
(c) how fast will it then be moving? (Answer = 1.9 x 103m/s)
4. A block is projected up a frictionless inclined plane with initial speed v0 = 3.50 m/s. The angle of incline is 32.0.
(a) How far up the plane does the block go? (Answer = 1.18m)
(b) How long does it take to get there? (Answer = 0.674s)
(c) What is its speed when it gets back to the bottom? (Answer = -3.5m/s)

5. A block of mass m = 5.00 kg is pulled along a horizontal frictionless floor by a cord that exerts a force of magnitude F =
12.0 N at an angle = 25.0.
(a) What is the magnitude of the block’s acceleration? (Answer = 2.18m/s2)
(b) The force magnitude F is slowly increased. What is its value just before the block is lifted (completely) off the floor?
(Answer = 116N)
(c) What is the magnitude of the block’s acceleration just before it is lifted (completely) off the floor? (Answer = 21m/s2)