Source: Advexon, Phys.

org

M. BALATERO, H. CUBIO, M. EGOT, J.J. LADOR, C. MONTALBAN,

F. SANICO, K. SENADOS, R. SOLIDUM, V. SUAREZ, L.G. TABAR
 NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

Law of Inertia
2
explains the
phenomenon where any object in motion will
continue to move with constant magnitude,
unless a net external force acts on it.

The previous chapter introduces the language

and mathematics of kinematics to describe
motion in one, two or three dimensions. But
what causes objects to move, or why motion
occurs the way they do and similar questions
is answered in the second division of
mechanics, the dynamics. The concepts
provide the relationships of motion to the
What happens when a car abruptly comes to a full stop in
the middle of an expressway? Due to the stop the forces that causes it. Such concepts are
speeding SUV behind could not stop in time and crashed clearly stated by Sir Isaac Newton (1642 –
into the front car. Smoke is seen and the rear of the car is 1727), summarized in his famous three laws
ripped into pieces due to the impact.
of motion. These laws became the
(Source: https://stomp.straitstimes.com)
foundation of classical mechanics (also
called Newtonian mechanics).

The laws apply only to macro objects that do not move at extremely high speeds, not as fast
as the speed of light like minute particles do such as electrons. Apart from kinematics
variables two new physical quantities will be introduced here, the force and mass, to analyse
the principles of dynamics.

2.1 Force and Interactions

Force, 𝑭⃑ is commonly termed as “a push or a pull” which

may or may not cause motion. It is a quantitative measure of
the interaction between two bodies or between a body and its
environment. It is a vector quantity, thus with magnitude and
direction.

Contact force occurs between two surfaces that are directly in contact with each other.
Common to this are shown below:

Friction and Normal force Tension force

Friction or frictional force (𝑓 ) is an opposing force acting parallel to the surface of contact.
Its direction is always resistive to motion.

• Kinetic friction, 𝑓𝑘 – opposing frictional force to motion when one body slides on the
surface of another body.

29
 f k = k (2-1)

• Static friction, 𝑓𝑠 – frictional force between surfaces in contact which are not in
relative motion.

𝑓𝑠 ≤ 𝜇𝑠 𝜂 (2-2)

where: k – the coefficient of kinetic friction.

s – the coefficient of static friction.
 – normal force perpendicular to the interacting surfaces.

For most surface interfaces, the coefficient of kinetic friction is less than the coefficient of
static friction:

 k < s
where:
𝜇𝑠 – the coefficient of static friction
𝜇𝑘 – the coefficient of kinetic friction
(a) (b)
𝜂 – normal force perpendicular to the
Figure 2.1: (a) Static Friction, (b)
interacting surfaces
Kinetic Friction.

Centripetal force, 𝑭𝒄 is a force “seeking the center”, without which circular motion cannot
occur and motion of object will be directed tangent to the curve. It acts to change the
direction of motion of moving object in a circle.

• In a circular motion, the direction of the acceleration vector is directed towards the
center with magnitude of:
𝑣2
𝑎𝑐 =
𝑅
and,

𝑣2
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚 (2-3)
𝑅

Normal force () is exerted on an object by any surface with which it is in contact. It is the
supporting force which is directed perpendicular to the surface area of contact.

Tension force (T) is a pulling force which is transmitted through a string, rope, cable or wire
when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. It is directed along the length of
force and pulls equally on the objects on the opposite ends of the string.

Long-range force or force at a distance is any force applied to an object by another body
that is not in direct contact with it. Some examples are weight, electrostatic force or magnetic
force.

30
Weight (w) is the gravitational force that the earth exerts on a body and is always
directed downward (towards the earth).

𝑤
⃑⃑ = 𝑚𝑔 (2-4)

𝑔 = 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2

The SI unit for weight is Newton.

Mass (m) characterizes the inertial properties of a body (the quantity of a body). It is
measured in terms of kilogram or kg.

Group of forces can also be classified relative to their line of actions. Concurrent forces are
set of two or more forces that pass through a common point. These are forces whose lines of
action intersect at a point at the same time. The principle of equilibrium is also used to
determine the resultant force of non-parallel, non-concurrent systems of forces. Non-
concurrent, non- parallel system of forces have lines of action of forces that do not meet
at one point. Refer to the diagram below:

Concurrent forces

The SI unit of the magnitude of force is kg.m/s2 equivalent to Newton, abbreviated as, N.

Superposition of Forces

When two or more forces acts at a common point (when lines of force are extended)
at the same time, the effect on the body’s motion is the same as if a single force (the
resultant) were acting equal to the vector sum of the original forces: ∑ 𝐹⃗ = 𝑅⃑⃗ = 𝐹⃗1 + 𝐹⃗2 + 𝐹⃗3 + . . .
More generally, any number of forces applied at a point on a body have the same effect as a
single force equal to the vector sum of the forces referred to as Principle of Superposition.

Free-Body Diagram (FBD) is a diagram isolating

(a) (b)
the body from surroundings but showing all the
concurrent forces acting on only that object.

i. With the aid of FBD, forces acting on a body

can be resolve into x and y-components.
ii. For problems with several bodies involved,
FBD must be drawn separately for each body. Figure 2.2: Examples of FBD. Block on
(a) a level surface with an applied force,
and on (b) an inclined surface.

31
2.2 Newton’s Three Laws of Motion (Sir Isaac Newton, 1687)

1. First Law (Law of Inertia): “An object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion
will stay in motion with constant magnitude of velocity unless a NET external force acts on
it”.

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0
First Condition of 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0 (2-5)
Equilibrium
𝛴𝐹𝑧 = 0

Inertia is the tendency of a body to continue moving once set in motion.

Sample Problem

1. A traffic light weighing 100 N hangs from a vertical cable tied to other two cables that are
fastened to a support, as shown in Figure 4.4. Find the tension in each of the three cables.
Solution (Refer to the FBD of the traffic light and the cables.)
The system is at rest, then we will apply First Equilibrium Condition, Fnet=0.

Traffic light: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇3 − 𝑤 = 0, gives

𝑤 = 𝑻𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐍

Cables: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇2 cos 53.0° − 𝑇1 cos 37.0° = 0

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°
gives 𝑻𝟏 = 𝑻𝟐 → (eq. 1)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°

Also, ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇1 sin 37.0° + 𝑇2 sin 53.0° − 𝑇3 = 0

gives
𝑻𝟏 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟑𝟕. 𝟎° + 𝑻𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑. 𝟎° − 𝑻𝟑 = 𝟎 → (eq.2)

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°
Substituting eq.1 in eq.2: (𝑻𝟐 ) 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟑𝟕. 𝟎° + 𝑻𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑. 𝟎° − 𝑻𝟑 = 𝟎
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°

𝑻𝟑 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐍
→ 𝑇2 cos 53.0° tan 37.0° + 𝑇2 sin 53.0° = 𝑇3 → = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎° 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°+𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎° 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°+𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°

𝑻𝟐 = 𝟕𝟗. 𝟖 𝐍
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°
Substituting the value for T2 in eq.1: (𝟕𝟗. 𝟖 𝐍) = 𝑻𝟏 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟐 𝐍
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°

2. Second Law (Law of Acceleration):”When a net external force, F net , acts on an object of
mass of mass m, the object accelerates in the direction of 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 ”.

32
 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎 (2-6)

In component form: ⃑⃑ 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 ⃑ 𝑥, ⃑⃑ 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 ⃑ 𝑦, ⃑⃑ 𝑧 = 𝑚𝑎
𝐹 ⃑ 𝑧,

SI unit: kg.m/s2 = Newton, N

Sample Problems

1. A 5.0kg block in the figure is pulled westward across a

frictionless horizontal surface by a 30.0N force applied at
63º angle above the horizontal.
a) What is the block’s acceleration?
b) What is the normal force?

Solution

a) The acceleration can be calculated as:

F x = ma x
− Fx = −ma
Fx − F cos  − 30 N cos 63
a= = =
m m 5kg
FBD m
a = −2.72 2
s
The negative sign indicates that the object is
moving to the left.

b)
F y = ma y
There is no component of a along 𝑦 (𝑎𝑦 = 0).
Fy +  − w = 0
F sin  +  − mg = 0
 = mg − F sin 
m
 = (5kg )(9.8 2 ) − (30 N )(sin 63)
s
 = 22.27 N 33
2. Figure 4.6 shows block A of mass 2.25 kg that rest on a
horizontal tabletop. It is connected by a horizontal cord
passing over a light, frictionless pulley to a hanging block B
of mass 1.15 kg. Assume that the surface is frictionless.
a) What is the acceleration of the block after the system is
released?
b) What is the tension in the cord as the system is moving?
c) If there exists friction between the two surfaces, what is the minimum coefficient of
static friction between the table and block A if the system remains at rest even if they
are released from rest?

Solution (Refer to the FBD of the load of bricks and the counterweight.)

a) The system will accelerate in the direction of 𝒘𝑩 ,

𝜼𝑨 𝑻
then we will apply Newton’s 2nd Law, Fnet=ma.
Along the axis of motion, 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

Block A: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇 − 𝑓 = 𝑚𝐴 𝑎, where 𝑓 = 0
gives 𝑻 = 𝒎𝑨 𝒂 → (eq.1) 𝒇 𝑻
𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Block B: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇 − 𝑤𝐵 = 𝑚𝐵 (−𝑎) 𝒘𝑨 𝒘𝑩
gives 𝑻 = 𝒘𝑩 − 𝒎𝑩 𝒂 = 𝒎𝑩 𝒈 − 𝒎𝑩 𝒂 → (eq.2)
𝟖𝐦
𝒎𝑩 𝒈 (𝟏.𝟏𝟓𝐤𝐠)(𝟗. )
Equating eqs.1 and 2: 𝒎𝑨 𝒂 = 𝒎𝑩 𝒈 − 𝒎𝑩 𝒂 → 𝒂 = (𝒎 = 𝐬𝟐
𝑨 +𝒎𝑩 ) (𝟐.𝟐𝟓𝐤𝐠+𝟏.𝟏𝟓𝐤𝐠)

𝒂 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟏 𝐦/𝐬𝟐

b) The tension in the cord (using Eq.1) is: (2.25kg)(3.31m/s2 ) = 𝑻 = 𝟕. 𝟒𝟔 𝐍

or (using Eq.2): (1.15kg)(9.8m/s2 ) − (1.15kg)(3.31m/s2 ) = 𝑻 = 𝟕. 𝟒𝟔 𝐍

c) In the presence of static friction, where 𝑓𝑠 = 𝜇𝑠 𝜂𝐴. Since the system does not move, we
will apply the Newton’s 1st Law.

Block A: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇 − 𝑓𝑠 = 0 gives 𝑻 = 𝒇𝒔 = 𝝁𝒔 𝜼𝑨. Also, ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂𝐴 − 𝑤𝐴 = 0 gives

𝜼𝑨 = 𝒘𝑨 = 𝒎𝑨 𝒈 so, 𝑻 = 𝝁𝒔 𝒎𝑨 𝒈 → (Eq.3)
Block B: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇 − 𝑤𝐵 = 0 gives 𝑻 = 𝒘𝑩 = 𝒎𝑩 𝒈 → (Eq.4)
𝒎𝑩 𝟏.𝟏𝟓𝐤𝐠
Equation=g Eq.3 and 4: 𝝁𝒔 𝒎𝑨𝒈 = 𝒎𝑩 𝒈 → 𝝁𝒔 = = = 𝝁𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟏
𝒎𝑨 𝟐.𝟐𝟓𝐤𝐠

3. A crate of mass 10 kg is released from rest on a frictionless plane inclined 30˚ from the
horizontal. The distance from the front edge of the crate to the bottom of the plane is 5.0
m.
a) Determine the acceleration of the crate after it is released from rest.
b) How long does it take for the crate to reach the bottom?
c) What is its speed just as it gets there?

FBD

34
Solution

a) ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥

∑𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂 − 𝑚𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0

𝑎𝑥 = 𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = (9.8 𝑚⁄ 2 ) (sin 30° ) = 𝑎𝑥 = 4.9 𝑚⁄ 2

𝑠 𝑠
1
b) 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 2
2

1
𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 2
2

2(𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 ) 2(5𝑚)
𝑡= √ =√ = 1.43 𝑠
𝑎𝑥 4.9 𝑚⁄ 2
𝑠

c) 𝑣 2 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 2 + 2𝑎𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 ) = 2𝑎𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 )

= √2𝑎𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 ) = √2 (4.9 𝑚⁄ 2 ) (5 𝑚) = 7.0 𝑚/𝑠

𝑠

4. A small object with mass m is suspended from a length of 1 m. The object revolves with
constant speed 𝑣 in a horizontal circle of radius r, as shown in the figure. Find an
expression for 𝑣.

Solution

Free-Body Diagram (FBD) From Newton’s first law:

𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠 Vertical: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑊 = 0

𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔 (eq. 1)

𝑤
Horizontal: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥

𝑣2
𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝑎𝑐 = 𝑚 (eq. 2)
𝑟

Equating the two equations A and B, we can obtain the velocity 𝑣 = √𝑟𝑔𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃.

From the figure, we can find 𝑟 = 𝐿𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. Hence, 𝑣 = √𝑔𝐿𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃.

From the result, the speed v is independent of the mass m of the object.

3. Newton’s Third Law (Law of Interaction): “For every action

there is always an equal and opposite reaction.”

35
 • If object 1 exerts a force on object 2, 𝐹12 , (the action) body 2 will in turn
exert a force on 1, 𝐹21 , equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

Banked Curves

Banked Curves are curved roadbeds tilted inward, i.e. outer surface is elevated so surface of
the road is inclined.

• On a level (horizontal) surface road, 𝐹𝑐 is furnished by 𝑓𝑠 , between the tires and the
road.
The maximum speed any vehicle can navigate through the curve is given by the
relationship:

𝒗𝒎𝒂𝒙 = √𝜇𝑠 𝑔𝑅 (2-7)

• As a speeding car turns a curve and if the radius of curvature is small, 𝐹𝑐 would be
large and 𝑓𝑘 may not be enough that may lead to skidding, especially if the road is wet
and slippery.

• To reduce the chance of skids, highway curves are often BANKED so roadbed tilts
inward.

(a) (b)
Figure 2.3: (a) Car turning a curve, (b) The free body diagram.
(Source: http://www.clickandlearn.org)

From the FBD of the vehicle, summation of the forces along the x and y axis shows that

𝑚𝑣 2
𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = eq. (a), and 𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔 eq. (b)
𝑅

Dividing eq. (a) by (b) gives:

𝑣2
tan 𝜃 = (2-8)
𝑔𝑟

Sample Problem

1. A car is rounding a flat, unbanked curve with radius of 150 m.

a) If the coefficient of static friction between the tires of the car and the road is 0.35,
what is the maximum speed at which the driver can take the curve without skidding?
b) At what angle should the curve be bank so that the car travelling with a speed in (a)
can safely navigate the curve in the absence of static friction?
36
Solution (Refer to the FBD of car for the unbanked and banked cases.)

a) The car moves around a circular path under the influence of a centripetal focre.
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂 − 𝑤 = 0 gives 𝜼 = 𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈 and
𝜼 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 𝜼
𝜽
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑓𝑠 = 𝜇𝑠 𝜂 = 𝑚
𝑣2
→ 𝝁𝒔 𝒎𝒈 = 𝒎
𝒗𝟐
then 𝜼
𝑅 𝑹
𝜼 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽
𝑣 2 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑔𝑅 = (0.35)(9.8m/s2 )(150m) → 𝒇𝒔
𝜽
𝒗 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟕 𝐦/𝐬
𝒘
𝑣2 𝒗𝟐
b) ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝜂 sin 𝜃 = 𝑚
𝑅
→ 𝜼 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒎
𝑹
(eq.1) 𝒘
(a) (b)
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂 cos 𝜃 − 𝑤 = 0 → 𝜼 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝒎𝒈 (eq.2)

2
sin 𝜃 𝑚(𝑣 ⁄𝑅 )
Dividing Eq.1 with Eq.2: = gives
cos 𝜃 𝑚𝑔

𝑣2 𝒗𝟐 (𝟐𝟐.𝟕𝐦/𝐬)𝟐
tan 𝜃 = → 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 ( ) = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 [ ] = 𝜽 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟑°
𝑔𝑅 𝒈𝑹 (𝟗.𝟖𝐦/𝐬 𝟐 )(𝟏𝟓𝟎𝐦)

37