Laws of Motion

Fill in the Blanks

Q.1. A block of mass 1 kg lies on a horizontal surface in a truck. The coefficient

of static friction between the block and the surface is 0.6. If the acceleration of
the truck is 5 m/s2, the frictional force acting on the block is .....
newtons. (1984 - 2 Marks)

Ans. 5

Solution. As seen by the observer on the ground, the frictional force is responsible
to move the mass with an acceleration of 5 m/s 2.

Therefore, frictional force = m × a = 1 × 5 = 5 N.

Q.2. A uniform rod of length L and density ρ is being pulled along a smooth
floor with a horizontal acceleration α (see Fig.) The magnitude of the stress at
the transverse crosssection through the mid- point of the rod is ......... (1993 - 1
Mark)

Ans. ρLα/2

Solution. Let A be the area of cross-section of the rod.

Consider the back half portion of the rod.

Mass of half portion of the rod = ρAL/2

The force responsible for its acceleration is

True/False

Q.1. A rocket moves forward by pushing the surrounding air backwards.

Ans. F

Solution. KEY CONCEPT : The rocket moves forward when the exhaust gases are
thrown backward.

Here exhaust gases thrown backwards is action and rocket moving forward is
reaction.

Note : This phenomenon takes place in the absence of air as well.

Q.2. When a person walks on a rough surface, the frictional force exerted by
the surface on the person is opposite to the direction of his motion. (1981 - 2
Marks)

Ans. F

Solution. KEY CONCEPT : Friction force opposes the relative motion of the
surface of contact.
When a person walks on a rough surface, the foot is the surface of contact. When he
pushes the foot backward, the
motion of surface of contact tends to be backwards.
Therefore the frictional force will act forward (in the direction of motion of the
person)
Q.3. A simple pendulum with a bob of mass m swings with an angular
amplitude of 40°. When its angular displacement is 20°, the tension in the string
is greater than mg cos 20°. (1984 - 2 Marks)

Ans. T

Solution. As the angular amplitude of the pendulum is 40°, the bob will be in the
mid of the equilibrium position and the extreme position as shown in the figure

Note : For equilibrium of the bob, T – mg cos 20° =

where l is the length of the pendulum and is the velocity of the bob.

Q.4. The pulley arrangements of Figs. (a) and (b) are identical. The mass of
the rope is negligible. In (a) the mass m is lifted up by attaching a mass 2m to
the other end of the rope. In (b) , m is lifted up by pulling the other end of the
rope with a constant downward force F = 2 mg. The acceleration of m is the
same in both cases (1984 - 2 Marks)
Ans. F

Solution. Case (i) For mass m

T – mg = ma ... (i)

For mass 2m

2mg – T = 2ma ... (ii)

From (i) and (ii) a = g/3

Case (ii) T – mg = ma'

2mg – mg = ma' [∴ T = 2mg]

∴ a' = g

Hence, a < a'

 Subjective Questions

Q.1. In the diagram shown, the blocks A, B and C weight, 3 kg, 4 kg and 5 kg
respectively. The coefficient of sliding friction between any two surface is 0.25.
A is held at rest by a massless rigid rod fixed to the wall while B and C are
connected by a light flexible cord passing around a frictionless pulley. Find the
force F necessary to drag C along the horizontal surface to the left at constant
speed. Assume that the arrangement shown in the diagram, B on C and A on B,
is maintained all through. (g = 9.8 m/s 2)

Ans. 71.05 N

Solution. When force F is applied on C, the block C will move towards left.

The F.B.D. for mass C is

As C is moving with constant speed F = f1 + f2 + T ... (i) F.B.D. for mass B is

As B is moving with constant speed f 2 + f3 = T (ii) Subtracting (ii) from (i)

F – (f2 + f3) = f1 + f2 + T – T = f1 + f2

⇒ F = f1 + 2f2 + f3 = µ (mA + mB + mC) g + 2µ (mA + mB) g + µ mAg

F = µ (4 mA + 3 mB + mC) g

= 0.25 [4 × 3 + 3 × 4 + 5] × 9.8 = 71.05 N

Q.2. Two cubes of masses m 1 and m2 be on two frictionless slopes of block A

which rests on a horizontal table. The cubes are connected by a string which
passes over a pulley as shown in the figure.

To what horizontal acceleration f should the whole system (that is blocks and
cubes) be subjected so that the cubes do not slide down the planes.

What is the tension of the string in this situation? (1978)

Ans.

Solution. Without Pseudo Force

F.B.D for mass m2

N2 cos β = T sin β + m2g ... (i)

and (N2 sin β + T cos β) = m2 f ... (ii)

FBD for mass m1

N1 cos α + T sin α = m1g ... (iii)

and (N1 sin α – T cos α) = m1 f ... (iv)

On solving the four equations, we get the above results.

Q.3. A horizontal uniform rope of length L, resting on a frictionless horizontal
surface, is pulled at one end by force F. What is the tension in the rope at a
distance l from the end where the force is applied? (1978)

Ans.

Solution.

Q.4. Masses M1, M2 and M3 are connected by strings of negligible mass which
pass over massless and friction less pulleys P 1 and P2 as shown in fig The masses
move such that the portion of the string between P 1 and P2 in parallel to the
inclined plane and the portion of the string between P 2 and M3 is horizontal.
The masses M2 and M3 are 4.0 kg each and the coefficient of kinetic friction
between the masses and the surfaces is 0.25. The inclined plane makes an angle
of 37° with the horizontal. (1981- 6 Marks)

If the mass M1 moves downwards with a uniform velocity, find

(i) the mass of M 1

(ii) The tension in the horizontal portion of the string

Ans. 4.2 Kg, 9.8 N

Solution. (a) If M1, M2 and M3 are considered as a system, then the force
responsible to more them is M1g and the retarding force is (M2g sinθ + µM2g cosθ +
µM3g). These two should be equal as the system is moving with constant velocity.
Q.5. A particle of mass m rests on a horizontal floor with which it has a
coefficient of static friction μ . It is desired to make the body move by applying
the minimum possible force F. Find the maguitude of F and the direction in
which it has to be applied. (1987 - 7 Marks)

Ans. mgsinθ, tan–1μ

Solution. Let F be the force applied to move the body at an angle θ to the
horizontal.

The body will move when

F cos θ = µN ... (i)

Applying equilibrium of forces in the vertical direction we get

F sin θ + N = mg

⇒ N = mg – F sin θ ... (ii)

⇒ From (i) and (ii)

Differentiating the above equation w.r.t. θ , we get

⇒ θ = tan–1µ

This is the angle for minimum force.

To find the minimum force substituting these values in equation (iii)

Q.6. Two blocks of mass 2.9 kg and 1.9 kg are suspended from a rigid support S
by two inextensible wires each of length 1 meter, see fig. The upper wire has
negligible mass and the lower wire has a uniform mass of 0.2 kg/m.

The whole system of blocks wires and support have an upward acceleration of
0.2 m/s2. Acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s 2. (1989 - 6 Marks)

(i) Find the tension at the mid-point of the lower wire.

(ii) Find the tension at the mid-point of the upper wire.

Ans. 20N, 50N

Solution. Let λ be the mass per unit length of lower wire.

Let us consider the dotted portion as a system and the tension T accelerates the
system upwards

To find tension T ' Let us consider the dotted portion given in figure (2)

Alternatively considering m1, m2 and lower wire as a system T' – 5 g = 5 a

Q.7. A smooth semicircular wire-track of radius R is fixed in a vertical plane.

One end of a massless spring of natural length 3R/4 is attached to the lowest
point O of the wire-track. A small ring of mass m, which can slide on the track,
is attached to the other end of the spring. The ring is held stationary at point P
such that the spring makes an angle of 60° with the vertical. The spring
constant K= mg/R.

Consider the instant when the ring is released, and (i) draw the free body
diagram of the ring, (ii) determine the tangential acceleration of the ring and
the normal reaction. (1996 - 5 Marks)
Ans.

Solution.

In DOCP, OC = CP = R

∴ ∠COP = ∠CPO = 60° ⇒ ∠OCP = 60°

∴ ΔOCP is an equilateral triangle ⇒ OP = R

The forces acting are shown in the figure (i)

The free body diagram of the ring is shown in fig. (ii)

Force in the tangential direction

= F cos 30° + mg cos 30

= [kx + mg] cos 30°

Also, when the ring is just released

N + F sin 30° = mg sin 30°

Q.8. A particle of mass 10–2 kg is moving along the positive x axis under
the influence of a force F(x) = – K/(2x2) where K = 10–2 N m2. At time t = 0 it is
at x = 1.0 m and its velocity is v = 0. (1998 - 8 Marks)

(a) Find its velocity when it reaches x = 0.50 m.

(b) Find the time at which it reaches x = 0.25 m.

Ans.

Solution. m = 10–2 kg, motion is along positive X-axis

Initially the particle was moving in + X direction at x = 1.

When the particle is at x = 0.5, obviously its velocity will be in –X direction. The
force acting in –X direction first decreases the speed of the particle, bring it
momentarily at rest and then changes the direction of motion of the particle.

Note : We have chosen –ve sign because force tends to decrease the displacement
with time

Put x = sin2θ , dx = 2 sin θ cos θ d θ

Q.9. In the figure masses m 1, m2 and M are 20 kg, 5 kg and 50 kg respectively.
The coefficient of friction between M and ground is zero. The coefficient of
friction between m 1and M and that between m 2 and ground is 0.3. The pulleys
and the strings are massless. The string is perfectly horizontal between P 1 and
m1 and also between P2 and m2. The string is perfectly vertical between P 1 and
P2. An external horizontal force F is applied to the mass M. Take g = 10
m/s2 (2000 - 10 Marks)

(a) Draw a free body diagram for mass M, clearly showing all the forces.

(b) Let the magnitude of the force of friction between m1 and M be f 1 and that
between m2and ground be f2. For a particular F it is found that f1 = 2f2. Find
f1 and f2.

Write equations of motion of all the masses. Find F, tension in the string and
acceleration of the masses

Ans. (b) F = 60 N; T = 18 N

Solution. Given m1 = 20 kg, m2 = 5 kg, M = 50 kg, µ = 0.3 and g = 10 m/s2

(A) Free body diagram of mass M is

(B) The maximum value of f1 is

(f1)max = (0.3) (20) (10) = 60 N

The maximum value of f2 is (f2)max = (0.3) (5) (10) = 15 N

Forces on m1 and m2 in horizontal direction are as follows :

Note : There are only two possibilities.

(1) Either both m1 and m2 will remain stationary (w.r.t. ground) or (2) both m 1 and
m2 will move (w.r.t. ground). First case is possible when.

T < (f1)max or T < 60 N

and T < (f2)max or T < 15 N

These conditions will be satisfied when T < 15 N say T = 14 then f1 = f2 = 14 N.

Therefore the condition f1 = 2f2 will not be satisfied.

Thus m1 and m2 both can't remain stationary.

In the second case, when m1 and m2 both move

f2 = (f2) max = 15 N

Therefore, f1 = 2f2 = 30 N

Note : Since f1 < (f1)max, there is no relative motion between m1 and M, i.e., all the
masses move with same acceleration, say 'a'.

Free body diagrams and equations of motion are as follows:

For m1 : 30 – T = 20 a ... (i)

For m2 : T – 15 = 5 a ... (ii)

For M : F – 30 = 50 a ... (iii)

Solving these three equations, we get,

Q.10. Two block A and B of equal masses are placed on rough inclined plane as
shown in figure. When and where will the two blocks come on the same line on
the inclined plane if they are released simultaneously? Initially the block A is
√2 m behin d th e block B. Co-efficien t of kinetic friction for the blocks A and
B are 0.2 and 0.3 respectively (g =10 m/s 2). (2004 - Marks)

Ans. 8√2m, 7√2 m, 2 sec.

Solution.

∴ aA = g sin θ – µk,A g cos θ ... (i)

and aB = g sin θ – µk,B g cos θ ... (ii)

Putting values we get

Let aAB is relative acceleration of A w.r.t. B. Then

[where L is the relative distance between A and B]

Putting values we get, t 2 = 4 or t = 2s.

Distance moved by B during that time is given by

Q.11. A circular disc with a groove along its diameter is placed horizontally on
a rough surface. A block of mass 1 kg is placed as shown. The co-efficient of
friction between the block and all surfaces of groove and horizontal surface in
contact is μ = 2/5. The disc has an acceleration of 25 m/s 2 towards left. Find the
acceleration of the block with respect to disc. (2006 - 6M)

Ans. 10 m/s2

Solution. Applying pseudo force ma and resolving it.

Applying Fnet = mar

ma cos θ – (f1 + f2) = mar

ma cos θ – µN1 –µN2 = mar

ma cos θ – µma sin θ – µ mg = mar

⇒ ar = a cos θ – µa sin θ – µg
 Match the Following

DIRECTIONS (Q. No. 1) : Following question has matching lists. The codes for
the lists have choices (a), (b), (c) and (d) out of which ONLY ONE is correct.

Q.1. A block of mass m 1 = 1 kg another mass m 2 = 2 kg, are placed together (see
figure) on an inclined plane with angle of inclination θ. Various values of θ are
given in List-I. The coefficient of friction between the block m 1 and plane is
always zero. The coefficient of static and dynamic friction between the block
m2 and the plane are equal to μ = 0.3. In List-II expressions for the friction on
block m2 are given. Match the correct expression of the friction in List-II with
the angles given in List-I, and choose the correct option. The acceleration due to
gravity is denoted by g.

[Useful information: tan (5.5°) ≈ 0.1; tan (11.5°) ≈ 0.2; tan (16.5°) ≈ 0.3]

List-I List-II

P. θ = 5° m2 g sinθ

Q. θ = 10° (m1 + m2)g sinθ

R. θ = 15° μm2g cosθ

S. θ = 20° μ(m1 + m2 )g cosθ

Code:

(a) P-1, Q-1, R-1, S-3

(b) P-2, Q-2, R-2, S-3

(c) P-2, Q-2, R-2, S-4

(d) P-2, Q-2, R-3, S-3

Ans. (d)

Solution. If (m1 + m2) sin θ < μN2 the bodies will be at rest i.e., (m1 + m2)g sin θ <
μm2 g cos θ

⇒ tan θ < 0.2 i.e.,

If the angle θ < 11.5° the frictional force is less than

µN2 = µm2g = 0.3 × 2 × g = 0.6 g

and is equal to (m1 + m2)g sin θ

At θ = 11.5° the bodies are on the verge of moving, f = 0.6 g

At θ > 11.5° the bodies start moving and f = 0.6 g

The above relationship is true for (d).

Integer Value Correct Type

Q.1. A block is moving on an inclined plane making an angle 45° with the
horizontal and the coefficient of friction is μ. The force required to just push it
up the inclined plane is 3 times the force required to just prevent it from sliding
down. If we define N = 10 μ, then N is (2011)
Ans. 5

Solution.

The pushing force F1 = mg sinθ + f

∴ F1 = mg sin θ + μ mg cos θ = mg (sin θ + μ cos θ)

The force required to just prevent it from sliding down

F2 = mg sin θ – µN = mg (sin θ – μ cos θ)

Given , F1 = 3F2

∴ sin θ + μcos θ = 3(sin θ – μ cos θ)

∴ 1 + μ = 3(1 – μ) [∴ sin θ = cos θ]

∴ 4μ = 2

∴ μ = 0.5

∴ N = 10 μ = 5