KINETICS

Kinetics – branch of dynamics that deals with relationship between the change in motion in a
body and force that cause this change. The basis for kinetics is Newton’s second law, which states
that when an unbalanced force acts on a particle, the particle will accelerate in the direction of force
with magnitude that is proportional to the force.

This law can be verified experimentally by applying a known unbalanced force F to a particle
and then measuring the acceleration a. Since force and acceleration a. Since force and acceleration
are directly proportional, the constant of proportionality, m, may be determined from the ratio
m=F/a. The positive scalar m is called the mass of the particle. Being constant during any
acceleration, m provides a quantitative measure of resistance of particle to change in its velocity that
is its inertia.

If mass of particle is m. Newton’s second law of motion may be written in form: F = ma. The
equation is also referred to as equation of motion.

When more than one force acts on a particle, the resultant force is determined by vector
summation of all forces, FR =∑F. The equation of motion may now be written as:

∑F = ma

∑F – ma = 0

The term –ma is referred to as inertia force vector. The inertia of a body manifests itself as a
force whenever an unbalanced force acts on a body and thereby causes acceleration.

Example 1: The 50 kg crate rests on a horizontal surface for which coefficient of friction is 0.3. If the
crate is subjected to a 400 N towing force, determine velocity of crate in 3 sec starting from rest.

Example 2: A 10 kg projectile is fired vertically upward from ground, with initial velocity of 50 m/s.
Determine maximum height to which it would travel if atmospheric resistance is neglected.
Example 3: The crate shown has a weight of 50 lb and is acted upon by a force having variable
magnitude P = 20t, where P is in pounds and t is in seconds. Compute crate’s velocity 2 sec after P
has been applied. The crate’s initial velocity is 3 ft/s down the plane and coefficient of friction
between crate and plane is 0.3.

Example 4:The 100 kg block A as shown is released from rest. If masses of pulleys and cord are
neglected, determine speed of 20 kg block B after 2 sec.