Applications of forces Mixed exercise 7

1 a Finding the components of P along each axis:

R(→) =: Px 12 cos 70 + 10sin 75
R(↑) :=
Py 12sin 70 − 10 cos 75
Py
tan θ =
Px
12sin 70 − 10 cos 75
=tan θ = 0.63124...
12 cos 70 + 10sin 75
θ = 32.261...
The angle θ is 32.3o (to 3s.f.).

b Using Pythagoras’ theorem:

2
P= Px 2 + Py 2

P 2 = (12 cos 70 + 10sin 75 ) + (12sin 70 − 10 cos 75 )

2 2

= P = 264.91... 16.276...
P has a magnitude of 16.3 N (3s.f.).

2 a R ( ) :
W cos θ 40sin 30 + 30sin 45
=
R ( ) :
30 cos 45 + W sin θ =
40 cos 30
W sin θ 40 cos 30 − 30 cos 45
=

W sin θ 40 cos 30 − 30 cos 45

=
W cos θ 40sin 30 + 30sin 45
20 3 − 15 2
= tan θ = 0.35281...
20 + 15 2
θ = 18.046...
The angle θ is 18.0 o (to 3s.f.).

b Using Pythagoras’ theorem, |W|2 is the sum of the squares of the two components.
( 20 ) + ( 20 + 15 2 )
2 2
2
W= 3 − 15 2

= W = 1878.8... 43.345...
The weight of the particle is 43.3  N (3s.f.).

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 3 Resolving horizontally:
T1 cos 20 = T2 cos10
T1 cos 20
T2 = (1)
cos10
Resolving vertically:
T1 sin 20 + T2 sin10 =
55 g (2)
T1 cos 20
Substituting T2 = from (1) into (2):
cos10
T cos 20 × sin10
T1 sin 20 + 1 55 g
=
cos10
T1 (sin 20 + cos 20 tan10 ) =
55 g
55 × 9.8
=T1 = 1061.6...
sin 20 + cos 20 tan10


Subsituting this value of T1 into (1):

cos 20 ×1061.6...
= T2 = 1012.9...
cos10
The tensions in the two parts of the rope are 1062 N and 1013 N (nearest whole number).

4 Let the acceleration of the system be a ms–2

For the block, R (  ) :

F = ma
T − 5 g sin 30 =
5a
5g
T= 5a + (1)
2
For the pan and masses, R ( ↓ ) :
F = ma
(2 + 5) g − T = (2 + 5)a
=T 7 g − 7a (2)
Since the string is inextensible, T is constant and hence (1) = (2):
5g
5a + = 7 g − 7a
2
9g
12a =
2
3g
a=
8
3g
Hence, the scale-pan accelerates downward, away from the pulley with magnitude a = ms–2
8
Applying Newton’s second law to mass A, and denoting the force exerted by B on A as FAB:
2 g − FAB =
2a
2 × 3g
= 2g −
FAB
8
10
FAB = g
8
FAB = 1.25 × 9.8 = 12.25

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 4 However, Newton’s third law of motion gives
|force exerted by B on A| = |force exerted by A on B|.
Therefore the force exerted by A on B is 12.25 N.

5 a For the 2 kg particle

For the 5 kg particle:

R ( )

As , cos θ = 4 and sin θ = 3

5 5
4 3
F × = 5g × − 2 g
5 5
∴F = g × 5
4
5g
=
4
= 12 (2 s.f.)

b R ( )

R F sin θ + 5 g cos θ
∴=

( )(
= 5 g × 3 + 5g × 4
4 5 5 )
= 19 g
4
= 47 (2 s.f.)
c F will be smaller

6 a Resolving vertically:
T=cos 20 T cos 70 + 2 g
T (cos 20 − cos 70 ) =
2g
2 × 9.8
=T = 32.793...
cos 20 − cos 70
The tension in the string, to two significant figures, is 33 N.

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6 b Resolving horizontally:
= P T sin 20 + T sin 70
P = (sin 20 + sin 70 ) × 32.793...
P = 42.032...
The value of P is 42 N (2 s.f.).

7 a R ( ) :
T cos 30 = 50 g sin 40
50 × 9.8sin 40
T=
cos 30
= 363.69...
The tension in the string is 364 N (3s.f.).

b Even when the hill is covered in snow, there is likely to be some friction between the runners of
the sled and the slope, so modelling the hill as a smooth slope is unrealistic.

8 Let S be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at B.

Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at A.
(Both surfaces are smooth, so no friction.)

Taking moments about A:

mg × 5 a × cos θ + F × a × sin θ = S × 5a × sin θ
2
5mg
+ F tan θ = 5S tan θ (dividing by a cos θ )
2
5mg
= + F tan θ 5 F tan θ = (Since F S )
2
5mg
= 4 F tan θ
2
9 9
= 4× F (Since tan θ = )
5 5
= 7.2 F
5mg
F=
2 × 7.2
25mg
= as required.
72

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9 Let N be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at B.
Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at A,
Let F the friction between the ladder and the ground at A.
3 3 4
tan α =⇒ sin α =and cos α =
4 5 5

R ( ↑ ) : R =mg + 2mg =3mg

Taking moments about B:

mg × a sin α + 2mg × 4 a sin α + F × 2a cos α = R × 2a sin α
3
3 8mga 3 4 3
mga × + × + F × 2a ×= 6mga ×
5 3 5 5 5
8a 18mga 8mga 3mga
F× = − −
5 5 5 5
8a 7 mga
F× =
5 5
7 mga 5
F= ×
5 8a
7 mg
=
8

The ladder and the child are in equilibrium, so

F ≤ µR
7 mg
≤ µ × 3mg
8
7
µ≥
24
The least possible value for µ is 7
24

10 Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at A,

Let N be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at B
Let F be the friction between the wall and the ladder at B.

a Since you do not know the magnitude of F, you cannot resolve

vertically to find R.
Therefore, take moments about B (since this eliminates F):
W 7a
× sin θ + W × a cos θ = R × 2a cos θ
3 4
7W
× tan θ + W = 2R (dividing through by a cos θ )
12
7 4 4
= × W + W 2R = (since tan θ )
12 3 3
16W
= 2R
9
8W
R=
9

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 W
10 b R(→) : N =
3
R (↑) :
R+F =
W
F= W − R
8
= W− W
9
W
=
9
For the ladder to remain in equilibrium,
F ≤ µN
W W
≤µ
9 3
1
µ≥
3

c The ladder had negligible thickness / the ladder does not bend.

11 a Let S be the reaction of the wall on the ladder

Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder
Let F the friction between the ladder and the ground
Let X be the point where the lines of action of R and S
intersect, as shown in the diagram.

By Pythagoras’s Theorem, distance from base of ladder

to wall is 3 m.

R (→) : F =
S
R (↑): R =
W

Taking moments about X:

1.5W = 4 F

Suppose the ladder can rest in equilibrium in this position. Then

F ≤ µR
1.5W
≤ 0.3 × W
4
3W 3W
≤
8 10
30 ≤ 24

which is false, therefore the assumption that must be false – the ladder cannot be resting in
equilibrium.

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11 b With the brick in place, take moments about X:
1.5W = 4 F so
1.5W 3W
F= =
4 8
which is independent of M, the mass of the brick.

So the smallest value for

12 Let S be the reaction of the wall on the ladder at Q

Let R be the reaction of the ground on the ladder at P
5 5 2
tan α =⇒ sin α = and cos α =
2 29 29
Since the ladder is in limiting equilibrium,
frictional force at the wall = μS = 0.2S.

Taking moments about P:

20 g ×1cos α = S × 4sin α + 0.2 S × 4 × cos α
20 × 2  4 × 5 0.8 × 2 
= g  + S
29  29 29 
40 g = 21.6 S
392
= S = 18.148...
21.6
R(→): F = S
The force F required to hold the ladder still is 18 N (2 s.f.).

13 Since the rod is uniform, the weight acts from the midpoint of AB.

a Take moments about A:

(10 g ×1.5) + ( 5 g × 2 ) =T × 3sin 60

25 g
T=
3sin 60
25 × 9.8 × 2
=T = 94.300...
3 3

The tension in the string is 94.3 N (3s.f.).

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 b Let the horizontal and vertical components of the reaction R at the hinge be Rx and Ry respectively.

Resolving horizontally:

Rx = T cos 60
25 g
Rx = cos 60
3sin 60 

25 g 25 g
=Rx =
3 tan 60 3 3


Resolving vertically upwards:

Ry T sin 60 − 10 g − 5 g
=
25 g
=Ry sin 60 − 15 g
3sin 60 

 25  20 g
 − 15  g =
Ry = −
 3  3

The reaction at the hinge is given by:

2
R
= Rx 2 + Ry 2
2 2
 25 g   20 g 
2
R 
=  +− 
3 3  3 
 625 400  2
R2 
= + g
 27 9 
1825
R
= × 9.8
= 80.570...
27
Ry
tan θ =
Rx
20 g 3 3 4 3
tan θ = × =
3 25 g 5
θ = 54.182...

The reaction at the hinge is 80.6 N acting at 54.2o below the horizontal (both values to 3 s.f.).

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14 Let the horizontal and vertical components or the force at A be X and Y respectively. Let the thrust
in the rod be P.

3
a M( A): 1× P × cos 45
=° 40 g ×
2
60 g
=P = 60 =2 g 830 N (2 s.f.)
cos 45°

b R(→
=) : X P cos
= 45° 60 g
R(↑) : Y + P cos 45° =40 g
Y= 40 g − 60 g = −20 g

resultant
= X 2 +Y2
= 10 g 42 += 22 10 g 40
= 620 N (2 s.f.)

c The lines of action of P and the

weight meet at M, hence the line of
action of the resultant of X and Y
must also pass through M (3 forces
acting on a body in equilibrium).
Therefore the reaction must act
horizontally (i.e. no vertical
component).

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15 tan α = 3 ⇒ sin α = 3 and cos α = 4
4 5 5
u = 0 ms−1, s = 6 m, t = 1.5 s, a =?
s ut + 1 at 2
=
2
9a
6= 0 + 1 a × 1.52 =
2 8
9 16
a =6 × =
8 3

R (  ) : R = 3 g cos α
R ( ) :
F = ma
16
3g sin α − µ R =×
3
3
3g sin α − ( µ × 3g cos α ) =
16
3 4 16
g − µg =
5 5 3
9 g − 12 µ g =
80

=µ
(=
9 × 9.8 ) − 80
0.06972...
12 × 9.8
The coefficient of friction is 0.070 (3s.f.).

( ) : R 5 g cos 30 + 80sin10

16 R=
R ( ) :
ma = F
5a 80 cos10 − 0.4 R − 5 g sin 30
=
5a =80 cos10 − 0.4 ( 5 g cos 30 + 80sin10 ) − 5 g sin 30
a =16 cos10 − 0.4 ( g cos 30 + 16sin10 ) − g sin 30
a = 6.3507...
The acceleration of the particle is 6.53 ms−2 (3s.f.).

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17 Since m2 > µ m1 , when system is released from rest then B moves downwards and A moves towards
the pulley P

For particle A:
R ( ↑ ) : R = µ m1 g
R ( →) :
F = m1a
T − µR =
m1a
T − µ m1 g =
m1a
T m1a + µ m1 g
= (1)

For particle B:
R (↑) :
F = m2 a
m2 g − T =
m2 a
T m2 g − m2 a
= (2)

Since string is inextensible, the values of T are identical, so (1) = (2):

m1a + µ m1 g =m2 g − m2 a
m1a + m2 a = m2 g − µ m1 g
g ( m2 − µ m1 )
a= as required.
m1 + m2

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18 For particle with mass m1 :
R ( )
F = ma
m1
T − m1 g sin 30 =
2
1 
T  + g sin 30  m1
= (1)
2 

For particle with mass m2 :

R ( )
F = ma
m
m2 g sin 45 − T =2
2
 1
 g sin 45 −  m2 = T (2)


 2
Since string is inextensible, T is constant throughout and hence (1) = (2):
1   1
 + g sin 30  m1 =  g sin 45 −  m2


2   2
1 g  g 2 1
 +  m1 =  −  m2
2 2  2 2
m1 g 2 − 1
= as required
m2 1+ g

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