Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion

Previously we discussed how motion is described in terms of velocity and

acceleration (rectilinear motion). Now, we investigate the connection between force
and motion (dynamics).

Sir Isaac Newton was an English Mathematician, Astronomer and Physicist who gave
three laws and explained the relationship between the forces acting on a body and the
motion of the body.

Force as any kind of a push or a pull on an object (ex. Friction and force of gravity).

Note: Forces may act as to cause motion or to prevent motion.

Newton’s three laws are as stated below:

1. An object continues to be under the state of uniform motion unless an external

force act on it.
2. Force is a product of mass and acceleration.
3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Newton’s First Law: Bodies in Equilibrium (Law of Inertia)

Newton's First Law of Motion states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion

unless an external force acts upon it. Similarly, if the object is at rest, it will remain at
rest (inertia) unless an unbalanced force act upon it. Newton's First Law of Motion is
also known as the Law of Inertia.
or

Every object continues in its state of rest, or of uniform motion

in a straight line (inertia), as long as no net force acts on it.

Equilibrium

When a body is in equilibrium the resultant of all forces acting on it is zero. The
first condition for equilibrium can be stated such as when a body is in translational
equilibrium if and only if the vector sum of all the forces acting on that body must be
zero. In other words, the resultant forces acting at any point on the entire body must be
balanced. Using two dimensions it is stated that:

∑F = 0 ; ∑Fx = 0 ; ∑Fy = 0
Ex.1) A 50 kg mass is hang with 2 ropes making angles of 30° and 45° as shown.
Calculate the tension in the 2 ropes.

∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
– T2 cos 45° + T1 cos 30° = 0 T2 sin 45° + T1 sin 30° – 294 = 0
T1 cos 30° = T2 cos 45° T2 sin 45° + (0.816 T2) sin 30° = 294
T1 = T2 (cos 45°/cos 30°) 1.115 T2 = 294
= 0.816 T2 T2 = 294 / 1.115
= 0.816 (263.68) T2 = 263.68 N.
T1 = 215.16 N.

Ex.2) In the arrangement shown, what is the minimum coefficient of friction to prevent
the 8.0 kg mass from sliding?

Given: m1 = 8 kg. W1 = 8 kg.x 9.8 m/s2 = 78 N.

m2 = 4 kg. W2 = 4 kg.x 9.8 m/s2 = 39 N.
 ∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
– F + T1 cos 60° = 0 T1 sin 60° – 39 = 0
T1 = F / cos 60° (2 F) sin 60° = 39
= 2 F = 2(22.51) = 45.02 N. F = 39 / 2 sin 60° = 22.51 N.

22.51
µ = ----------- = 0.29
78

This is the minimum coefficient of friction that will prevent the system from moving.

Ex.3) The cable and boom as shown support a load of 600 lb. Determine the tensile
force T in the cable and the compressive for C in the boom.

∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
– T cos 30° + C cos 45° = 0 T sin 30° + C sin 45° – 600 = 0
T = C (cos 45°/cos 30°) (0.816 C) sin 30° + C sin 45° = 600
= 0.816 C 1.115 C = 600
= 0.816 (538.12) C = 600 / 1.115
T = 439.11 lb. C = 538.12 lb.

Ex.4) The sign board hangs outside the physics classroom, advertising the most
important truth to be found inside. The sign is supported by a diagonal cable and a rigid
horizontal bar. If the sign has a mass of 50 kg, then determine the tension in the
diagonal cable that supports its weight and the force C exerted on the horizontal bar.
Given: m = 50 kg. W = 50 kg. x 9.8 m/s2 = 490 N.

∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
C – T cos 30° = 0 T sin 30° – 490 = 0
C = T cos 30° T sin 30° = 490 N.
= 0.866 T (0.866 T)sin 30° = 490
= 0.866 (1,131.64) 0.433 T = 490
C = 980 N. – force in the horizontal T = 490 / 0.433
bar T = 1,131.64 N. – tensile in the
cable

Newton’s Second Law: Gravitation

Newton's Second Law of Motion states that when a force acts on an object, it will
cause the object to accelerate. The larger the mass of the object, the greater the force
will need to be to cause it to accelerate.
or

Heavier objects require more force to move the same distance

as lighter objects

A force applied to a body is equal to the product of its mass and its acceleration.

∑F = ma ; ∑Fx = mxa ; ∑Fy = mya

where: F = force
 a = acceleration

Ex.1) Mike’s car, which weighs 1,000 kg., is out of gas. Mike is trying to push the car to
a gas station and he makes the car go 0.05 m/s 2, how much force Mike is applying to
the car?

Given: m = 1,000 kg F = ma.

a = 0.05 m/s2 = (1,000 kg.)(0.05 m/s2)
F = 50 N.
Ex.2) (a) How much force is required to give an automobile weighing 1,600 lb. an
acceleration of 8 ft/s2? and (b) How much force is required to give a block whose mass
is 1,600 g. and an acceleration of 8 cm/s2?

(a) Given: W = 1,600 lb. F = ma

a = 8 ft/s2 = (W/g)a
= (1,600 lb / 32.2 ft/s2)(8 ft/s2)
F = 397.52 lb.

(b) Given: m = 1,600 g. F = ma

a = 8 cm/s2 = (1,600 g.)( 8 cm/s2)
F = 12,800 dynes

Ex.3) A body of mass 15 kg. rests on a frictionless horizontal plane and is acted on by a
horizontal force of 30 N. (a) What acceleration is produced?, (b) How far will the body
travel in 10 sec.? and (c) What will be the velocity of the body at the end of 10 sec.?

Given: m = 15 kg. (a) a = F/m = 30 kg-m/s2 / 15 kg.

F = 30 N. a = 2 m/s2

(b) s = Vit + ½ at2 since Vi = 0

= 0 + ½ (2 m/s2)(10 s.)2
s = 100 m.

(c) Vf = Vi + at
= 0 + (2 m/s2)(10 s.)
Vf = 20 m/s

Ex.4) A 5 kg. block is supported by a cord and pulled upward with an acceleration of
2 m/s2. (a) What is the tension in the cord?, (b) After the block has been set in motion
the tension in the cord is reduced to 49 N., what sort of motion will the block perform?
and (c) If the cord is now slackened completely, the block is observed to move up 2 m.
farther before coming to rest, with what velocity was it travelling?

Given: a = 2 m/s2 (a) ∑F = ma

m = 5 kg. T – W = ma
T = W + ma = mg + ma = m (g + a)
= 5 kg.(9.8 + 2) m/s2
T = 59 N.

(b) a = (T – W) / m = (49 – 49) / 5 = 0

The block moves at constant velocity.

(c) s = (Vf2 – Vi2) / 2g since Vf = 0 and s = 2 m.

Vi = √ - 2gs = √ - 2(- 9.8)(2)
Vi = 6.26 m/s
Newton’s Third Law: (Law of Action and Reaction)

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and
opposite reaction force.
or

Every force there is a reaction force that is equal in size, but

opposite in direction. Whenever an object pushes another
object it get pushed back in the opposite direction equally
hard.

Two bodies interact; they apply forces to one another that are equal in magnitude
and opposite in direction. The third law is also known as the law of action and reaction.
This law is important in analyzing problems of static equilibrium, where all forces are
balanced, but it also applies to bodies in uniform or accelerated motion.

The rocket's action is to push down on the ground with the force of its powerful
engines, and the reaction is that the ground pushes the rocket upwards with an
equal force.

Friction: Static and Dynamic Friction

Friction defined as a force that resists the sliding or rolling of one solid object over
another.

Static friction Kinetic or Sliding friction

The force of friction is something you encounter at all the time. Whenever a body moves while it
is in contact with another object, friction forces oppose the relative motion. Suppose you push
a heavy box in order to move to another location. Starting pushing it with a little force initially
and keep increasing the force until it starts to slide. For the box to remain in equilibrium, the
force of friction must always be equal to the force applied. Static friction fs opposes
impending relative motion; kinetic friction fk opposes actual relative motion. They are
independent of the area of contact and satisfy the following approximate laws :

fs ≤ (fs)max = μsN

fk = μkN

where: μs = co-efficient of static friction

μk = co-efficient of kinetic friction

Frictional force that opposes relative motion between surfaces in contact is called
kinetic or sliding friction. 

Static Friction

 Static Friction is when friction is acting on objects that aren’t moving.

 The objects aren’t moving because of friction.
 Example: desk not moving, standing still, pencil laying on desk

Kinetic Friction

 This friction is less powerful than Static friction.

 This will eventually slow down and stop then car.
 It is friction between the wheels and the floor.
 The vehicle has to try to move for as long as possible.
Ex.1) A 400 lb block is resting on a rough horizontal surface for which the coefficient of
friction is 0.40. Determine the force P required to cause motion to impend if applied to
the block (a) horizontally or (b) downward at 30° with the horizontal. (c) What minimum
force is required to start motion?

Given: W = 400 lb.

(a) (b)

∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0 ∑Fx = 0

P–f=0 N –f=0 – f + P cos 30° = 0
P=f N = 400 lb. P cos 30° = f
P = 160 lb. P cos 30° = 0.2 P + 160
0.866 P – 0.2 P = 160
f = µ N = (0.4)(400) = 160 lb. 0.666 P = 160
P = 160 / 0.666
P = 240.24 lb.

∑Fy = 0
N – P sin 30° – 400 = 0
N = P sin 30° + 400

f = µ N = (0.4)( P sin 30° + 400)

= 0.2 P + 160
 c)

ΣFx=0 ΣFy=0
P cos α = 160 – (0.4) P sin α N = 400 – P sin α
P cos α = f
P cos α + (0.4) P sin α = 160 f = μN = (0.4)(400 – P sin α)
(cos α + 0.4 sin α) P = 160 f = 160 − 0.4 P sin α
160
P = ----------------------------
cos α + 0.4 sin α

To minimize P, differentiate then equate to zero,

dP −160 (− sin α + 0.4 cos α)

----- = --------------------------------------- = 0
dα (cos α + 0.4 sin α)2

sin α − 0.4 cos α = 0

sin α = 0.4 cos α
tan α = 0.4
α = 21.80°
 
Minimum value of P
160
Pmin = ---------------------------------------
cos 21.80° + 0.4 sin 21.80°
Pmin = 148.56 lb 

Ex.2) A block is placed on an inclined plane at 35° relative to the horizontal. If the block
slides down the plane with an acceleration of magnitude g/3, determine the coefficient
of kinetic friction block and plane,
Given: a = g/3

∑Fx = ma ∑Fy = 0
mg sin θ – f k = ma N – mg cos θ = 0
mg sin θ – f k = m(g/3) N = mg cos θ
mg sin θ – µk (mg cos θ) = mg/3
g sin θ – µk (g cos θ) = g/3 f k = µk N = µk (mg cos θ)
µk (g cos θ) = g sin θ – g/3
= g (sin θ – 1/3)
µk cos θ = sin θ – 1/3
sin θ – 1/3 sin 35° – 1/3
µk = -------------------- = --------------------- = 0.29
cos θ cos 35°

Ex.3) A 2.0 kg. block is placed on top of a 5.0 kg block as shown. The coefficient of
kinetic friction between the 5.0 kg. block and the surface is 0.20. A horizontal force F is
applied to the 5.0 kg. block. (a) What force accelerates the 2.0 kg. block?, (b) Calculate
the magnitude of the force necessary to pull both blocks to the right with an acceleration
of 3.0 m/s2, (c) Find the minimum coefficient of static friction between the blocks such
that the 2.0 kg. block does not slip under the acceleration of 3.0 m/s2.