2 Forces Notes 2023

Physics Unit 3 2022 Forces
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2. Forces
Study Design
● investigate and apply theoretically and practically Newton’s three laws of motion in situations
where two or more coplanar forces act along a straight line and in two dimensions.
Types of forces
Forces can be divided into two major categories, field forces (much more on this in the next area of
study) and contact forces
Forces that act at a distance are called Forces created by travelling bodies are
FIELD FORCES, (gravitational, called CONTACT FORCES.
electrical or magnetic)
Newton’s Laws
The relationship between a force and the acceleration it causes was first understood by Isaac
Newton (1672 – 1727). Newton summarised all motion by three laws:
Newton’s First Law
Newtons 1st law of motion An important consequence of this law was the
If an object has zero net force acting on realisation that an object can be in motion without a
it, it will remain at rest, or continue force being constantly applied to it. When you throw a
moving with an unchanged velocity. ball, you exert a force to accelerate the ball, but once
it is moving, no force is necessary to keep it moving.
Newton’s first law is commonly tested on the exam. This is achieved by the inclusion of statements
such as “An object is moving with a constant velocity” within questions. Whenever you see the
key words constant velocity in a question, you should highlight them. The realisation that the
object is travelling at a constant velocity, and hence that the net force on the object is zero, will be
essential for solving the problem.
Newton’s Second Law
Newtons 2nd law of motion In words, Newton’s Second Law states that a force on
This law relates to the sum total of the an object causes the object to accelerate (change its
forces on the body (Fnet) the body's mass velocity). The amount of acceleration that occurs
(m) and the acceleration produced (a) depends on the size of the force and the mass of the
a= object. Large forces cause large accelerations.
this is commonly written as Fnet = ma. Objects with large mass accelerate less when they
experience the same force as a small mass. The
Note Fnet must have the same direction acceleration of the object is in the same direction as
as 'a'. the net force on the object.
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Newton’s Third Law

This law is the most commonly misunderstood.
Newtons 3rd law of motion You need to appreciate that these action/reaction
For every action force acting on one object, forces act on DIFFERENT OBJECTS and so you
there is an equal but opposite reaction force do not add them to find a resultant force. For
acting on the other object. example, consider a book resting on a table top as
shown in the diagram below. There are two forces
acting on the book: Gravity is pulling the book
downward and the tabletop is pushing the book upwards. These forces are the same size, and are
in opposite directions but THEY ARE NOT a Newton’s thirds law pair, because they both act on
the same object.
N The best way of avoiding making a mistake using Newton’s third law
is to use the following statement.
W Fon A by B = –Fon B by A
In the example of the book on the table the force on table by book is a Newton third law pair with the
force on book by table. Notice the first force is on the book and the second force is on the table. They do
not act on the same object. Similarly the weight force, which is the gravitational attraction of the
earth on the book, is a Newton third law pair with the gravitational force of the book on the earth.
The gravitational effect of the book on the earth is not apparent because the earth is so massive
that no acceleration is noticeable.
Drawing Force Diagrams

You will often be asked to draw diagrams illustrating forces. There are several considerations when
drawing force diagrams:
● The arrows that represent the forces should point in the direction of applied force. The length of
the arrow represents the strength of the force, so some effort should be made to draw the
arrows to scale.
● An arrow representing a field force should begin at the centre of the object.
● An arrow representing a contact force should begin at the point on contact where the force is
applied.
● All forces should be labelled.
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Some sample force diagrams of common situations are drawn below.
Mass on a string Mass in free flight
mg mg
Velocity v = 0, so T = mg F = mg = ma
Velocity v = constant upwards, so T = mg
Velocity v = constant downwards, so T = mg
Accelerating Upwards, T - mg = ma.
Acceleration Downwards, mg - T = ma.
Mass pulled along a plane

Smooth (No Friction) Rough (Friction)
N a N
a
m T Fr m T
m m
mg mg
T = ma, N + mg = 0 T – Fnet = ma, N + mg = 0
Bodies with parallel forces acting
a a a
F1
m F1 m F2 m F2
m F2 m F1 m
F1 + F2 = ma F2 – F1 = ma F1 + F2 = ma
Bodies with non-parallel forces acting
a a a
F1
F2
m m F1 m
F1
m F2 m m
F2
F1 + F2 = ma
F1 + F2 = ma F1 + F2 = ma
The vectors need to be resolved in order to solve for the acceleration.
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Inclined planes
Another example of forces acting at angles to each other is an object on an incline plane. There
are only three different types of examples of a body on an incline plane without a driving force.
A body accelerating
The component of the weight force acting down the plane is larger then the frictional forces. (This
is also true if there are no frictional forces). For these situations you would take down the plane to
be positive, the reason for this is that the acceleration is down the plane.
Forces perpendicular to the plane
Fnet = mgcos - N
=0
N
Forces parallel to the plane
mg
Fnet = mgsin - F
= ma
Thus the acceleration is down the plane. If

F there is not friction then the acceleration is
gsin
A body travelling at constant speed
This can be the when an object is not changing its speed whilst travelling down an incline or when
the object is at rest on the incline plane.
Forces perpendicular to the

plane
Fnet = mgcos - N
N =0
mg Forces parallel to the plane

Fnet = mgsin - F
=0
F
A body decelerating
For these situations you would choose up the plane to be positive, this is because this is the
direction of acceleration.
Forces perpendicular to the
plane
Fnet = mgcos - N
=0
N
mg
Forces parallel to the plane
Fnet = F - mgsin
= ma
F
Thus the acceleration is up
the plane.
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Connected bodies
Connected bodies can either be linked by a string/rod etc. or they can be touching one another.
They can be horizontal, vertical or both. They can be pushing or pulling. The solution process is
the same for all.
● the string is assumed light and inextensible so its weight can be neglected and
● there is no change in length as the tension varies.
● All masses have the same acceleration and speed, and travel the same distance.
● The tension in the string is the same in both directions
The problems can either be in the horizontal
In the vertical
Or a combination of both horizontal and vertical
Solution process
Horizontal.
Find the ‘driving’ force.
Use F = ma, to find the acceleration of the system.
All components have the same acceleration.
Use this to find the force acting on each component
Vertical
Typically the weight is the ‘driving’ force, even though often there isn’t any movement. Therefore
the net force acting on any component must be zero. Use this to find the forces acting on each
element.
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Combination horizontal and vertical

In these cases, tension forces are pulls exerted by a string
on the bodies to which it is attached.
To solve these problems you need to consider the vertical
direction first.
m1g – T = m1a
The direction of this acceleration must be downwards.
This leads to: T = m1g – m1a
The tension in the string is the same in both directions,
therefore T = m2a.
Since both bodies are connected by an inextensible string, both bodies must have the same
acceleration.
The vertical forces acting on m2, (not shown) cancel each other out, and do not impact on its
motion.
m1 m1m2
g g
Combing these two equations gives a = m1 + m2 T = m1 + m2
Hooke’s Law
Extending a spring is an example of a situation where the force on an object is not constant. As the
spring gets compressed, the force required to further compress it increases. The mathematical
equation that represents this type of situation is called Hooke’s Law
F = -kx
Where F is the magnitude of the force required, x is the extension (or compression) of the spring,
a k is called the spring constant. The minus sign in the equation is to show the vector relationship,
the restoring force is in the opposite direction to the change in length. Typically we will not use the
negative sign as the questions will just want the magnitude of the force.
The typical equations of motion do not apply to springs, because the force, hence acceleration is
not constant.
The spring constant has a specific value for each individual spring. It depends on the size,
thickness and material from which the spring is made. It is very important to use x, as this
demonstrates that you are only interested in the change in the length of the spring.
The equation is illustrated in the graph below
The spring constant ‘k’ is the gradient of the line in the linear region. (Hooke’s law only holds in
the linear region, before the material deforms as it goes beyond its elastic limit).
The spring constant has the units: Newtons per metre, (N m-1).
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This question is from the 2011 exam.
Physics students are conducting an experiment on a spring which is suspended from the ceiling.
Ignore the mass of the spring.
Without the mass attached, the spring has an unstretched length of 40 cm. A mass of 1.0 kg is
then attached. When the 1.0 kg mass is attached, with the spring and mass stationary, the spring
has a length of 70 cm.
Example 2011 Question 16, 2 marks, 55%)
What is the spring constant, k, of the spring?
To find the spring constant use the formula mg = kx.

(always use x, in this case it is 70 – 40 = 30 cm, therefore x = 0.3 m.)
This give 1.0 × 10 = k × 0.30

10
 k = 0.3 = 33.3 N m-1
You must remember to use metres as your default measurement.

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Multiple Choice
Example 1 2015 QLD Question 6, 1 mark
The unit of force, the Newton, is a derived quantity. From which of the fundamental units is it
derived?
A. J, m and s
B. V, m and s
C. C, m and s
D. Kg, m and s
Example 2 1981 Question 6, 1 mark

A girl starts to run in a northerly direction across a floor. The frictional force of the floor on her
shoes is
A in a northerly direction: it is the friction between the floor and her shoes which allows her to
travel in that direction.
B in a southerly direction: friction always acts to oppose motion.
C virtually zero, because the girl is running and not sliding across the floor.
D zero, because action and reaction forces are equal and opposite.

The graph below shows the change in velocity over time for an object.
According to the graph, the object first experienced its maximum force at
A. 0 s.
B. 2 s.
C. 4 s.
D. 6 s.
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Example 4 2001 NSW Question 5, 1 mark

The graph shows the forces experienced by an astronaut during a rocket launch into a stable orbit.
In which time interval was the acceleration of the rocket the greatest?
A. S - T
B. T - U
C. U - V
D. V - W
A metal ring is to be held stationary by three forces that are all pulling on the ring. All the forces are
greater than zero, but their magnitudes are not given. Possible directions of the forces on the ring
are shown in the arrangements below. Only one of these arrangements can hold the ring
stationary.

Identify which one of the arrangements (A – D) shown above could hold the metal ring stationary.

A man of mass m is suspended from a parachute of mass M and descends at a constant speed.
What is the net force acting on the man?
A mg
B mg + Mg
C mg - Mg
D zero
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A golf ball travels a distance of 250 m through the air as the result of a very powerful hit. If it is
travelling to the right, which of the diagrams below gives the best representation of the forces
acting on it when it is at the highest point of its flight, if air resistance needs to be considered.

A pendulum can be used to determine the acceleration due to gravity using the relationship
L
T = 2π g
where T is the period and L is the length of the pendulum.
The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Mars is less than that on Earth.
Which graph relates the variables for the pendulum correctly for both planets?
A. B.
C. D.
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Newton’s third law of motion may be stated as follows: ‘To every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction, or the mutual reactions of two bodies upon each other are always equal and
directed in contrary directions’.
The figure above shows a block being pulled along a rough surface at constant velocity. Fa is the
applied force on the block, Fr the friction force between the block and the surface, W the weight
force on the block and Fc the normal contact force exerted by the surface on the block.
Which pair of forces (A – D) in this situation are action-reaction pairs in the sense of Newton’s
third law?
A W and the gravitational force exerted by the block on the earth.
B Fa and Fr .
C W and Fc .
D none of these.

A decoration is hung from two strings, as shown.
What is the approximate mass of the decoration?

A. 4·2 × 10–2 kg
B. 4·8 × 10–2 kg
C. 4·1 × 10–1 kg
D. 4·7 × 10–1 kg
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A block of mass m kg is held stationary on a frictionless incline of 30° by a force parallel to the
incline.
The magnitude of F is
A. mg
B. mg sin 30°
C. mg cos 30°
mg
D. cos 30o

A cyclist is accelerating downhill with his brakes off. Which arrow (A – F) best represents the
direction of the force of the road on the bicycle?
The cyclist now brakes so that his speed is constant.

The mass of the cyclist is m; the road makes an angle θ with the horizontal. The magnitude of the
vector sum of all forces acting on the cyclist is
A. mg
B. mg cos θ
C. mg sin θ
D. zero

Which arrow (A – F) now best represents the direction of the force of the road on the bicycle?
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Two masses joined by a string are pulled along a horizontal, frictionless surface, as shown in the
diagram below.
What is the tension in the string joining the masses?

A. 4·0 N
B. 8·0 N
C. 12 N
D. 20 N

The relationship between force and extension for a spring is given by the equation
F = k ∆x
where F is force and x is displacement. The units of k are therefore
A. kg s.
B. kg m s.
C. kg s–2.
D. kg m s2.
Extended questions
A car has a maximum acceleration of 3.0 m s-2. What would its maximum acceleration be while
towing a car twice its own mass?
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The figure below appeared in a newspaper featuring skydiving from an aircraft. In this particular
example the total mass of the skydiver and equipment is 100 kg. The skydiver jumps from a height
of 3000 m above the ground and reaches a constant terminal velocity of 190 km h-1 in a time of
15 s. She then falls at this constant speed of 190 km h-1 for a further 35 s before opening the
parachute.
Example 18 1998 Question 2, 3 marks

On the set of axes, sketch a graph of the motion of the skydiver for the first 50 s of falling. (Air
resistance cannot be neglected.)

Explain why the speed remains constant between 15 s and 50 s of the motion.
A 1.0 kg mass is suspended from a spring balance which is attached to the roof of a lift. The
balance is graduated in newton and reads 10 N when the lift is stationary.
What is the reading of the spring balance when the lift moves up with an acceleration of 2.0 m s-2?

What is the reading of the spring balance when the lift moves up with an upward constant velocity
of 2.0 m s-1?
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The graph above gives the velocity-time relationship for a block of mass 4.0 kg which slides across
a rough, horizontal floor, coming to rest after 1.0 s.
What is the magnitude of the frictional force of the floor on the block?

What is the magnitude of the frictional force of the block on the floor?
Two students are discussing the forces on the tyres of a car. Both agree that there must be a
friction force acting on the tyres of a car. The first student claims that the friction force acts to
oppose the motion of the car and slow it down, for example, when braking. The second student
claims that friction acts in the direction of motion as a driving force to speed the car up when
accelerating.
On the diagram of the front-wheel drive car in the figure below, clearly show all the forces acting
on the tyres of the car when it is accelerating forwards in a straight line. Use arrows for the force
vectors to show both the magnitude and point of action of the different forces.
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On the diagram of the same car below clearly show all the forces acting on the tyres of the car
when it is braking in a straight line. Use arrows for the force vectors to show both the magnitude
and point of action of the different forces.
A mass of 5.00 kg is supported by two strings. AO is horizontal and OB is at 20° to the horizontal.
Example 26 2009 QLD Question 3, 3 marks

What is the tension in the string AO?
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A 2150 kg vehicle is parked on a frictionless slope at an angle of 30.0°. What force is being
applied by the vehicle’s brakes?

A 2 kg mass sits on a horizontal surface and has to be pushed with a force of 10 N in the
horizontal direction before friction is overcome and it begins to move. At what angle would the
surface need to be tilted before the mass would begin to slide down the surface under gravity?
Two masses A and B are accelerated together along a smooth surface by a force of 48 N, as
shown above. The acceleration of A and B is 4.0 m s-2.
The mass of A is 4.0 kg
What is the mass of B?

What is the magnitude of the force exerted by A on B?
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What is the magnitude of the force exerted by B on A?
The bodies are now accelerated together along a smooth surface in the opposite direction by a
force of 48 N, as shown below.

What now is the magnitude of the force exerted by B on A?
Example 33 2012 Question 4a, 2 marks

Two metal spheres hang from the ceiling as shown below. Cable A runs between the ceiling and
the upper sphere of mass 2.0 kg. Cable B runs between the 2.0 kg sphere and the 1.0 kg sphere.
Assume that the cables have no mass.
State the force (magnitude and direction) that cable A applies to the 2.0 kg sphere.
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Force magnitude N
Force direction
Example 34 2012 Question 4b, 2 marks

Newton’s third law is sometimes stated as ‘To every action there is an equal and opposite
reaction’. If the weight (the gravitational force by Earth) of the 2.0 kg sphere is taken as the ‘action’
force, identify the corresponding ‘reaction’ force and give its direction.
A car of mass 800 kg is towed along a straight road so that its velocity changes uniformly from
10 m s-1 to 20 m s-1 in a distance of 200 m. The frictional force is constant at 500 N.
Calculate the acceleration of the car.

What is the magnitude of the net force on the car during this 200 m?

What is the magnitude of the force exerted on the car by the towing vehicle?

When the speed of 20 m s-1 is reached, the towing force is adjusted so that the car now moves at
constant velocity. What is now the magnitude of the towing force?
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The figure shows a car of mass 1600 kg towing a boat and trailer of mass 1200 kg.
The driver changes the engine power to maintain a constant speed of 72 km h-1 on a straight road.
The total retarding force on the car is 1400 N and on the boat and trailer 1200 N.
Calculate the driving force exerted by the car at this speed.
To overtake another car the driver accelerates at a constant rate of 1.20 m s-2 from 72 km h-1 until
reaching 108 km h-1
Calculate the distance covered during this acceleration.

Calculate the tension in the coupling between the car and trailer during the acceleration. (Assume
the same retarding forces of 1400 N and 1200 N respectively.)
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A block of mass M2 is held at rest on a horizontal frictionless table. A string is attached to a mass
M1 over a light frictionless pulley as shown below.

What is the tension in the string while the block is being held?
Two physics students are conducting an experiment in which a block, m1, of mass 0.40 kg is being
pulled by a string across a frictionless surface. The string is attached over a frictionless pulley to
another mass, m2, of 0.10 kg. The second mass, m2, is free to fall vertically. This is shown below.
The block is released from rest.

What is the acceleration of the block m1?
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A mass M1 is accelerated from rest at X along a horizontal frictionless surface by a tight string
passing over a frictionless pulley and attached to mass M2.
M2 falls from its rest position a distance, d, where it strikes the floor. g is the acceleration due to
gravity.
What is the acceleration of M1 in the section XY?

What is the speed of M1 at Y?
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Figure A shows an ideal spring with a 2.0 kg mass attached. The spring-mass system is held so
that the spring is not extended. The mass is gently lowered and the spring stretches until, in
Figure B, the spring-mass system is at rest. The spring has extended by 0.40 m.
What is the value of the spring constant, k, of the spring?
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Solutions Example 6 1981 Question 5, 67%

Multiple choice The man and the parachute are travelling at
a constant speed, so the net force acting on
Example 1 2015 QLD Question 6 the man is zero
Use F = ma,  D (ANS)
Therefore F = mass × distance ÷ time2.
 kg, m and s Example 7 1984 Question 23, 32%
 D (ANS) With air resistance, there are now two forces
acting on the golf ball its weight, and air
Example 2 1981 Question 6, 30% resistance in the opposite direction to the
Initially the girls’ velocity was zero, she runs motion. (to the left).
in a northerly direction. Therefore her  D (ANS)
acceleration is in a northerly direction.
(Consider , acceleration is in the direction of Example 8 2018 NSW Question 14
the change in velocity, and change in
velocity is final velocity minus initial velocity). L
The force, which is the friction between the From T = 2π g
floor and the shoe must be in this same Rearrange the equation to get
direction. g
L= 4π 2 T2
We understand that friction opposes motion,
The graph will be parabolic with the
so to walk forwards you need to push back
steepness depending on ‘g’.
on the floor. So the friction will oppose this
 C (ANS)
and push forwards.
 A (ANS)
Example 9 1985 Question 17, 3%
Example 3 2018 QLD Question 2 Newton’s third law states that
The maximum force occurs when the Fon A by B = - Fon B by A
magnitude of the gradient is greatest. Hence The weight of an object can be written as
when the line is steepest. Fon mass by Earth.
This occurs at t = 4 s. From an action reaction pair perspective, this
 C (ANS) means that the opposite to the weight is:
Fon Earth by mass.
Example 4 2001 NSW Question 5  A (ANS)
Use F = ma,
Example 10 2000 NSW Question 5, 56%
Therefore the acceleration is greatest when
the Force is greatest.
U–V
 C (ANS)

Force is a vector, so the magnitude of the
force and the direction of the force need to
be taken into consideration.
B is the only option that would allow the
vectors to sum to zero.
A, C and D will all have a net force in the
The forces acting in the vertical direction are
vertical direction.
mg downwards and both 0.24 cos 60o and
 B (ANS) 0.4 cos 30o.
These must sum to zero, as the decoration
is not accelerating.
 mg = 0.24 cos 60o + 0.4 cos 30o.
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 mg = 0.12 + 0.3464  N (kg m s-2) = k × m.

 mg = 0.4664  k = kg s-2
 m = 0.048 kg  C (ANS)
 B (ANS)
Example 11 2009 QLD Question 3 Extended questions

F
Using a = m , the maximum acceleration is
caused by the maximum force that the car
can exert on the road, (hence the maximum
force that the road will exert on the car to
accelerate the car).
If Fmax is fixed, then tripling the mass will
From the diagram, the two forces acting 1
along the slope are F and mg sinθ. result in 3 the original acceleration.
Since the block is stationary, these must be  1 m s-2 (ANS)
equal and opposite.
 F = mg sin θ Example 18 1998 Question 2, 70%
 B (ANS)

The force of the road on the bicycle is
always perpendicular to the surface of the
road.
 C (ANS)
The road cannot push sideways. to get full marks your graph had to show:
that the terminal velocity was reached after
Example 13 1976 Question 10, 54% 15 sec
the velocity increased from 0 to 190 km/hr in
Since the speed is constant the acceleration the first 15 secs
must be zero. that there was a smooth transition from
 D (ANS) acceleration to a terminal velocity where the
acceleration was zero.
The sum of the forces must be zero, Example 19 1998 Question 3, 47%
therefore the force of the road on the bicycle Constant speed (velocity) implies a net force
must be the sum of the normal reaction (C) of zer At terminal velocity, the air resistance
and the frictional force on the tyres (A). (upwards) is equal
 B (ANS) in magnitude but opposite in direction to the
weight force (downwards).
Example 15 1998 NSW Question 1, 72% It is always a good idea to include a diagram
in this type of answer.
The system is going to accelerate due to the
20 N force acting on the total mass of 5.0 kg.
Therefore the acceleration is 4.0 m s-2.
This means that the 2.0 kg mass is
accelerating at 4.0 m s-2. Therefore a net
force of 8 N must be acting on it. This is
supplied by the tension in the string.
 B (ANS)
Example 16 2018 QLD Question 6

Use F = k ∆x
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The net force acting on the car MUST be in

the direction of the acceleration. This net
force can only come from the frictional
contact between the tyres and the road. You
Example 20 1980 Question 14, 68% need to remember that the frictional forces
oppose the motion, but in this case, to get the
The net force to accelerate a 1.0 kg mass at
car to move forwards the tyre actually wants
2.0 m s-2 is 2 N.
to move backwards at ground level.
To overcome the weight, the spring balance
needs to supply a 10 N force.
Therefore the total force required to
accelerate the mass upwards at 2.0 m s-2
will be 10 + 2 =12 N
 12 N (ANS)

If everything is moving up at a constant
velocity, then the spring balance only needs
to overcome the weight (otherwise the mass
would fall to the floor of the lift). The net force acting on the car MUST be in
 10 N (ANS) the direction of the acceleration. This net
force can only come from the frictional
Example 22 1986 Question 1 contact between the tyres and the road.
Since the car is decelerating the net force
Using Fnet = ma, we need to find ‘a’.
must be in the opposite direction to the
The acceleration is the gradient of the
motion.
velocity-time graph.
The question asks for the magnitude. The
Δv −5
gradient is: Δt = 1
a = -5
Therefore F = 4 × 5
F = 20 N (ANS)
Example 23 1986 Question 2

This is equal to (in magnitude), but in the
opposite direction to the force of the floor on
the block.
F = 20 N (ANS)
The system is in equilibrium.
Vertically.
mg = T sin 20o
 5 × 9.8 = T × 0.342
 T = 143.27 N
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Horizontally
TAO = T cos 20
 TAO = 143.27 × 0.9397
 TAO = 134.6
 TAO = 135 N (ANS)
The vehicle’s brakes are opposing the

component of the weight down the slope.
 Fbrakes = mg sin 30o
 Fbrakes = 2150 × 9.8 × 0.5
 Fbrakes = 10 535 N
 Fbrakes = 10.4 kN (ANS)

This implies that the frictional force is 10 N
2 × 9.8 × sin
 10 = 2 × 9.8 × sin θ θ
 sin θ = 0.5102
 θ = 30.7
 θ = 31o (ANS)

Using F = ©m × a
We get 48 = (4 + B) × 4
 12 = 4 + B
 B = 8 kg (ANS)

The force that A exerts on B is the force that
accelerates B.
Using Fnet = ma
F=8×4
 Fon B by A = 32 N (ANS)
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Example 31 1979 Question 10, 71% Example 37 1977 Question 3, 72%

This is the classic example of Newton’s third The towing car also needs to overcome the
law. frictional forces.
Fon A by B = - Fon B by A  Ftowing car = 600 + 500
We are asked for the magnitude,  Ftowing car = 1100 N (ANS)
 Fon A by B = 32 N (ANS)
Since the speed is constant, the net force
Since the force is the same as before and must equal zero. The magnitude of the net
the total mass hasn’t changed, the force is the same as the magnitude of the
acceleration will also be 4.0 m s-2. frictional force
Therefore to accelerate 4.0 kg at 4.0 m s-2 F = 500 N (ANS)
requires a force of 16 N
 FB on A = 16 N (ANS) Example 39 2004 Question 1, 70%
Since the speed is constant, the net force is
Example 33 2012 Question 4a, 75%
zero. Hence the driving force exerted by the
Cable A is supporting both masses. car must equal the sum of the resistive
The net force on the 2.0 kg sphere is zero. forces.
Therefore the tension in cable A is equal and  1400 + 1200 = 2600 N (ANS)
opposite to the weight of both spheres.
∴ T = (1.0 + 2.0) × 10 Example 40 2004 Question 2, 73%
∴T = 30 N (ANS) The tension in the coupling (towbar) is the
The direction of this force is UP. only force acting forwards on the trailer. The
net force on the trailer must give rise to its
Example 34 2012 Question 4b, 15% acceleration.
Newton’s third law can be written in the form; Using Fnet = ma
FA on B = -FB on A gives F = 1200  1.20
Then the weight of sphere is = 1440 N.
FEarth on Sphere This gives the net force acting on the trailer to
In terms of Newton’s action and reaction pairs, be 1440 (to provide the acceleration) and
the ‘reaction’ will be 1200 (to overcome friction)
FSphere on Earth UP (ANS)  Tension = 1200 + 1440
This question was done very poorly, 15%, so = 2640 N (ANS)
ensure that you understand the concepts
underlying the answer. Example 41 2004 Question 3, 37%
You need to convert both the 72 km h-1 and
108 km h-1 to m s-1.
Use v2 = u2 + 2ax This is done by dividing by 3.6. (This should
 202 = 102 + 2x a × 200 be on your cheat sheet)
 400 = 100 + 400a  72 km h-1 = 20 m s-1
 300 = 400a and 108 km h-1 = 30 m s-1.
 a = 0.75 ms-2 (ANS) Use v2 = u2 + 2ax
2 2
 30 = 20 + 2 × 1.20 × x
 900 – 400 = 2.4 × x
The net force is found from Fnet = ma 500
 F = 800 × 0.75  2.4 = 208 m (ANS)
 F = 600 N (ANS)
32 of 32
Example 42 1983 Question 6, 84% You must ALWAYS use x, to remind
yourself that it is the extension of the spring,
not the length of the spring that is used in
calculations.
2.0 × 10 = k × 0.40
 k = 50 N m-1 (ANS)
Since the block is being held, M1 is

stationary, and going to remain stationary,
therefore the net force acting on it is zero.
 T = M1g

The weight of m2 will cause both blocks to
accelerate at the same rate.
Using ΣF = (m1 + m2)a
gives 0.1 × 9.8 = (0.4 + 0.1)a
 0.98 = 0.5 × a
 a = 1.96
 a = 2 m s-2 (ANS)

As the two blocks are connected by a string,
they are going to both have the same
acceleration when released.
The net force acting on Block M2 is given by
4g – T = 4a
The net force acting on Block M1 is given by
T = 1a
Substituting for T gives 4g – a = 4a
 4g = 4a + a
 4g = 5a
4×10
a= 5
8 m s-2 (ANS)

Use v – u = 2ax
2 2
 v2 – 0 = 2 × 8 × 1
 v2 = 16
 v = 4 m s-1 (ANS)

When the spring has extended 0.40 m, the
mass is in equilibrium.
mg = kx.

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Physics Unit 3 2022 Forces

Newton’s First Law

Newton’s Second Law

Newton’s Third Law

Drawing Force Diagrams

Some sample force diagrams of common situations are drawn below.

Mass on a string Mass in free flight

Mass pulled along a plane

T = ma, N + mg = 0 T – Fnet = ma, N + mg = 0

Bodies with parallel forces acting

Thus the acceleration is down the plane. If

Forces perpendicular to the

mg Forces parallel to the plane

The problems can either be in the horizontal

Or a combination of both horizontal and vertical

Combination horizontal and vertical

The equation is illustrated in the graph below

This question is from the 2011 exam.

To find the spring constant use the formula mg = kx.

This give 1.0 × 10 = k × 0.30

You must remember to use metres as your default measurement.

Example 2 1981 Question 6, 1 mark

Example 3 2018 QLD Question 2, 1 mark

Example 4 2001 NSW Question 5, 1 mark

Example 5 2012 Question 3, 1 mark

Example 6 1981 Question 5, 1 mark

Example 7 1984 Question 23, 1 mark

Example 8 2018 NSW Question 14, 1 mark

A W and the gravitational force exerted by the block on the earth.

Example 10 2000 NSW Question 5, 1 mark

What is the approximate mass of the decoration?

Example 11 2009 QLD Question 3, 1 mark

Example 12 1976 Question 9, 1 mark

The cyclist now brakes so that his speed is constant.

Example 14 1976 Question 11, 1 mark

Example 15 1998 NSW Question 1, 1 mark

What is the tension in the string joining the masses?

Example 16 2018 QLD Question 6, 1 mark

Example 18 1998 Question 2, 3 marks

Example 19 1998 Question 3, 3 marks

Example 21 1980 Question 15, 1 mark

Example 23 1986 Question 2, 1 mark

Example 25 2004 Question 9, 2 marks

Example 26 2009 QLD Question 3, 3 marks

Example 27 2010 QLD Question 3, 3 marks

Example 28 2016 QLD Question 2, 3 marks

Example 30 1979 Question 9, 1 mark

Example 31 1979 Question 10, 1 mark

Example 32 1979 Question 11, 1 mark

Example 33 2012 Question 4a, 2 marks

Example 34 2012 Question 4b, 2 marks

Example 36 1977 Question 2, 1 mark

Example 37 1977 Question 3, 1 mark

Example 38 1977 Question 4, 1 mark

Example 41 2004 Question 3, 3 marks

Example 42 1983 Question 6, 1 mark

The block is released from rest.

Example 45 1986 Question 22, 1 mark