NEWTON’S LAWS

Definitions

REMEMBER: Exam markers are very strict when it comes to the

definitions so you will have to know them off by heart!!!

Define normal force, 𝑵, as the force or the component of a force which a surface exerts
on an object with which it is in contact, and which is perpendicular to the surface.

Define frictional force, 𝒇, as the force that opposes the motion of an object, and which
acts parallel to the surface.

Define static frictional force, 𝒇𝒔 , as the force that opposes the tendency of motion of a
stationary object relative to a surface.

Define kinetic frictional force, 𝒇𝒌 , as the force that opposes the motion of a moving object
relative to a surface.

Newton’s Laws of Motion

These laws are very important to know and

UNDERSTAND

(𝐈): A body will remain in its state of rest or motion at constant velocity unless a non-zero
resultant/net force acts on it.

(𝐈𝐈): When a net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force and
the acceleration is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass of the
object.

(𝐈𝐈𝐈): When object A exerts a force on object B, object B SIMULTANEOUSLY exerts an oppositely
directed force of equal magnitude on object A.

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: Each body in the universe attracts every other
body with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between their centres.
Force Diagram

Consider a box with 4 forces acting on it:

Identify the forces that are acting on the object

1
which are indirect contact with the object apart
from gravity.

2 Draw a small block/dot which represents the

object of interest.

Draw a vector (arrow) which represents each

3
force. The direction of the arrow is the direction
of the force.

Object on an Inclined Plane

The weight acting on an object be rendered down into
its components which are parallel and perpendicular
to the slope.

𝑾 ⊥ = 𝒎𝒈 ∙ 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 𝑾// = 𝒎𝒈 ∙ 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽

Determine the frictional force:

𝑓 =𝜇 ∙ 𝑊 ⊥

𝑓 = 𝜇∙𝑁

∴ 𝒇 = 𝝁 ∙ 𝒎𝒈𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
Forces acting at an angle

Like in the scenario with the inclined plane, when there

is a force acting at an angle, render the force down into
its horizontal perpendicular components.

𝑭𝒙 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 𝑭𝒚 = 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽

Determine the frictional force:

𝑓 = 𝜇∙𝑁
𝑓 = 𝜇(𝑁 – 𝐹𝑦 )
𝒇 = 𝝁(𝑵 – 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽)

Determining acceleration of a system

One of the biggest requirements in mechanics is to

solve problems where you are required to determine
the acceleration.

1. Draw force diagrams for EACH component of your image.

2. Choose a direction as positive (any force in the opposite direction

will be NEGATIVE)

3. These problems usually involve tension so therefore make T the

subject of the formula.

4. Do for all parts/blocks of your system

5. Solve for 𝒂
Law of Universal Gravitation

Each body in the universe attracts every other body with

a force that is directly proportional to the product of
their masses and inversely proportional to the square
of the distance between their centres.

Where:
This law can mathematically be 𝑭 = gravitational force (𝑁)
represented as:
𝑮 = gravitational constant
(𝟔, 𝟔𝟕 𝐱 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟏 𝑵. 𝒎𝟐 . 𝒌𝒈−𝟐 )
𝑚1 𝑚2
𝐹𝑔 = G 𝒓 = distance (𝑚)
𝑟2
𝒎 = mass of the objects (𝑘𝑔)

The law of universal gravitation is also used to

determine the gravitational acceleration of a body such
as a planet or moon.

Gravitational acceleration can be

represented as:

𝑀
𝑔 = 𝐺 2
𝑅
The mass and radius of Earth is provided on your
formula sheet.
The mass of other celestial bodies will be provided
 KZN – Paper 1, Nov 2023 (Q3)

A box of mass 75kg lies on a rough surface inclined at an angle of 23° to the
horizontal.

The box is stationary as shown in the diagram below.

3.1 Define the term static frictional force. (2)

3.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram indicating all the forces acting on the box
while it is stationary. (3)

3.3 Calculate the:

3.3.1 The magnitude of the static frictional force. (3)

3.3.2 Coefficient of static friction between the rough surface and the box. (3)

3.4 The rough surface is now tilted at an angle of 18° to the horizontal. How will the
magnitude of the static frictional force now compare to the value calculated in
3.2.1?

Choose from GREATER THAN, EQUAL TO or LESS THAN. (1)

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 KZN – Paper 1, Nov 2023 (Q4)

A light inelastic string connects two blocks A and B of mass of 2kg and 𝒎kg
respectively.

The blocks are pulled up an incline plane that makes and angle of 30° with the
horizontal by a force of a magnitude of 𝐹1 , as shown in the diagram below;

The coefficients of kinetic friction for block A and B are 0,15 and 0,45.

4.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram indicating all the forces acting on Block B
as it moves up the plane. (2)

4.2 State Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion in words. (2)

The blocks accelerate up the incline at 5,72 𝑚. 𝑠 −2 and the tension in the string
joining the two blocks is 18N.

4.3 Calculate the numerical value of m. (5)

The magnitude of force 𝐹1 is now changed to 𝐹2 so that the blocks move up the
inclined plane at CONSANT VELOCITY

4.4 Calculate the magnitude of 𝐹2 . (6)

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 KZN – Paper 1, Nov 2023 (Q5)

A body M; of mass 16 kg and radius 0,10m is placed 1,24m from another body, P, of
mass 48kg and unknown radius as shown in the diagram below:

𝟏, 𝟐𝟒𝒎
M P
16KG 48KG

5.1 State Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation in words. (2)

It is observed that body M exerts a force of magnitude of 2,30 x 10−8 N on body P

when placed as shown in the sketch above.

5.2 Describe the nature of the force.

Choose from ATTRACTIVE or REPULSIVE. (1)

5.3 How does the magnitude of the force which body M exerts on body P, compare
to the magnitude of the force that P exerts on body M?

Choose from EQUAL TO, GREATER THAN or LESS THAN. (1)

5.4 Name and state the relevant Physics law to substantiate the answer to
question 5.3. (3)

5.5 Calculate the radius of body P. (5)

Body P is now replaced by body G which has a mass of 64kg and the same radius
as body P.

5.6 Write down the magnitude of the force now experienced by body M. (2)

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 EC– Paper 1, Nov 2020 (Q3)

A 250 N force is applied on a block of mass 25 kg. The 25 kg block is connected to

a 10 kg block by a light inextensible string through a frictionless pulley as shown on
the diagram below. The 250 N force acts at an angle of 25o to the horizontal so that
the system of blocks accelerates to the left.

The coefficient of kinetic frictional force between the 25 kg block and the surface is
0,15.

3.1 Define the term kinetic frictional force. (2)

3.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram of all forces acting on the 25 kg block. (5)

3.3 Calculate the:

3.3.1 Normal force exerted by the surface on the 25 kg block. (3)

3.3.2 Acceleration of the system of blocks. (7)

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 EC– Paper 1, Nov 2020 (Q4)

Two blocks of masses 1,5 kg and 3,2 kg are connected by a light inextensible string.
A 24 N force is applied on a system of blocks to move them up an inclined surface
which is 25o to the horizontal at a CONSTANT VELOCITY as shown on the diagram
below.

The 1,5 kg box experiences a constant frictional force of 2 N as it moves up the

incline.

4.1 State Newton’s Second Law of Motion in words. (2)

4.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram of all forces acting on the 1,5 kg block. (4)

4.3 Calculate the:

4.3.1 Tension in the string connecting the blocks. (5)

4.3.2 Coefficient of kinetic frictional force between the 3,2 kg block and the
surface (6)

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 EC– Paper 1, Nov 2020 (Q5)

A satellite of mass 1 000 kg is orbiting the earth at a distance of 200 km from the
surface of the earth as shown on the diagram below.

5.1 State Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation in words. (2)

5.2 Calculate the magnitude of the force that the earth exerts on the satellite to
keep it in orbit. (5)

5.3 Calculate the weight of the satellite on the earth surface. (3)

5.4 The same satellite is now orbiting the earth at a distance twice the radius of
the earth from the centre of the earth.

Without any further calculations, determine the force that the earth exerts on
the satellite at the new distance.

Explain how you arrived at your answer. (3)

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