Steps in solving problems in

Newton’s Laws
Steps in Newton’s Laws Problem Solving

1. Draw a Free-Body Diagram showing the forces acting.

2. Resolve the forces into their x and y components
3. Use Newton’s First/Second Law to sum up the forces along the x-axis
and y-axis.
4. Using these equations, solve for the unknowns.
Example

Two masses, m1 and m2 are attached by a light string that passes

through a frictionless pulley as shown in the figure.
a. Find the acceleration of each mass.
b. Find the tension in the string connecting the two masses.
c. Repeat part a) and b) if there is friction between m1 and the surface
and the coefficient of friction is µ.
Step 1. Draw a free body diagram showing the forces
acting
.
 Free-Body diagram is already shown in the figure.
Mass 1. Along the direction of motion (x-axis) only one force is acting
which is the tension, T.
Mass 2. Along the direction of motion (y-axis) forces acting are Tension T
upward and W2 downward.
Step 2. Resolve the forces into their x and y components

Mass 1. T1x = T T 1y = 0

Mass 2. W2x = 0 W2y = -W

• T2x = 0 T 2y = T
Step 3. Use Newton’s First/Second Law to sum up the forces along the x-axis and y-
axis.
c) If there is friction, equation for mass 1 will be
Going back to mass 1, along the y-axis there is no motion
so sum of Fy =0

And n – W1 = 0 where n is the normal force

So that in part c) f = µn = µm1g