CHAPTER 4:

Forces

1
 Overview:
Forces

Basic forces and free Newton’s law of

body diagram motion

Identification Free body Static and kinetic

of forces diagram frictions

Newton’s Newton’s Newton’s Applications of

1st law 2nd law 3rd law Newton’s laws
for linear motion

2
Learning Outcome:
4.1 Basic of forces and free body diagram
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Identify the forces acting on a body in different situations:
 Weight

 Tension

 Normal Force

 Frictional force

 External force (pull or push)

 Sketch free body diagram.

 Determine static friction and kinetic friction.
f s = µs N , f k = µk N

3
L
4.0 Force
 is defined as something capable of changing
state of motion or size or dimension of a body .

 a vector quantity.

 The S.I. unit of force, F is Newton, N

4
L
4.1 Basic of forces and free body diagram
4.1.1 Basic of forces

Weight, W
 is defined as the force exerted on a body under gravitational
field.
 It is a vector quantity.
 It is dependant on where it is measured, because the value
of g varies at different localities on the earth’s surface.
 It always directed toward the centre of the earth or in the
same direction of acceleration due to gravity, g.
 The S.I. unit is Newton (N).
Equation:

 
W = mg
5
L
Case 1: Horizontal surface
 An object lies at rest on a flat horizontal surface as shown in
Figure 4.6.

Figure 4.6
 
W = mg
Case 2 : Inclined plane
 An object lies at rest on a rough inclined plane as shown in
Figure 4.7.

θ
Figure 4.7  
W = mg 6
L Case 3: Hanging object
 An object is hang by using a light string as shown in Figure 4.8.

Figure 4.8  
Case 4: Pulley W = mg

W1 = m1 g

Figure 4.9 W2 = m2 g
7
 
Tension in the string/rope/cabel , T

o is defined as the pulling force that is directed

away from the object and attempts to stretch
or elongate the object.
o It is a vector quantity.
o The S.I. unit is Newton (N).

Case 1: Horizontal surface

 Consider a box of mass m is pulled by using a light string
along a horizontal surface as shown in Figure 4.10.

T

Figure 4.10

8
L Case 2 : Hanging object


T

Figure 4.11

T1 T2
T3

Figure 4.12
9
Case 3 : Pulley


T

T
 
T 1 kg
T
4 kg

Figure 4.13 Figure 4.14 10

10
  
Normal force (reaction force), N or R

 is defined as a reaction force that exerted by the surface to

an object interact with it and the direction always
perpendicular to the surface.
L  It is a vector quantity.
 The S.I. unit is Newton (N).

Case 1: Horizontal surface


N Block B
NB

 NA Block A
N
Figure 4.14 Figure 4.15 Figure 4.16

11
L
Case 2: Inclined plane Case 4: Hanging Object

N

θ Figure 4.19

Figure 4.17
No contact surface
Case 3: Wall
So, no normal reaction
force


N

Figure 4.18
12
 
Frictional force, f
 is defined as a force that resists the motion of one surface
L relative to another with which it is in contact.
 is independent of the area of contact between the two surfaces.
 is directly proportional to the reaction force.
OR f ∝N
where f : frictional force
f = µN μ : coefficient of friction
N : reaction force
 Coefficient of friction, µ
 is defined as the ratio between frictional force to reaction
force.
f
OR µ=
N
 is a quantity without unit and depends on the nature of the
surfaces.
13
L
 There are two types of frictional force :
 Static, fs (frictional force act on the object before its move)
f s = µs N
 Kinetic, fk (frictional force act on the object when its move)
f k = µk N
 Kinetic frictional force is less than static frictional force,
fk < fs
 coefficient of kinetic friction is less than coefficient static
frictional force, µ k < µ s

a

fs F fs F fk F
Rough surface Rough surface Rough surface

Object at rest Object start to move Object move

Figure 4.20 Figure 4.21 Figure 4.22

14
Caution:

o The direction of the frictional force exerted by a surface on an

object is always in the opposite direction of the motion.

o The frictional and the reaction forces are always

perpendicular.

o The frictional force is always parallel to the surface.

o If the object is static due to friction, direction of friction can be

determined from tendency of motion.

Figure 4.23 Figure 4.24

15
L Case 1: Horizontal surface
 Consider a box of mass m is pulled along a rough horizontal
surface by a horizontal force, F as shown in Figure 4.25
a 
fk F
Rough surface
Figure 4.25
Case 2: Inclined plane
 Consider a box of mass m is at rest on a rough inclined plane as
shown in Figure 4.26.

fk

Figure 4.26
θ
16
L  
Push or Pull (External Force), F OR Fext

 Another force which may act on an object could be any physical

push or pull.
Case 1: Push

i) F object

Figure 4.27

ii) 
F

object

Figure 4.28

17
L
Case 2: Pull

i)
F
object

Figure 4.29


ii)
F
object

Figure 4.30

Note:
External force: An object cannot exert force on itself.

18
T 4.1.2 Free body diagram
 is defined as a diagram showing the chosen body by itself,
with vectors drawn to show the magnitude and directions of
all the forces applied to the body by the other bodies that
interact with it.

Caution: All arrow must be drawn outward

Example 4.1 :
Sketch free body diagrams for each case.

Case 1: Horizontal surface

a. An object lies at rest on a flat horizontal surface.

N
m

Figure 4.31
 
W = mg
19
T
b. A box is pulled along a rough horizontal surface by a horizontal

force, F.  N
a  a 

m F f F
Figure 4.32
 
Case 2: Inclined plane W = mg

A box is slides down a rough inclined plane with acceleration, a
 
a N

a

f

Figure 4.33  
θ W = mg 20
T
Case 3: Hanging object using the cable/string/rope
a. 
T
m

Figure 4.34
 
W = mg
b. 
T2
m 
T1
Figure 4.35

 
W = mg 21
T
Case 4: Pulley
a. m1: m2:
 
T T
 
a a
m1 
m1 g 
m2 g
m2 Figure 4.36

b. m1: m2:
m1  
a T
smooth N 
T 
a
 
m2 m1 g m2 g
Figure 4.37 22
Learning Outcome:
4.2 Newton’s laws of motion
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 State Newton’s Law of motion.
 Apply Newton’s Law of motion.

23
L
4.2 Newton’s laws of motion
4.2.1 Newton’s first law of motion
 states “an object at rest will remain at rest, or
continues to move with uniform velocity in a
straight line unless it is acted upon by a external
forces”
OR
 
Fnett = ∑ F =0
 The first law gives the idea of inertia.

Inertia
 is defined as the tendency of an object to resist
any change in its state of rest or motion.
 is a scalar quantity.

24
L
 Figures 4.38 and 4.39 show the examples of real experience of
inertia.

Figure 4.38

Figure 4.39
25
L
Mass, m
 is defined as a measure of a body’s inertia.

 is a scalar quantity.

 The S.I. unit of mass is kilogram (kg).

 The value of mass is independent of location.

 If the mass of a body increases then its inertia will

increase.

mass ∝ inertia

26
L
4.2.2 Equilibrium of a particle

 is defined as the vector sum of all forces acting on a particle

(point) must be zero.
 The equilibrium of a particle ensures the body in translational
equilibrium and its condition is given by
 
∑ F = Fnett = 0 Newton’s first law
of motion

 This is equivalent to the two independent scalar equations

along the direction of the coordinate axes,

∑F x = 0 , ∑ Fy = 0
 There are two types of equilibrium of a particle. It is
 Static equilibrium (v=0)⇒ body remains at rest (stationary).
 Dynamic equilibrium (a=0)⇒ body moving at a uniform
(constant) velocity.
27
T 4.2.3 Polygon of forces

Case 1:
 A particle in equilibrium as a result of two forces acting on it as
shown in Figure
 4.40 
F2 F1
Figure 4.40
 They are equal in magnitude but opposite in the direction, thus

∑F = F 1 − F2 = 0 i.e. ∑F x = 0 OR ∑F
y =0

Case 2: 
 A particle in equilibrium as a result of
F3
three forces acting on it as shown in
Figure 4.41

Figure 4.41
F1

F2
28
T

 
They are form a closed triangle of forces, thus
F1    
  ∑ F = F1 + F2 + F3 = 0
F2 
F3 i.e. ∑F x = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0 F3
Case 3:
 A particle in equilibrium as a result of  
four forces acting on it as shown in F4 F2
Figure 4.42 
F1
Figure 4.42

 They will form a closed polygon of forces, thus

    
∑

 F4  F = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 = 0
F3
F1

i.e. ∑F x = 0 and ∑F y =0
F2 29
T
4.2.4 Problem solving strategies for equilibrium of
a particle
 The following procedure is recommended when dealing with
problems involving the equilibrium of a particle:
 Sketch a simple diagram of the system to help
conceptualize the problem.
 Sketch a separate free body diagram for each body.

 Choose a convenient coordinate axes for each body and

construct a table to resolve the forces into their
components.
 Apply the condition for equilibrium of a particle in
component form :
∑ F = 0 and
x ∑ y F =0

 Solve the component equations for the unknowns.

30
T Example 4.2 :

A load of 250 kg is hung by a crane’s cable. The load is pulled by a

horizontal force such that the cable makes a 30° angle to the
vertical plane. If the load is in the equilibrium, calculate
a. the magnitude of the tension in the cable,
b. the magnitude of the horizontal force. (Given g =9.81 m s−2)
Solution : m = 250 kg Free body diagram of the load :


30 
T Ty
30  
60 F


F Tx

mg
31
T Solution : m = 250 kg
1st method :
a. Force x-component (N) y-component (N)

mg

0 − mg = −(250 )(9.81)
 = −2453
F F 0

T − T cos 60 T sin 60
Since the load is in the equilibrium, then
∑F = 0
Thus
∑ Fx = 0 F − T cos 60  = 0 (1)

∑F y =0 T sin 60  − 2453 = 0
T = 2833 N (2)
b. By substituting eq. (2) into eq. (1), therefore
F − (2833 )cos 60  = 0 F = 1417 N
32
T
Solution : m = 250 kg
2nd method :
a. Since the load is in the equilibrium, then a closed triangle of
forces can be sketched as shown below.

 From the closed triangle of forces, hence

 30 T
mg

mg
= cos 30
(250 )(9.81) = cos 30 
T T
 T = 2833 N
F
b. F F
= sin 30  = sin 30 
T 2833
F = 1417 N

33
T
Example 4.3 :

F2 = 20 N F1 = 12 N

30.0  55.0
A
45.0

F3 = 30 N
Figure 4.43
Calculate the magnitude and direction of a force that balance the
three forces acted at point A as shown in Figure 4.43

34
T
Solution : F1 = 12 N; F2 = 20 N; F3 = 30 N
Force x-component (N) y-component (N)
 12 cos 55.0 12 sin 55.0
F1
= 6.88 = 9.83
 − 20 cos 30.0 20 sin 30.0
F2
= −17.3 = 10.0
 − 30 cos 45.0
F3 − 30 sin 45.0
= −21.2 = −21.2

F Fx Fy
To find a force to balance the three forces means the system must
be in equilibrium hence

∑F x =0
6.88 − 17.3 − 21.2 + Fx = 0
Fx = 31.6 N
35
T
Solution :
∑F y=0
9.83 + 10.0 − 21.2 + Fy = 0
Fy = 1.37 N
The magnitude of the force,

F= (Fx )2 + (Fy )2 = (31.6)2 + (1.37 )2

F = 31.6 N
and its direction,
−1 
Fy 
θ = tan   y
 Fx 
−1  1.37
 
θ = tan   F
 31.6  2.48
θ = 2.48 x

36
T
Example 4.4 :

F

50.0

Figure 4.44
A window washer pushes his scrub brush up a vertical window at
constant speed by applying a force F as shown in Figure 4.44.
The brush weighs 10.0 N and the coefficient of kinetic friction is
µk= 0.125. Calculate
a. the magnitude of the force F ,
b. the normal force exerted by the window on the brush.
37
T
Solution : W = 10.0 N; μk = 0.125
a. The free body diagram of the brush :
 Force x-component (N) y-component (N)
constant
F 
F F cos 50.0 F sin 50.0
speed
 50.0 
N W 0 − 10.0
 
fk N −N 0
 
W − μk N
fk 0 = −0.125 N
The brush moves up atconstant speed (a=0) so that

∑ F = ma = 0
Thus
∑ Fx = 0 N = F cos 50.0 (1)

∑F y =0 F sin 50.0 − 0.125 N = 10.0 (2)

38
T
Solution :
a. By substituting eq. (1) into eq. (2), thus
( )
F sin 50.0 − 0.125 F cos 50.0 = 10.0
F = 14.6 N
b. Therefore the normal force exerted by the window on the brush
is given by
N = F cos 50.0
N = (14.6 )cos 50.0
N = 9.39 N

39
Exercise 4.1 :
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s−2
1.

Figure 4.45

The system in Figure 4.31 is in equilibrium, with the string at the

centre exactly horizontal. Calculate
a. the tensions T1, T2 and T3.
b. the angle θ.
ANS. : 49 N, 28 N, 57 N; 29°
40
2.

Figure 4.46
A block of mass 3.00 kg is pushed up against a wall by a force
P that makes a 50.0 ° angle with the horizontal as show in
Figure 4.46. The coefficient of static friction between the block
and the wall is 0.250. Determine the possible values for the
magnitude of P that allow the block to remain stationary.
ANS. : 31.8 N; 48.6 N

41
L
4.2.5 Newton’s second law of motion
 states “the rate of change of linear momentum of a
moving body is proportional to the resultant force
and is in the same direction as the force acting on
it”
OR

 dp
∑ F ∝ dt

where ∑ F : resultant force

dp : change in linear momentum
dt : time interval

42
L
 From the Newton’s 2nd law of motion, it also can be written as
 dp
∑ F=
dt
and p = mv

 d (mv )  
 dm dv
∑ F = dt ∑ F = v dt + m dt
Case 1: Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity
  dm  
dv dm dv
∑ F =v
dt
+m
dt
where
dt
=0 and
dt
=0

∑F =0 Newton’s 1st law of motion

 dp 
o Thus
∑ F = dt = 0

p = constant
43
L
Case 2:
 Object with changing velocity.
  dm 
dv dm
∑F =v
dt
+m
dt
and
dt
=0

  
dv  dv
∑F =m
dt
and a =
dt
  
∑ F = ma where ∑ F : resultant force
m : mass of an object
a : acceleration
 The direction of the resultant force always in the same
direction of the acceleration.

44
L
 Newton’s 2nd law of motion restates that “The acceleration of
an object is directly proportional to the nett force acting on
it and inversely proportional to its mass”.

OR

a∝
∑ F
m
 One newton(1 N) is defined as the amount of nett force that
gives an acceleration of one metre per second squared to a
body with a mass of one kilogramme.
OR 1 N = 1 kg m s-2
 Notes:


∑ F is a nett force or effective force or resultant force.
 The force which causes the motion of an object.

 If the forces act on an object and the object moving at

uniform acceleration (not at rest or not in the
equilibrium) hence   
Fnett = ∑ F = ma
45
 4.2.6 Applications of Newton’s 2nd law of motion
 From the Newton’s second law of motion, we arrived at equation
∑F = F nett = ma
T  There are five steps in applying the equation above to solve
problems in mechanics:
 Identify the object whose motion is considered.

 Determine the forces exerted on the object.

 Draw a free body diagram for each object.

 Choose a system of coordinates so that calculations may be

simplified.
 Apply the equation above for

 along x-axis:
∑ F = ma
x x

 along y-axis: ∑ Fy = ma y

46
T
Example 4.5 :
Three wooden blocks connected by a rope of negligible mass are
being dragged by a horizontal force, F in Figure 4.47
 
 T1 T2
F m1 m2 m3

Figure 4.47

Suppose that F = 1000 N, m1 = 3 kg, m2 = 15 kg and m3 = 30 kg.

Determine
a. the acceleration of blocks system.
b. the tension of the rope, T1 and T2.
Neglect the friction between the floor and the wooden blocks.

47
T
Solution :
a. For the block, m1 = 3 kg
 N

a 1
 ∑F x = F − T1 = m1a
F

T1 ∑F x = 1000 − T1 = 3a
m1 g T1 + 3a = 1000 (1)
For the block, m2 = 15 kg
 N
 a 2

∑F x = T1 − T2 = m2 a
T1

T2 ∑F x = T1 − T2 = 15a
m2 g T1 − T2 = 15a (2)
For the block,m3 = 30 kg
N3


a ∑F x = T2 = m3 a
T2 T2 = 30a (3)

m3 g 48
48
T
Solution :
a. By substituting eq. (3) into eq. (2) thus
T1 − 45a = 0 (4)
1000
Eq. (1)−(4) : a=
48
−2
a = 20.8 m s
b. By substituting the value of acceleration into equations (4) and
(3), therefore
T1 = 936 N
T2 = 624 N

49
T
Example 4.6 :
Two objects of masses m1 = 10 kg and m2 = 15 kg are connected
by a light string which passes over a smooth pulley as shown in
Figure 4.48. Calculate
a. the acceleration of the object of mass 10 kg.
b. the tension in the each string.
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2)
m1
Solution :
a. For the object m1= 10 kg,
m2

T1 ∑F y = T1 − m1 g = m1a
Figure 4.48

a
where T1 = T2 = T
T − 10 g = 10a (1)
 
W1 = m1 g 50
T
Solution :
a. For the object m2= 15 kg,

 ∑F y = m2 g − T2 = m2 a
T2 ∑F y = 15 g − T = 15a
 − T + 15 g = 15a (2)
a 5 g 5(9.81)
Eq. (1) + (2) : a= =
25 25
  a = 1.96 m s −2
W2 = m2 g
b. Substitute the value of acceleration into equation (1) thus
T − 10(9.81) = 10(1.96 )
T = 118N
Therefore
T1= T2= T= 118 N 51
Exercise 4.2 :
1. A block is dragged by forces, F1 and F2 of the magnitude
20 N and 30 N respectively as shown in Figure 4.49. The
frictional force f exerted on the block is 5 N. If the weight of
the block is 200 N and it is move horizontally, determine the
acceleration of the block.
 
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2) a F1
 50 

f 20 
F2
Figure 4.49

ANS. : 1.77 m s−2

52
2. One 3.5 kg paint bucket is hanging by a massless cord from
another 3.5 kg paint bucket, also hanging by a massless cord
as shown in Figure 4.50. If the two buckets are pulled upward
with an acceleration of 1.60 m s−2 by the upper cord, calculate
the tension in each cord.
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2)

ANS. : 39.9 N; 79.8 N

Figure 4.50

53
L
4.2.7 Newton’s third law of motion
 states “every action force has a reaction force that is equal
in magnitude but opposite in direction”.
 For example :
 When the student push on the wall it will push back with the
same force. (refer to Figure 4.51)

B (wall)
A (hand)  
  FAB = − FBA
FBA FAB
Figure 4.51

Where FAB is a force by the hand on the wall (action)

FBA is a force by the wall on the hand (reaction)

54
L

 When a book is placed on the table. (refer to Figure 4.39)

Force by the table on the book (reaction)

Figure 4.52
Force by the book on the table (action)

 If a car is accelerating forward, it is because its tyres are

pushing backward on the road and the road is pushing
forward on the tyres.
 A rocket moves forward as a result of the push exerted on it
by the exhaust gases which the rocket has pushed out.

 In all cases when two bodies interact, the action and reaction
forces act on different bodies.

55
L
Case 1: Horizontal surface
 An object lies at rest on a flat 
horizontal surface as shown in
Figure 4.53. N

Figure 4.53
 
W = mg
Action: weight of an object is exerted on the horizontal
surface
Reaction: surface is exerted a force, N on the object .

∑F y = N − mg = 0
Therefore
N = mg
56
L Case 2 : Inclined plane
 An object lies at rest on a rough inclined plane as shown in
Figure 4.54.
y Component of the weight :

N Wx = mg sin θ
W y = mg cos θ
Wx Action: y-component of the object’s
weight is exerted on the inclined
Wy surface.
θ Reaction: surface is exerted a force, N on
θ the object.
 
Figure 4.54
W = mg
∑F y = N − Wy = 0
Therefore
N = mg cos θ
57
L
Case 3 : Motion of a lift
 Consider a person standing inside a lift as shown in Figures
4.55, 4.56 and 4.57.
a. Lift moving upward at a uniform velocity

Since the lift moving at a

uniform velocity, thus

N ay = 0
Therefore

∑F =0 y
N − mg = 0

Figure 4.55  
N = mg
W = mg
58
L
b. Lift moving upwards at a constant acceleration, a

 By applying the newton’s 2nd law

N of motion, thus

∑F y = ma y
N − mg = ma

a
N = m(a + g )
Figure 4.56  
W = mg

59
L
c. Lift moving downwards at a constant acceleration, a

By applying the newton’s 2nd law

of motion, thus


∑F y = ma y
N mg − N = ma

a
N = m( g − a )
Figure 4.57  
W = mg

 Caution : N is also known as apparent weight and W is true

weight.

60
T
4.2.8 Application of Newton’s laws of motion
Case 1 : Horizontal surface
 Consider a box of mass m is pulled along a rough horizontal
surface by a horizontal
 force, F as shown in Figure4.58.
a N 
  a 
F f F

Figure 4.58  
W = mg
 x-component :
∑F x = Fnett = ma
F − f = ma
 y-component :
∑Fy=0
N = mg
61
T
Case 2 : Inclined plane
 Consider a box of mass m is pulled along a rough inclined plane
y 
by a force, F as shown in Figure 4.59.

   
N
a F
N a F
 Wx
f
 Wy
 
W = mg
f θ
θ
 
Figure 4.59 W = mg
 x-component  y-component
(parallel to the inclined (perpendicular to the inclined
plane) :∑ Fx = ma plane:
∑ F =0
y
F − Wx − f = ma N − Wy = 0
F = ma + mg sin θ + f N = mg cos θ
62
T
Example 4.7 : 
F
30

Figure 4.50
A box of mass 20 kg is on a rough horizontal plane. The box is
pulled by a force, F which is applied at an angle of 30° above
horizontal as shown in Figure 4.50. If the coefficient of static friction
between the box and the plane is 0.3 and the box moves at a
constant speed, calculate
a. the normal reaction force,
b. the applied force F,
c. the static friction force.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2) 63
T Solution : m = 20 kg; μ s = 0.3
constant speed 
F
F sin 30 

N 30
 F cos 30 
fs

mg
a. Since the box moves at constant speed thus a =0
x-component :
∑ Fx = 0
F cos 30 − f s = 0


F cos 30 − μs N = 0


0.3N
F= (1)
cos 30 64
T
Solution :
y-component : ∑F
=0 y
N + F sin 30 − mg = 0


N + F sin 30 = (20 )(9.81)

N + F sin 30 = 196
 (2)
By substituting eq. (1) into eq. (2), hence
 0.3 N 
N +  
sin 30 = 196


 cos 30  N = 167 N
b. Therefore the applied force is given by
0.3(167 )
F= = 57.9 N
cos 30 

c. The static friction force is f s = μs N

f s = 0.3(167 ) = 50.1 N
65
T 
Example 4.8 : F
20 

30 
Figure 4.51
A block of mass 200 kg is pulled along an inclined plane of 30° by
a force, F = 2 kN as shown in Figure 4.51. The coefficient of kinetic
friction of the plane is 0.4. Determine
a. the normal force,
b. the nett force,
c. the acceleration of the block,
d. the time taken for the block to travel 30 m from rest.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2) 66
T
Solution : m = 200 kg; F = 2000 N; μk = 0.4
  y
a F
F sin 20  20  F cos 20 

N
mg sin 30 

fk mg cos 30 
30 
30  
mg
a. y-component : ∑ Fy = 0
N + F sin 20 − mg cos 30 = 0
N + 2000 sin 20 − (200 )(9.81)cos 30 = 0
 

N = 1015 N
67
T Solution :
b. The nett force is directed along the inclined plane surface.
x-component : Fnett =
∑ Fx
Fnett = F cos 20 − mg sin 30 − f k
 

Fnett = F cos 20 − mg sin 30 − μk N

 

Fnett = 2000 cos 20 − (200 )(9.81)sin 30 − (0.4 )(1015)

 

Fnett = 492 N
c. Fnett = ma
492 = 200a a = 2.46 m s −2
d. Given s = 30 m; u = 0
1 2 1
s = ut + at 30 = 0 + (2.46 )t 2
2 2
t = 4.94 s
68
T
Example 4.9 :
Two blocks, A of mass 10 kg and B of mass 30 kg, are side by side
and in contact with each another. They are pushed along a smooth
floor under the action of a constant force F of magnitude 200 N
applied to A as shown in Figure 4.52. Determine
a. the acceleration of the blocks,  B
b. the force exerted by A on B. F A

Figure 4.52

Solution : m A = 10 kg; mB = 30 kg; F = 200 N

a. Let the acceleration of the blocks is a. Therefore

∑ F = (m
x + mB )a
A
F = (m A + mB )a
200 = (10 + 30 )a
a = 5.0 m s −2 69
T Solution :
b. For the object
 A,
NA

a ∑F x = F − FBA = m A a
  200 − FBA = 10(5.0 )
F FBA
 FBA = 150 N
mA g
From the Newton’s 3rd law, thus FAB = FBA = 150 N
OR
For the object B,

NB 
a
∑F x = FAB = mB a
 FAB = 30(5.0 )
FAB
 FAB = 150 N
mB g
70
Exercise 4.3 :
1.

Figure 4.53

A 5.00 kg object placed on a frictionless horizontal table is

connected to a string that passes over a pulley and then is
fastened to a hanging 9.00 kg object as in Figure 4.53.
a. Sketch free body diagrams of both objects,
b. Calculate the acceleration of the two objects and the
tension in the string.
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2)
ANS. : 6.30 m s−2; 31.5 N
71
2. Two object are connected by a light
string that passes over a frictionless
pulley as in Figure 4.54.
The coefficient of kinetic friction of
the plane is 0.3 and m1 = 2.00 kg,
m2 = 6.00 kg and θ = 55°.
a. Sketch free body diagrams of
both objects.
b. Determine
i. the accelerations of the objects,
ii. the tension in the string
iii. the speed of each object 2.00 s
after being released from rest.
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2) Figure 4.54

ANS. : 2.31 m s−2; 24.2 N; 4.62 m s−1

72
3. A 5.00 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 1.20 kg wooden
block resting on a horizontal surface. The coefficient of
kinetic friction between block and surface is 0.20. The bullet
remains embedded in the block, which is observed to slide
0.230 m along the surface before stopping. Calculate the
initial speed of the bullet.
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2)
Tips : Use
 Newton’s second law of motion involving
acceleration.
 Principle of conservation of linear momentum.
 Equation of motion for linear motion.
ANS. : 229 m s−1

73
4. The block shown in Figure 4.55
has mass, m =7.0 kg and lies on
a smooth frictionless plane tilted
at an angle, θ = 22.0° to the
horizontal.
a. Determine the acceleration of
the block as it slides down the
plane.
b. If the block starts from rest
12.0 m up the plane from its
base, calculate the block’s
speed when it reaches the Figure 4.55
bottom of the incline plane.
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2)
ANS. : 3.68 m s−2; 9.40 m s−1

74
 THE END.
Next Chapter…
CHAPTER 5 :
Work, Energy and Power

75