Laws of Motion - Class 11 Physics

Laws of Motion Formula Sheet

1 Newton’s Laws of Motion
1.1 First Law (Law of Inertia)
An object remains in its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.
Inertia: Resistance to change in motion depends on mass.

y
m
1.2 Second Law (Force and Acceleration)
F = ma

de
where:
• F = Force (N)

a
• m = Mass (kg)

Ac
• a = Acceleration (m/s2 )

1.3 Momentum and Second Law Formulation

d⃗
p
p⃗ = m⃗v , F⃗ =

where:
n dt
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• p⃗ = Momentum (kg m/s)
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• ⃗v = Velocity (m/s)

1.4 Third Law (Action-Reaction)

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For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Faction = −Freaction
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2 Impulse and Momentum Theorem

Impulse = F · ∆t = ∆p
ep

Impulse is the change in momentum and is measured in Ns (Newton-second).

2.1 Graphical Representation of Impulse

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Impulse can be found graphically by calculating the area under a force-time (F -t) graph:
Z t2
Impulse = F dt
an

t1

2.2 Impulse-Momentum Theorem

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The impulse applied to an object is equal to the change in its momentum:

F⃗ · ∆t = ∆⃗
p

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 Laws of Motion - Class 11 Physics

3 Law of Conservation of Momentum

In an isolated system, the total momentum remains conserved before and after an interaction.

m1 ⃗u1 + m2 ⃗u2 = m1⃗v1 + m2⃗v2

Vector Form:
X X
p⃗initial = p⃗final

y
This principle is crucial in collisions, explosions, and recoil problems.

m
4 Apparent Weight in an Elevator

de
Wapparent = m(g ± a)
• When accelerating upwards: Wapparent = m(g + a)

a
• When accelerating downwards: Wapparent = m(g − a)

Ac
5 Friction and Its Types
5.1 Types of Friction

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• Static Friction (fs ): Force resisting the start of motion.
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• Kinetic Friction (fk ): Force opposing motion of a moving object.

• Rolling Friction (fr ): Force opposing rolling motion.

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5.2 Formulas for Friction
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fs ≤ µs N, fk = µk N
where:
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• µs = Coefficient of static friction

• µk = Coefficient of kinetic friction

• N = Normal force
ep

6 Motion of a Vehicle on an Unbanked Road

When a vehicle moves along an unbanked curved road, the force of friction provides the necessary
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centripetal force to keep it moving in a circular path.

√
vmax = µrg
an

Where:
• vmax = Maximum speed the vehicle can attain without skidding.
M

• µ = Coefficient of friction between the tires and the road.

• r = Radius of the curve.
• g = Acceleration due to gravity.
If the speed exceeds vmax , the frictional force will not be sufficient to provide the required centripetal
force, leading to skidding.
—

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 Laws of Motion - Class 11 Physics

7 Banking of Roads
Banking of roads helps reduce the reliance on friction by providing a normal reaction force to contribute
to centripetal acceleration. It is crucial for vehicles taking turns at high speeds.

7.1 Smooth Road (Without Friction)

For a frictionless surface, the optimum speed at which a vehicle can travel safely is given by:

y
p
vsafe = rg tan θ

m
Where:
• vsafe = Safe velocity of the vehicle.

de
• r = Radius of the turn.

• g = Acceleration due to gravity.

a
• θ = Banking angle.

Ac
7.2 Rough Road (With Friction)
When friction is considered, the maximum safe speed can be calculated as:
s
vsafe =
n
rg(tan θ + µ)
1 − µ tan θ
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Here, friction contributes additional support to the centripetal force, increasing the speed at which a
vehicle can take the turn safely.
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—
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8 Bending of a Cyclist
When a cyclist moves along a curved path, they must lean inward to balance the centripetal force required
for turning. The angle of lean is given by:
Ed

 2
−1 v
θ = tan
rg
Where:
ep

• θ = Lean angle of the cyclist.

• v = Speed of the cyclist.
de

• r = Radius of the turn.

• g = Acceleration due to gravity.
an

If the cyclist does not lean, they risk falling outward due to inertia.
—
M

9 Conical Pendulum
A conical pendulum consists of a mass attached to a string moving in a circular path in a horizontal
plane, with the string making an angle with the vertical.

mv 2
T cos θ = mg, T sin θ =
r
The time period of the conical pendulum is:

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 Laws of Motion - Class 11 Physics

s
l cos θ
T = 2π
g
Where:
• T = Time period of oscillation.

• θ = Angle with the vertical.

y
• l = Length of the string.

m
• r = Radius of the circular motion.

• g = Acceleration due to gravity.

a de
Ac
n
io
at
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Ed
ep
de
an
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