PHY 111: MECHANICS AND THERMAL

PROPERTIES OF MATTER 1

LECTURE 3: Forces and Motion

Mr. V.M. Peheliwa

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Sir Isaac Newton

The First Law of Motion
• Newton’s first law of motion states that an object at
rest will remain at rest, and an object moving at a
constant velocity will continue moving at a constant
velocity , unless it is acted upon by an external
unbalanced force.
• If an object is not moving, it will not move until a
force acts on it.
• Clothes on the floor of your room will stay there
unless you pick them up.
• If an object is already moving, it will continue to
move at a constant velocity until a force acts to
change either its speed or direction.
 Inertia
• Whether an object is moving or not, it resists any
change to its state of motion.

• Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist a

change in motion.
• Newton’s first law of motion is called the law of
inertia.
• Inertia explains many common events, such as
why you move forward in your seat when a car
stops suddenly.
4
• When the car stops, inertia keeps you moving
forward.
• A force, such as the pull of a seat belt, is required
to change your motion.

5
• Some objects have more inertia than other
objects.
• The greater the mass of an object, the greater
its inertia, and the greater the force required to
change its motion.

6
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
• According to Newton’s second law of motion, acceleration
depends on the object’s mass and on the net force acting on
the object.
• This relationship can be written as an equation:
Acceleration = Net Force/ Mass

7
• Acceleration is measured in meters per second
per second (m/s2), and mass is measured in
kilograms (kg).
• According to Newton’s second law, then, force is
measured in kilograms times meters per second
per second (kg x m/s2).
• The short for this unit of force is the newton (N).
• Recall that a newton is the metric unit of force.
• You can think of one newton as the force required
to give a 1-kg mass an acceleration of 1 m/s2.

8
Sample Problem
• A speedboat pulls a 55 kg water skier. The force causes the
skier to accelerate at 2.0 m/s2. Calculate the net force that
causes this acceleration.

What information are you given?

• Mass of water skier = 55 kg
• Acceleration of the water skier = 2.0 m/s2
• What quantity are you trying to calculate?
• The net force
• What formula will you use?
• Acceleration = Net force ÷ mass
• OR Net Force = mass x acceleration

• Perform the calculation

•Fnet = m x a
•F = 55 kg x 2.0 m/s2
•F = 110 kg x m/s2
•F = 110 N
• Look at the pictures below.
• Which vehicle do you think would require a greater force
to push and why?

• Using the equation, solve for the amount of force.

 Newton’s Third Law of Motion
• Newton proposed that whenever one object exerts a force on a
second object, the second object exerts a force back on the first
object.
• The force exerted by the second object is equal in strength and
opposite in direction to the first force.

• Think of one force as the “action” and the other force as the
“reaction.”
Another way to state Newton’s third law is
that for every force of action there is an
equal but opposite force of reaction.
 Action-Reaction Pairs
• You’re probably familiar with many examples of Newton’s
third law.
• Pairs of action and reaction forces are all around you.
• When you jump, you push on the ground with your feet.
• This is the action force.
• The ground pushes back on your feet with an equal and
opposite force.
• This is the reaction force.
 Detecting Motion
• Can you always detect motion when paired forces are in
action? The answer is no.

• For example, when Earth’s gravity pulls on an object, you

cannot detect Earth’s equal and opposite reaction.

• Suppose you drop your pencil.

• Gravity pulls the pencil downward.
• At the same time, the pencil pulls Earth upward
with an equal and opposite reaction force.
• You don’t see Earth accelerate toward the pencil
because Earth’s inertia is so great that its
acceleration is too small to notice.
Do Action-Reaction Forces Cancel?
• Earlier you learned that if two equal forces act in
opposite directions on an object, the forces are
balanced.
• Because the two forces add up to zero, they
cancel each other out and produce no change in
motion.
• Why then don’t the action and reaction force in
Newton’s third law of motion cancel out as well?
• After all, they are equal and opposite.
• The action and reaction forces do not cancel out because they
are acting on different objects.
• Look at the volleyball player.
• She exerts an upward action force
on the ball.

• In return, the ball exerts an equal but

opposite downward
reaction force back on her wrists.
• The action and reaction forces
act on different objects.

17
• On the other hand, the volleyball players are both
exerting a force on the same object – the volleyball.
• When they hit the ball from opposite directions, each of
their hands exerts a force on the ball equal in strength
but opposite in direction.
• The forces on the volleyball are balanced and the ball
does not move either to the left or to the right.
Frictional Force

19
What is friction?

Friction is a “catch-all” term that collectively

refers to all forces which act to reduce motion
between objects and the matter they contact.
Friction often transforms the energy of motion
into thermal energy or the wearing away of
moving surfaces.
Kinds of friction
 Kinetic friction
Kinetic friction is sliding friction. It is a force that resists sliding or
skidding motion between two surfaces.

If a crate is dragged to the right, friction points left. Friction acts in

the opposite direction of the (relative) motion that produced it.
A model for kinetic friction
The force of kinetic friction Ff between two
surfaces equals the coefficient of kinetic
friction μk times the normal force FN.

Fof motion

But what is this coefficient of friction, μk?

The coefficient of friction
The coefficient of friction is a constant that depends on
both materials. Pairs of materials with more friction
have a higher μk. direction of
motion

The μk tells you how many newtons of friction you get

per newton of normal force. Do you see why μk has no
units?
A model for kinetic friction
The coefficient of friction μk is typically between 0 and 1.

direction of
motion

• When μk = 0 there is no friction.

• When μk = 0.5 the friction force equals half the normal force.
• When μk = 1.0 the friction force equals the normal force.
Calculating kinetic friction
Consider a 30 N brick sliding across a floor at constant
speed.

What is the friction force on the brick if μk = 0.5?

Calculating kinetic friction
Consider a 30 N brick sliding across a floor at
constant speed.

The force F needed to make the

board slide at constant speed
must also be 15 N.
Static friction
Static friction is gripping friction. It is a force that prevents relative
motion between surfaces in contact with each other.

• Without static friction between your

feet and the floor, you could not walk
or run. Your feet would slip.

• Without static friction between your

tires and the road, you could not start
or stop a car.
Static friction

Static friction prevents

this crate from sliding
when pushed . . .
Static friction
Static friction prevents
this crate from sliding
when pushed . . .

. . . until the pushing force

is greater than the
maximum static friction
force available.

30
 Static friction
How much static friction acts

• in case a? 120 N

• In case b? 160 N

The crate is at rest so the net force

must be zero. The static friction
increases exactly as needed to
keep the box at rest.
 Static friction
How much static friction acts

• in case a? 120 N

• In case b? 160 N

What is the maximum static friction

available? 200 N

Once the maximum static friction is

exceeded, the crate begins to move.

32
 A model for static friction
The maximum static friction force Ff between two
surfaces is the coefficient of static friction μs times the
normal force FN.
direction of
applied force

• When μs = 0 there is no friction.

• When μs = 0.5 the maximum friction force equals half
the normal force.
• When μs = 1.0 the maximum friction force equals the
normal force. 33
Calculating static friction
A 10 N board is at rest on a table.
How much force does it take to
start the board sliding if μs = 0.2?

Ask yourself:
What forces act on the block?
Draw the free-body diagram.
mg = -10 N FN = +10 N
Calculating static friction
A 10 N board is at rest on a table.
How much force does it take to start
the board sliding if μs = 0.2?

The applied force F must be

enough to break the grip of static
friction. mg = -10 N FN = +10 N
Calculating static friction
A 10 N board is at rest on a table.
How much force does it take to start
the board sliding if μs = 0.2?

• 2 N is the maximum force of static

friction available.
• 2 N is also the minimum force mg = -10 N FN = +10 N
needed to start the board moving.
36
 Example
◼ A toboggan loaded with vacationing students slides down
a long, snow-covered slope having a coefficient of kinetic
friction μk. The slope has just the right angle to make the
toboggan slide with constant speed. Find the angle of the
slope.

v f
N
mg


◼ Since the toboggan is sliding at constant speed, the
acceleration is zero. We choose a frame of reference
that is parallel to the slope.
◼ In this frame of reference, the force equations are

Parallel component: mg sin - μk N = 0

N - mg cos = 0
Perpendicular component:

◼ Look at the || equation first mg sin  −  k N = 0

N=
mg sin 
k
◼ Substituting this into the perpendicular
equation and solving for  yields

N − mg cos  = 0

mg sin 
− mg cos  = 0
k

mg sin 
k = mg cos 

tan  = 
 Example
◼ A block of mass m1 moves on a level surface with a coefficient
of kinetic friction μ. It is connected by a light (massless),
flexible cord passing over a small, frictionless pulley to a
second hanging block of mass m2. What is the acceleration of
the system, and what is the tension in the cord connecting the
two blocks?
m1

m
2
◼ Solution:
◼ We treat each block as a separate system. Starting with the
block on the table we get

T1

N 1

mg
1
N
1

T − N1
◼ x component: T − N1 = m1a a=
m1
◼ y component: N1 − m1g = 0
T − m1g
◼ Solving for the acceleration we get =
m1
Example
◼ The forces acting on the second block are

◼ x component: = 0 m2 g

◼ Y component: m2 g − T = m2 a
◼ Substituting the previous result for a, we get
 T − m1g 
m2 g − T = m2  
 m1 
 m2 
T 1+  = m2g(1 + )
 m1 
m1m2 g ( 1 + )
T=
m1 + m2
Example

The man pushes/pulls with a force of 200 N. The child and sled
combo have a mass of 30 kg and the coefficient of kinetic friction is
0.15. For each case:
What is the frictional force opposing his efforts?
What is the acceleration of the child?
f = 59.1 N, a=3.80 m/s2 / f = 29.1 N, a=4.8 m/s2
 Example

Given m1 = 10 kg and m2 = 5 kg:

a) What value of ms would stop the block from sliding?
b) If the box is sliding and mk = 0.2
i. what is the acceleration?
ii. what is the tension of the rope?
a) s = 0.5 b,i) a=1.96 m/s2 b,ii) 39.2 N
 Example
What is the minimum ms
required to prevent a sled
from slipping down a hill of
slope 30 degrees?
s = 0.577
Uniform Circular Motion
 Speed/Velocity in a Circle
Consider an object moving in a circle
around a specific origin. The DISTANCE
the object covers in ONE REVOLUTION
is called the CIRCUMFERENCE. The
TIME that it takes to cover this distance
is called the PERIOD. d 2r
scircle = =
T T
Speed is the MAGNITUDE of the
velocity. And while the speed may be
constant, the VELOCITY is NOT.
Since velocity is a vector with BOTH
magnitude AND direction, we see
that the direction of the velocity is
ALWAYS changing.
We call this velocity, TANGENTIAL velocity as its
direction is draw TANGENT to the circle.
 Centripetal Acceleration
Magnitude ac of the centripetal acceleration
depends on the speed v of the object and the
radius r of the circular path.
a = v in velocity divided by the elapsed time t

or a = v/ t

t is very small, the

arc length OP is
approximately a
straight line whose
length is the distance vt
traveled by the object.
COP is an isosceles triangle. Both triangles have
equal apex angles .
v vt
=
v r

The direction is toward the center of the circle.

Drawing the Directions correctly
So for an object traveling in a counter-clockwise
path. The velocity would be drawn TANGENT to
the circle and the acceleration would be drawn
TOWARDS the CENTER.

To find the MAGNITUDES of each we have:

Circular Motion and Newton’s Second Law
2
Recall that according to v
Newton’s Second Law, the
FNET = ma ac =
r
acceleration is directly 2
proportional to the Force. mv
FNET = Fc =
r
Fc = Centripetal Force
Since the acceleration and the force
are directly related, the force must
ALSO point towards the center. This is
called CENTRIPETAL FORCE.
NOTE: The centripetal force is a NET FORCE.
Example The blade of a windshield wiper moves
through an angle of 90 degrees in 0.28
seconds. The tip of the blade moves on
the arc of a circle that has a radius of
0.76m. What is the magnitude of the
centripetal acceleration of the tip of the
blade?

2 (.76)
2r vc = = 4.26 m / s
vc = (.28 * 4)
T
 What is the minimum coefficient of static
Example friction necessary to allow a penny to rotate
Top view 𝟏
along a 33 rpm record (diameter= 0.300 m),
𝟑
when the penny is placed at the outer edge of
the record?

FN F f = Fc
Ff
mv 2
FN =
r
mg 2
mv
mg =
Side view r
2
v
=
rg 54
Example : Centripetal Force and Safe Driving
Compare the maximum
speeds at which a car can
 S − dry = 0.9 safely negotiate an
unbanked turn (r= 50.0m)

S --dry = 0.9

S --icy = 0.1
N
FS

FS
mg
The car does not accelerate ,
FN – mg = 0 FN = mg.
N

fS
mg

2
v
 s g = v =  s gr
r
 Dry road (  s =0.900)

v = (0.900 )(9.80 m / s )(50 .0m) = 21 .0m / s

2

Icy road (  s =0.100)

v = (0.100 )(9.80 m / s )(50 .0m) = 7.00 m / s

2

As expected, the dry road allows the greater maximum

speed.
Banked Curves
 A car is going around a friction-free banked
curve. The radius of the curve is r.
FN sin is the force that points toward the
center C 2
mv
FC = FN sin  =
r
FN cos and, since the car does not accelerate in the
vertical direction, this component must balance the
weight mg of the car.
FN cos  = mg
 FN sin  mv / r 2
=
FN cos mg
2
v
tan =
rg

At a speed that is too small for a given  , a car

would slide down a frictionless banked curve: at a
speed that is too large, a car would slide off the
top.
MOMENT OF FORCE

61
 The longer
Forces and moments the spanner,
the greater
the turning
effect
(force)
Spanners are
used for
tightening and
loosening nuts.
They help to
produce a
larger turning
effect.
Forces and moments

Moment of = force x perpendicular

a force about distance from
a point the point

Moments may be described as clockwise or

anticlockwise, and the moment of a force is
also called a torque.
 Forces and moments
To increase the force
applied to undoing a
wheel nut, extend the
length of the spanner –
you can do this by
inserting a length of
pipe over the end.
 3N
Let’s look at a
few examples
of calculations X
involving
moments. 5m

Moment about X = 3 x 5 = 15N

4m (anticlockwise)

5N

Moment about X = 5 x 4 = 20N

(clockwise)
The Principle of Moments

This beam is in a state of balance.

In order to be balanced, the
clockwise forces must be equal to
the anticlockwise forces.
We say that the beam is in a state
of equilibrium.
The Principle of Moments

In order to be balanced,
This beam is the clockwise moments
in a state of must be equal to the
balance. anticlockwise moments.
We say that the beam is
in a state of
equilibrium.
The Principle of Moments
•The Principle of Moments states
that:
•“If an object is in equilibrium, the
sum of the clockwise moments
about any point is equal to the
sum of the anticlockwise moments
about that point.”
 Let’s look
The Principle of Moments at some
worked
1m examples
2m
0.5m

20N 20N 5N

Anticlockwise moment Combined clockwise moment

= 20 x 1 = 20Nm = (5 x 2) + (20 x 0.5) = 20Nm
EXAMPLE
• Given that the system below is in a state of equilibrium,
calculate the value of force F.

• OA = 1.5m, OB = 2m, OC = 4m
 Solution
• Since the beam is in a state of equilibrium then the sum of
clockwise moments is equal to the sum of anticlockwise
moments

• 50N x 1.5m + 4m x Fsin30 = 250N x 2m

• 75 + 2F = 500
• 2F = 500 – 75
• F = 425/2 = 212.5N
 THE END
NEXT: ENERGY, WORK AND POWER