DYNAMICS

DYNAMICS
• Force
• Mass and weight
• Newton’s First Law of Motion
• Free-Body Diagrams
• Newton’s Second Law of Motion
• Newton’s Third Law of Motion
• Solving Problems with Newton’s Laws
• Problems Involving Friction, Inclines
 INTRODUCTION
◼ The general study of the relationships between
motion, forces, and energy is called mechanics. It
can be divided into the subdisciplines of kinematics,
dynamics and statics.
◼ Motion is a change in position of an object over time.
◼ The study of motion without regard to the forces or
energies that may be involved is called kinematics.
◼ The branch of mechanics that deals with both
motion and forces together is called dynamics
◼ and the study of forces in the absence of changes in
motion or energy is called statics.
 WHAT IS A FORCE
◼ a force is any interaction that, when unopposed,
will change the motion of an object. ...
◼ Force can also be described intuitively as a push
or a pull on an object with mass that causes it to
change velocity (to accelerate).
◼ A force has both magnitude and direction,
making it a vector quantity.
◼ It is measured in the SI unit of newtons(N) and
represented by the symbol F
• There are two types
• Contact and non contact forces.

• Force that exist during physical contact

(Tension, Friction, Applied Force)
• Force that exist with NO physical contact,
called FIELD FORCES ( gravitational,
electric, etc)
MASS AND WEIGHT
MASS WEIGHT
1. Mass is the quantity of matter 1. Weight is the gravitational force by
possessed by a body. which earth attracts towards it.
2. It is a scalar quantity, which has 2. It is a vector quantity, which means
magnitude only. that it has magnitude and direction.
3. Its unit is kilogram (kg). 3. Its unit is newton (N).
4. It is not changed by changing the 4. It is changed by changing the
position. position.
5. It is calculated by the 5. It is calculated by the
formula: m=w/g formula: w=mg
6. It is measured by physical balance, 6. It is measured by a spring balance.
beam balance, electronic balance,
etc

What is the weight of an 85.3-kg person on earth? On Mars=3.2 m/s/s)?

W = mg → W = (85.3)(9.8) = 835.94N
WMARS = (85.3)(3.2) = 272.96N
INERTIA – a quantity of matter, also called MASS.
◼ it is the tendencies of a body to remain at rest; to
resist being accelerated.
◼ It is a property of matter by which it continues
in its existing state of rest or uniform motion
in a straight line, unless that state is changed
by an external force.
◼ If asked which of these has greater inertia, a car
and a trailer.
An object in motion remains in motion in a
straight line and at a constant speed OR an
object at rest remains at rest, UNLESS acted
upon by an EXTERNAL (unbalanced) Force.
There are TWO conditions here and one constraint.

Condition #1 – The object C A N move but must be at a CONSTANT SPEED

Condition #2 – The object is at REST
Constraint – As long as the forces are BALANCED!!!!! And if all the forces
are balanced the SUM of all the forces is ZERO.
The bottom line: There is N O ACCELERATION in this case A N D the object
must be at EQILIBRIUM ( All the forces cancel out).
acc = 0 →  F = 0
A pictorial representation of all the forces acting on an object
complete with labels. Or a diagram showing all forces
acting on a body using arrows, considering body as a
point mass.

FN •Weight(mg or Fg) – Always

T drawn from the center,
straight down
Ff •Force Normal(FN) – A
T surface force always drawn
perpendicular to a surface.
W1,Fg1 •Tension(T or FT) – force in
or m1g ropes and always drawn
AWAY from object.
m2g •Friction(Ff)- Always drawn
opposing the motion.

•Note: if the body is pulled at

an angle, resolve to
component of x and y.
 NOTE: in a incline plane there is no
Friction(Ff)- because the object is sliding
down

Ff FN

Fg=mg
Since the Fnet = 0, a system moving at a
constant speed or at rest MUST be at
EQUILIBRIUM.

TIPS for solving problems

• Draw a FBD

• Resolve anything into COMPONENTS

• Write equations of equilibrium

• Solve for unknowns

A 10-kg box is being pulled across the table to the
right at a constant speed with a force of 50N.
a) Calculate the Force of Friction
b) Calculate the Force Normal Fa = F f = 50N

FN
Fa mg = Fn = (10)(9.8) = 98N
Ff

mg
Suppose the same box is now pulled at an
angle of 30 degrees above the horizontal.
a) Calculate the Force of Friction
b) Calculate the Force Normal
Fax = Fa cos  = 50 cos 30 = 43.3N
Ff = Fax = 43.3N

FN Fa FN  mg!
Fay
Ff 30 FN + Fay = mg
Fax
FN = mg − Fay → (10)(9.8) − 50sin 30
mg
FN = 73N
If an object is NOT at rest or moving at a
constant speed, that means the FORCES are
UNBALANCED. One force(s) in a certain
direction over power the others.

THE OBJECT WILL THEN ACCELERATE.

The acceleration of an object is directly
proportional to the NET FORCE and
inversely proportional to the mass.
1 FNET =  F
a  FNET a
m
FNET Tips:
a= → FNET = ma
m •Draw an FBD
•Resolve vectors into components
•Write equations of motion by adding and
subtracting vectors to find the NET FORCE.
Always write larger force – smaller force.
•Solve for any unknowns
◼ Newton's second law of motion can be formally
stated as follows: The acceleration of an object
as produced by a net force is directly
proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in
the same direction as the net force, and
inversely proportional to the mass of the object.
F = ma
◼ It can also be stated as the time rate of change
of momentum is directly proportional to the
applied resultant force and the momentum
change takes place in the direction of the force.
(mv − mu )
F =k
t
◼ Momentum and impulse
◼ Momentum is a characteristic of a moving
body determined by the product of the body's
mass and velocity. P = mv
◼ SI unit is kgm/s
◼ Impulse of a force is the product of the force
and the time with which it acts.
◼ SI unit is Ns
A 10-kg box is being pulled across the table to
the right by a rope with an applied force of
50N. Calculate the acceleration of the box if a
12 N frictional force acts upon it.
FN In which direction, FNet = ma
Fa is this object
Ff
accelerating? Fa − Ff = ma
The X direction!
mg 50 −12 = 10a
So N.S.L. is worked
out using the forces
in the “x” direction
a = 3.8 m / s 2
only
A mass, m1 = 3.00kg, is resting on a frictionless horizontal table is
connected to a cable that passes over a pulley and then is fastened
to a hanging mass, m2 = 11.0 kg as shown below. Find the
acceleration of each mass and the tension in the cable.
FN
FNet = ma
T m2 g − T = m2 a
T = m1a
T
m2 g −m1a = m2a
m1g
m2 g = m2a +m1a
m2 g = a(m2 +m1 )
m2g
m2 g (11)(9.8)
a= → = 7.7 m/ s2
m1 +m2 14
FNet = ma T = (3)(7.7) = 23.1N
m2 g − T = m2 a
T = m1a
 Friction
◼ TWO types of Friction
◼ Static – Friction that keeps an object at rest
and prevents it from moving
◼ Kinetic – Friction that acts during motion
Force of Friction

◼ The Force of Friction is Ff  FN

directly related to the  = constant of proportionality
Force Normal.  = coefficien t of friction
◼ Mostly due to the fact
Fsf = s FN The coefficient of
that BOTH are surface
friction is a unitless
forces Fkf = k FN constant that is
specific to the
material type and
usually less than
one.

Note: Friction ONLY depends on the MATERIALS sliding against

each other, NOT on surface area.
Example
A 1500 N crate is being pushed
a) What is the coefficient of kinetic
across a level floor at a friction between the crate and the
constant speed by a force F of floor?
600 N at an angle of 20° below
the horizontal as shown in the
figure.
F f =  k FN
Fa FN
F f = Fax = Fa cos  = 600(cos 20) = 563.82N
Fay
FN = Fay + mg = Fa sin  +1500
20
Fax FN = 600(sin 20) +1500 = 1705.21N
563.82 = k 1705.21
k = 0.331
Ff
mg
Example
FN Fa
If the 600 N force is instead pulling the
block at an angle of 20° above the Fay
horizontal as shown in the figure, 20
what will be the acceleration of the Fax
crate. Assume that the coefficient of
friction is the same as found in (a)

FNet = ma Ff
mg
Fax − Ff = ma
Fa cos  − FN = ma
Fa cos  −  (mg − Fa sin  ) = ma
600 cos 20 − 0.331(1500 − 600sin 20) = 153.1a
563.8 − 428.57 = 153.1a
a = 0.883 m / s 2
EXAMPLE

◼ An elevator with a mass of 2000 Kg rises with

an acceleration of 1.0 m/s2.what is the
tension in the supporting cable.
◼ T
Fnet = ma
T −mg = ma
T = ma+mg = 20001+20009.8
mg
▪
T = 21.6N
Inclines



Ff FN 


mg cos 


Tips
mg
 •Rotate Axis
•Break weight into components
mg sin  •Write equations of motion or
equilibrium
•Solve
INCLINE PLANE
◼ Case 1. object sliding down an incline
frictionless plane, the acceleration is given as
Fnet = ma
Fnet = Fgx = mg sin 
mg sin  = ma
mg sin 
a= = g sin 
m
 INCLINE PLANE
◼ Case 2. object sliding down an inclined plane
Fnet = ma
with friction, the acceleration is given as
Fnet = F gx − Fk
Fk =  k F N
F N = mg cos 
F gx = m g sin 
mg sin  −  k mg cos  = ma
m ( g sin  −  k g cos  )
a= = g (sin  −  k cos  )
m
m 2 g sin  − (Fk + T ) = m 2 a
Fk = m 2 g sin  − m 2 a − T but Fk =  k F N =  k m 2 g cos 
m 2 g sin  − m 2 a − T 9(9.8) sin 40 − 9(0.125) − 39.7
k = = = 0.235
m 2 g cos  9(9.8) cos 40
 INCLINE PLANE
◼ Case 3. object sliding up an inclined plane with
friction, the acceleration is given as. In this case
gravity pulls it down as well as frictional force
which oppose the motion.
Fnet = m a ; Fnet = − F g x − Fk ; Fk =  k F N
F N = m g c o s  ; F g x = m g s in 
− m g s in  −  k m g c o s  = m a
− m ( g s in  +  k g c o s  )
a = =
m
left incline F n e t = − F g x − Fk
− g (s in  +  k c o s  )
o r r ig h t in c lin e d F n e t = F g x + F k
g (s in  +  k c o s  )
Example
Masses m1 = 4.00 kg and m2 = 9.00 kg are connected by a light string that passes over
a frictionless pulley. As shown in the diagram, m1 is held at rest on the floor and m2 rests
on a fixed incline of angle 40 degrees. The masses are released from rest, and m2 slides
1.00 m down the incline in 4 seconds. Determine (a) The acceleration of each mass (b)
The coefficient of kinetic friction and (c) the tension in the string.

T FN FNET = ma
T − m1 g = m1a → T = m1a + m1 g
m2gcos40 Ff
T
40
m2 g sin  − (F f + T ) = m2 a
m2 g
m1 40
m2gsin40

m1g
 FNET = ma
Example
T − m1 g = m1a → T = m1a + m1 g
m2 g sin  − (F f + T ) = m2 a
x = voxt + 1 at 2
2
T = 4(.125) + 4(9.8) = 39.7N
1 = 0 + 1 2 a(4) 2
a = 0.125 m / s 2

m2 g sin  − F f − T = m2 a
m2 g sin  − F f − (m1a + m1 g) = m 2 a k = 56.7 − 0.5 − 39.2 −1.125 = 0.235
67.57
m2 g sin  − k FN − m1a − m1 g = m2 a
m2 g sin  − k m2 g cos  − m1a − m1 g = m2 a
m2 g sin  − m1a − m1 g − m2 a = k m2 g cos 
m2 g sin  − m1a − m1 g − m2 a
k =
m2 g cos 
example
◼ An 8kg mass is placed on a 30 degree
frictionless inclines plane and is attached to a
pulley to a hanging mass of 5kg.
◼ (a) in which direction will the system move
◼ (b) what is the acceleration
◼ © cal. the tension in the rope
◼ (d) what hanging mass will cause the system
to remain at rest.
Newton’s Third Law
“For every action there is an EQUAL and
OPPOSITE reaction.
◼ This law focuses on action/reaction pairs (forces)
◼ They NEVER cancel out

All you do is SWITCH the wording!

• PERSON on WALL
• WALL on PERSON

FA = −FR
equilibrium of forces

◼ A body is said to be in equilibrium if the

resultant force acting on it is equal to zero.
According to Newton first law.
◼ Resultant force  F = 0
◼

◼
Sum of forces on y-axis
Sum of forces on x-axis
 Fy = 0

 Fx = 0
equilibrium of forces
equilibrium of forces
equilibrium of forces
equilibrium of forces
Example 1

suppose the above system is in equilibrium and the

weight W2 is 200N. Find T1, T2, T3 and W1
Solution 1

◼ CASE 1 ◼ CASE 2
F y =0
W2 − T1 Sin = 0 F x =0
W2 200 T2 265.45
T1 = = = 332.2N T3Cos −T2 = 0 T3 = =
Sin Sin37 Cos Cos53
T3 = 440.9N
 Fx = 0
T2 − T1 cos  = 0  T2 = T1 cos 
F y =0
W1 −T3Sin = 0 W1 = T3Sin
T2 = 332.2  cos 37 = 265.45N W1 = 440.9Sin53 = 352.3N
Example 2

suppose the above system is in equilibrium and

block has a mass of 500kg. Find T1, T2 and T3.
Solution 2
◼ First step is to draw FBD into components
T3 = mg = 5009.8 = 4900N
F x =0
T2 cos 20
T1 cos30 −T2 cos 20 = 0  T1 = = 1.0851T 2
cos30
T1 = 1.0851T2
F y =0
T1sin 30 + T2 sin 20 = T3 1.0851T2 (sin 30) + T2 sin 20 = T3
T3 4900
T2 = = = 5539.4N
1.0851(sin 30) + sin 20 0.8846
T1 = 1.0851T2 = 1.08515539.4 = 6010.8N
Atwood machine
Atwood machine
example

◼ In the Atwood machine

shown in the diagram, if
m1=0.040kg and
m2=0.60kg. what is the
magnitude of the
acceleration of the
system. Ignore friction
Atwood Machine
Example
A 2.0 kg and a 3.0 kg mass are attached to a
lightweight cord that
passes over a frictionless pulley. The hanging masses
are free to
move. Assume the positive direction of motion is
when the larger mass
moves downward.
a) Draw a diagram showing all forces.
b) In what direction does the smaller mass move and
what is its accel?
c) Find the tension in the cord.
Example FN

Suppose you had a 30- kg box that

is moving at a constant speed Ff
until it hits a patch of sticky
snow where it experiences a
frictional force of 12N.
mg
a) What is the acceleration of
the box?

b) What is the coefficient of

FNet = ma
kinetic friction between the
box and the snow? F f = ma → 12 = 30a
F f = k FN = k mg
a= 0.4 m/s/s

12 = k (30)(9.8)
k = 0.04
Now suppose your friend decides to help by pulling the box
across the snow using a rope that is at some angle from the
horizontal. She begins by experimenting with the angle of pull
and decides that 40 degrees is NOT optimal. At what angle, ,
will the minimum force be required to pull the sled with a
constant velocity?

Let’s start by making a function for “F” in terms of “theta” using

our equations of motion. F + F sin = mg → F = mg − F sin
N N

F cos = FF = k FN
FN
F F cos  = K (mg − F sin  )
Fsin F cos  = k mg − k F sin 

F cos  + k F sin  = k mg
Ff Fcos
F (cos  + k sin  ) = k mg
mg k mg
F ( ) =
cos + k sin
 Where does the calculus fit in?
→ → dv d 2x There could be situations where you are
F = ma = m =m given a displacement function or velocity
dt dt function. The derivative will need to be
taken once or twice in order to get the
acceleration. Here is an example.

You are standing on a bathroom scale in an elevator in a tall

building. Your mass is 72-kg. The elevator starts from rest
and travels upward with a speed that varies with time
according to:
v(t) = 3t + 0.20t 2

When t = 4.0s , what is the reading on the bathroom scale

(a.k.a. Force Normal)?
Fnet = ma
dv d (3t + 0.20t 2 )
a= = = 3 + 0.40t FN − mg = ma → FN = ma + mg
dt dt FN = (72)(9.8) + (72)(4.6) =
a(4) = 3 + 0.40(4) = 4.6 m/s/s 1036.8 N
Linear momentum and its conservation laws
◼ Momentum is defined as p = mv.
◼ The law of conservation of linear momentum
states that If no external forces act on the
system of two colliding objects, then the vector
sum of the linear momentum of each body
remains constant and is not affected by their
mutual interaction. ie. the sum of linear
momentum before collision is equal to the sum
of linear momentum after collision.
◼ m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
 elastic and inelastic collisions
◼ Collision changes the velocities of the objects
involved. The final velocity is different from the
initial velocity. Since the kinetic energy of the
object depends on the velocity, the kinetic
energy also changes.
◼ Collisions could be elastic or inelastic depending
on what happens to the total kinetic energy of
the entire system.
◼ In both cases momentum and total energy are
conserved.
 Elastic and Inelastic collision
◼ In elastic kinetic energy is conserved.
◼ In Inelastic collision kinetic energy is not
conserved but transformed to thermal or sound
energy.
◼ Perfectly elastic collision is an idealized situation
where friction and other external forces are
negligible. The colliding particles do not
disintegrate or join, and therefore P and KE are
perfectly conserved.
◼ perfectly Inelastic collision is one which two object
stick together after collision so that the objects
have the same final velocity. m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2 )v
Elastic and Inelastic collision
◼ The extent to which the collision is elastic or
inelastic is described by the coefficient of
restitution.
◼ It is the ration of the relative speed after
collision to the relative speed before collision.
vr = v2 − v1
e=
ur u2 − u1
◼ When e is 1 it implies perfectly elastic
◼ When e is 0 it is perfectly inelastic
Example 1

◼ Two balls with different masses were

involved in a perfectly elastic collision. Ball 1
with mass 0.26kg travelling at a velocity of
1.3m/s collides head-on with a stationary ball
2, which has a mass 0.15kg. Determine the
final velocities of both balls after the collision.
 Solution 1
◼ Since it is perfectly elastic, KE and P are
conserved.
m1 = 0.26kg;u1 = 1.3ms −1 ; m2 = 0.15kg;u2 = 0ms −1 ;v1 = ?;v2 = ?
◼ Using conservation of momentum equation
m1u1 +m2u2 =m1v1 +m2v2 but u2 =0m1v1 =m1u1 −m2v2 m1
m2 0.15
v1 =u1 − v2 1.3− v2 =1.3−0.58v2
m1 0.26
◼ Using conservation of kinetic energy equation

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
mu
11 + mu2 2 = mv11 + mv
2 2 but u 2 =0 1 1 = mu
mv 1 1 − mv
2 2 bothsides2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
0.260.132 =0.26(1.3−0.58v )2 +0.15v2
2 2
 Solution 1
0.439 = 0.26(1.69 −1.51v + 0.34v ) + 0.15v
2 2
2 2 2
0.439 = 0.439 − 0.39v + 0.088v + 0.15v
2 2
2 2 2
0 = −0.39v + 0.24v2  0 = (−0.39 + 0.24v )v
2 2 2 2

0.39
v2 = 0 before collision and v 2 = = 1.63ms −1
0.24
v = 1.3 − 0.58v = 1.3 − 0.581.63 = 0.35ms −1
1 2

◼ The first and second ball has a final velocity of

0.35m/s and 1.63m/s right.
Example 2

◼ Two cars masses 2500kg and 1200kg have

an initial velocities 40.0m/s and 10.0m/s
respectively. After collision the cars locked
bumpers and travel along x-direction. If the
total momentum is conserved, determine the
velocity of the cars just after collision.
Solution 2

m =2500kg;m =1200kg;u =40.0ms−1;u =10.0ms−1;v=?

1 2 1 2

m1u1 +m2u2 (250040)+(120010)

v= =
m1 +m2 2500+1200
100000+12000
v= =30ms−1
3700
 Example

An object collides with a solid wall and after

the collision, it stops. Now. If the mass of the object
was 2.0 kg and the object travels with a velocity of
10 m/s before it hit the wall. Calculate the impulse of
the object.
 Example
From the previous example, if the object first collides
with the wall and then bounce back. Furthermore,
before hitting the wall, the mass of the object is 2.0
kg and its velocity is 10 m/s. Moreover, after hitting
the wall its velocity becomes -10 m/s (it is negative
because it has bounced back in the opposite
direction). Now, calculate the impulse of the object.
Example
A batsman knocks back a ball straight in the
direction towards the bowler without altering its
initial speed of 12 m/s. If the mass of the ball is
0.15kg, calculate the impulse imparted to the
ball?
Solution
Given:
vi (Initial Velocity) = 12 m/s,
vf (Final Velocity) = -12m/s,
m (mass) = 0.15kg,
J (Impulse) = ?
Impulse is articulated as
J = mvf – mvi
= m(vf – vi)
= 0.15 Kg (-12 -12) m/s
J= -3.6N.
Example
A golfer hits a ball of mass 45g at a speed of
40m/s. The golf club is in contact with the ball
for 3ms. Compute the average force applied by
the club on the ball?
Solution
m (Mass)= 0.045 kg,
vi (Initial Velocity) = 0,
vf (Final Velocity) = 40m/s,
Impulse force F = ma =
 Two Dimensional or Oblique Collision
▪ If the initial and final velocities of colliding bodies do
not lie along the same line, then the
collision is called two dimensional or oblique
Collision.
▪ In horizontal direction,
m1u1cosα1 + m2u2cosα2= m1v1cosβ1 + m2v2cosβ2
▪ In vertical direction.
m1u1sinα1 – m2u2 sinα2 = m1u1sinβ1 – m2u2sinβ2
If m1 = m2 and α1 + α2 = 90°
then β1 + β2 = 90°
If a particle A of mass m1 moving
along z-axis with a speed u makes
an elastic collision With another
stationary body B of mass m2
From conservation law of momentum
Horizontal direction
m1u1 = m1v1cosα + m2v2cosβ

Vertical direction
O = m1v1 sinα – m2v2sinβ
Example
Two objects slide over a frictionless horizontal surface. The
first object, mass m1=5 kg, is propelled with speed u1 = 4.5
m/s toward the second object, mass m2 =2.5kg, which is
initially at rest. After the collision, both objects have velocities
which are directed at an angle of 30o on either side of the
original line of motion of the first object. What are the final
speeds of the two objects? Is the collision elastic or
inelastic?
Solution
 Center of Mass and Center of Gravity
◼ The terms "center of mass" and "center of
gravity" are used synonymously in a uniform
gravity field to represent the unique point in an
object or system which can be used to describe
the system’s response to eternal forces and
torques.
◼ Centre of mass (COM) can be considered as the
point where the entire mass of the body is
supposed to be concentrated.
 Center of Mass and Center of Gravity
◼ Centre of Mass. The Centre of mass of an
object is the point at which all the mass of the
object seems to act. In a uniform gravitational field
this is the same point as the Centre of gravity of
the object which is where all the weight of the
object seems to act.
Center of Mass and Center of Gravity

◼ O
 Center of Mass in 2-D and 3-D
◼ 2-D

◼ 3-D
Example 3

◼ Two point masses 3 kg and 5 kg are at 4 m

and 8 m from the origin on X-axis. Locate the
position of center of mass of the two point
masses (i) from the origin and (ii) from 3 kg
mass.
 Example 3
Let us take, m1 = 3 kg and m2= 5 kg
(i) To find center of mass from the origin:
The point masses are at positions, x1 = 4 m, x2 = 8
m from the origin along X axis.

The center of mass is located 6.5 m from the origin on X-axis.

 Solution 3
◼ (ii) To find the center of mass from 3 kg mass:
◼ The origin is shifted to 3 kg mass along X-axis. The position
of 3 kg point mass is zero (x1 = 0) and the position of 5 kg
point mass is 4 m from the shifted origin (x2 = 4 m).

◼ The center of mass is located 2.5 m from 3 kg point mass,

(and 1.5 m from the 5 kg point mass) on X-axis
 Center of Gravity
◼ Centre of gravity of a body is that point where the
total gravitational torque on the body is zero.
m1 gx1 + m2 gx2 + m3 gx3
X CG =
m1 g + m2 g + m3 g
◼ If the gravity, g is uniform at all point on the
system then the coincides with the Centre of
mass
m1 x1 + m2 x2 + m3 x3
X CG = = X CM
m1 + m2 + m3
Example 5
Solution 5
◼ Since the beam is uniform
◼ m1 gx1 + m2 gx2 + m3 gx3
X CG =
m1 g + m2 g + m3 g

◼ become =
m1 x1 + m2 x2 + m3 x3
X CG = X CM
m1 + m2 + m3

◼
22(1) + 5(3) +15(4)
X CG = = 2.3m
22 + 5 +15
◼ 2.3 m from the left edge.
Example 6

◼ An 8kg mass is placed at y = 3m. Where

should a 10kg mass be placed along the y-
axis so that the centre of mass will be located
at y =4.5m.

◼ The position of masses 4kg,6kg,7kg and

10kg are (0,0),(4,0),(0,5) and (5,6)
respectively. Determine the position of the
centre of mass of this system?
Solution 6a

m1 y1 + m2 y2 8(3) +10( y2 ) 24 +10 y2

Ycm =  4.5 = =
m1 + m2 8 +10 18
57
4.510 = 24 +10 y2  y2 = = 5.7m
10
 Solution 6b

◼ (X,Y)

m1x1 +m2x2 +m3x3 +m4x4 m1y1 +m2 y2 +m3y3 +m4x4

XCM = ; YCM =
m1 +m2 +m3 +m4 m1 +m2 +m3 +m4
4(0)+6(4)+7(0)+10(5) 4(0)+6(0)+7(5)+10(6)
XCM = =2.74; YCM = =3.519
4+6+7+10 4+6+7+10

◼ (2.74, 3.519)
 Moment of a Force
◼ The tendency of a force to cause an object to
rotate about an axis is known as the moment of
the force about the axis.
◼ It is also known torque which is the cross product
of the length of the object and the applied force.

 = r  F = Fr sin 
The principle of moments

◼ When an object is balanced (in equilibrium)

the sum of the clockwise moments is equal to
the sum of the anticlockwise moments.

Force 1 x distance 1 from pivot = Force 2 x

distance 2 from pivot

F1xd1 = F2xd2
1 =  2
The principle of moments
◼ The effect of having more than one force on
each side of the pivot

◼ F1d1 + F2d2 = F3d3 + F4d4

 Example 7
◼ If the force applied is perpendicular to the
handle of the spanner as shown in the
diagram, find the (i) torque exerted by the force
about the center of the nut, (ii) type of rotation
caused by the torque about the nut.
 Solution 7
Arm length of the spanner, r = 15 cm= 15×10-2m
Force, F = 2.5 N
Angle between r and F, θ = 90o

◼ (i) Torque, τ = rF sin θ

 = 1510−2  2.5 sin 90 = 37.510 −2 Nm

◼ (ii) The type of rotation caused by the torque
is anticlockwise.
Example 9
◼ Find the force needed to balance the lever.
Solution 9

◼ Anticlockwise moment = 20 x 12 = 240 Nm

Clockwise moment = 8x F
8 x F = 240
F = 30 N
Example 10
◼ Find the size of F2 in diagram below if the
object balances.
◼
Solution 10

◼ F1d1 + F3d3 = F2d2

◼ (2x5) + (1x2)= 3xF2
◼ 12 = 3F2
◼ F2 = 4
◼
Example 11

◼ Three forces act on a rod, FA = FC = 10 N and

FB = 20 N, as shown in figure below. If
distance of AB = BC = 20 cm, what is the
moment of force about point C.
 Solution 11
◼ The axis rotation at point C.
◼ Distance between FA and the axis of rotation (rAC)
= 40 cm = 0.4 meters
◼ Distance between FB and the axis of rotation (rBC)
= 20 cm = 0.2 meters
◼ Distance between FC and the axis of rotation (rCC)
= 0 cm
◼ FA = 10 Newton; FB = 20 Newton; FC = 10 Newton
◼ Moment of force A :
◼ ΣτA = (FA)(rAC sin 90o) = (10 N)(0,4 m)(1) = -4 N.m
◼ Moment of force B :
◼ ΣτB = (FB)(rBC sin 90o) = (20 N)(0,2 m)(1) = 4 N.m
Solution 11

◼ Moment of force C :
◼ ΣτC = (FC)(rCC sin 90o) = (10 N)(0)(1) = 0
◼ The resultant of the moment of force :
◼ Στ = Στ1 + Στ2 + Στ3
◼ Στ = -4 + 4 + 0
◼ Στ = 0 N.m
EXERCISE

◼ 1. A 2-kg object is moving horizontally with a

speed of 4 m/s. How much net force is
required to keep the object moving at this
speed and in this direction?
◼ A. 8 N
◼ B. 10 N
◼ C. 0 N
◼ D. 20 N
EXERCISE
◼ 2. A 4.0-kg object is moving across a friction-
free surface with a constant velocity of 2 m/s.
Which one of the following horizontal forces
is necessary to maintain this state of motion?
◼ a. 0 N
◼ b. 0.5 N
◼ c. 2.0 N
◼ d. 8.0 N
◼ e. depends on the speed.
EXERCISE
3. Rest and motion are relative terms.
◼ a) True

◼ b) False

◼ 4. A train is under a journey of several

hundred kilometers. How can it be regarded?
◼ a) An object in motion
◼ b) An object under rest
◼ c) An object under absolute motion
◼ d) A point object
EXERCISE
◼ 5. A car is moving along a zigzag path on a
level road. This is an example for which of
the following?
◼ a) Point object
◼ b) Two dimensional motion
◼ c) Three dimensional motion
◼ d) One dimensional motion

◼ 6. Displacement is a scalar quantity.

◼ a) True
◼ b) False
EXERCISE
◼ 7. A body travels from A to B at 40m/s and from B to A at
60m/s. Calculate the average speed.
◼ a) 0
◼ b) 48m/s
◼ c) 240m/s
◼ d) 3.5m/s

◼ 8. On a 60km track travels the first 30km with a uniform

speed of 30km/h. How fast must the train travel the next
30km so as to average 40km.h for the entire trip?
◼ a) 60km.h
◼ b) 90km/h
◼ c) 120km/h
◼ d) 30km/h
EXERCISE
◼ 9. If the forces acting upon an object are balanced, then
the object
◼ a. must not be moving.
◼ b. must be moving with a constant velocity.
◼ c. must not be accelerating.
◼ d. none of these

◼ 10. Suppose that a sled is accelerating at a rate of 2

m/s2. If the net force is tripled and the mass is halved,
then what is the new acceleration of the sled?
◼ A. 20 m/s2
◼ B. 8 m/s2
◼ C. 12 m/s2
◼ D. 6 m/s2