Chapter 4: Forces

• What is a force? Identifying forces.

• What is the connection between force and
motion?
• How are forces related when two objects
interact?
• Application –
– different forces (field forces, contact forces)
– different situations
 Dynamics Isaac Newton
1642-1727

Sir Isaac Newton asked:

If there is acceleration, what happens to motion?

In fact, when is there motion?

Newton’s three laws of motion

 Newton’s First Law
(or law of INERTIA)

“Every object continues in a state of

rest or in a state of motion in a straight
line at constant speed, unless it is
compelled to change that state by forces
exerted on it”
Simply stated, the motion remains
unchanged unless there is a force present.
Inertia: if moving, it keeps on moving!!
 Newton's First Law of Motion

• An object continues in a state of rest or in a

state of motion at a constant speed along a
straight line, unless compelled to change that
state by a NET force.

) ) (
Net Force ≠ 0 Net Force = 0
 Newton’s Second Law

“The acceleration produced by a net

force on an object is directly
proportional to the force and inversely
proportional to the object’s mass”

The net force is the total sum of all forces

on the object.
 Newton’s second law

net force
Acceleration ~ mass
Net force is a
vector

F
a= 1 Newton =
kg • m/s2
m
F = ma
acceleration is
a vector
 Question 0

A hockey puck (m=0.2kg) is dragged by a force

of 10N. What is its acceleration?
1. 10m/s2
2. 0.2m/s2
3. 50 m/s2

and its direction? Same as the force’s!

 If there is no net force?

Æacceleration is zero F
a= =0
Æ velocity is constant!! m

WEIGHT

BOOK
TABLE a=0
NORMAL FORCE
EQUILIBRIUM!!
 If there is no net force?

velocity is constant Net Force =0

F=0= Drag

Weight — Drag
Æ terminal velocity
Weight

Net Force =0
PULL

FRICTION
 Question 1: You push with a 20-N horizontal force on a 2-kg
mass resting on a horizontal surface against a horizontal
frictional force of 12N. What is the acceleration of the mass?

1. Cannot tell from this information.

2. 10 m/s2
3. 6.0 m/s2
4. 4.0 m/s2

a=(F-Ffr)/m=4m/s2
 Newton's Second Law of Motion

When a net external force acts on an object of

mass m, the acceleration a that results is
directly proportional to the net force and has a
magnitude that is inversely proportional to the
mass. The direction of the acceleration is the
same as the direction of the net force.
G
G FNET G G
a= FNET = ma
m
Mass – measure of inertia (kg)
FNET , x FNET , y
Vectors! ax = ay =
m m
 Lab #2: Forces and Equilibrium

• Equilibrium: forces balanced, acceleration = 0

• If a=0, forces are balanced
• Weight: Force due to gravity: Fg = mass*g
• Balance forces: both in x and y
G
∑F = 0 ∑F x =0

∑F y =0
 Reminders

• For specific questions on LonCapa problems, you can

use “Send Message” resource. Try to be SPECIFIC and
CLEAR on you question.

• RQ#5 due tomorrow 10am

• HW#3 due today 6/26, 11:59pm.
• HW#4 due Sunday 7/01, 11:59pm

• Lab sessions:
• PRINT OUT Lab Report before going to labs
– Download lab report from LONCAPA website
– Fill out the Pre-lab questions BEFORE going to lab!
• CAPA sessions: Clippinger 036, M-Th, 1-5pm

• EXAM 1: Next Thursday (06/29).

– Topics: Chapters 1 and 2 (including related Lab material)
 You and a friend are sliding a large 100-kg box across the
floor. Your friend pulls to the right with a force of 250N.
You push to the right with a force of 300N. The frictional
force of the floor opposes the motion with a force of 500N.
What is the acceleration of the box?

(1) 0.5 m/s2 to the left (2) 0.5 m/s2 to the right
(3) 1.0 m/s2 to the left (4) 1.0 m/s2 to the right
(5) 2.0 m/s2 to the left (6) 2.0 m/s2 to the right
(7) 5.5 m/s2 to the left (8) 5.5 m/s2 to the right
(9) 10.5 m/s2 to the left (0) 10.5 m/s2 to the right

Net force 50N to the right

a = F/m
You and a friend are sliding a large 100-kg box across the
floor. Your friend pulls to the right with a force of 250N.
The frictional force of the floor opposes the motion with a
force of 500N. The box has an acceleration of 1.0m/s2 to
the right. What is the force that you exert on the box?

(1) 100N to the left (2) 100N to the right

(3) 300N to the left (4) 300N to the right
(5) 350N to the left (6) 350N to the right
(7) 450N to the left (8) 450N to the right

Net Force is 100N to right (m*a).

100N = F + 250N – 500N
 You and a friend are pulling a large 100-kg box across a
very slippery floor. Your friend pulls to the East with a
force of 300N. You pull North with a force of 300N. The
force due to friction is negligible (someone iced up the
floor). What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the
box?

(1) 3 m/s2 (2) 4.2 m/s2 (3) 4.5 m/s2 (4) 6 m/s2 (5) 12 m/s2

Net force is 424N 45º North of East. a = F/m

 Linking Kinematics and Dynamics

accel
Force, Mass position,velocity

accel accel, time

A 550-kg car increases its speed from 20m/s to

40m/s over a flat stretch of road 400m long. What
is the average NET horizontal force on the car?
• Want NET force – Find acceleration from kinematic variables
• Given acceleration, find net force
• a = 1.5 m/s2 FNET = 825N
If drag forces on car are 340N, what is the magnitude of the
force propelling the car forward?
 Newton’s Third Law

Whenever one object exerts a force on a

second object, the second object exerts
an equal and opposite force on the first
OR
For every action there is always an
opposed equal reaction
 Newton's Third Law of Motion
Whenever one body exerts a force on a second body, the
second body exerts an oppositely directed force of equal
magnitude on the first body.

Action/Reaction Pairs (each applied on a different body)

Man presses wall (action).
Normal force on man’s arm
(reaction) G
Forces applied: ∑ F =0
1. On the wall:
• Push from man’s arm
• base support (keeps it
from moving)
2. On the man:
• Normal from wall
• Friction
 ON HAND

ON WALL

WEIGHT
ON ROCK

ON FLOOR

ON FOOT
PULL UP
ON EARTH
 You are standing on ice (consider this to be frictionless).
Your friend (mass=60kg) pushes you (mass=80kg). Your
acceleration is +1.0m/s2. What is your friend's acceleration?

(1) 0 m/s2 (2) +0.75 m/s2 (3) +1.0 m/s2

(4) +1.33 m/s2 (5) -0.75 m/s2 (6) -1.0 m/s2
(7) -1.33 m/s2

Same magnitude force in opposite direction.

80N in –x direction. a = F/m
 Two cars are pushed apart by a spring. The blue car is
roughly double the mass of the red car.
The magnitude of the force that the blue car exerts on the
red car is _______ the magnitude of the force that the red
car exerts on the blue car.
1. greater than
2. equal to
3. less than
 Fundamental Forces

• Electroweak Force – Electromagnetism and

Weak Nuclear Force
• Strong Nuclear Force
• Gravitational Force
This course: Gravitation (fundamental) and non-
fundamental electromagnetic-related forces
(e.g., the normal force)

Contact and action-at-a-distance forces.

Examples:
Contact forces: normal force, friction, …
‘Action-at-a-distance': Gravitation, magnetism,…
 Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
m1m2
F =G 2
r
• Always attractive along line between objects
• G constant
• r is distance between objects
• 'g' at surface of earth:
 mEARTH 
FGRAVITY = m G 2  = mg
 r 
 EARTH 
• Gravitational force between ALL objects
• Action-reaction
• Superposition – forces add!
 Cavendish measures G in 1798

WEAK FORCE!!
(weakest in nature)
 What’s the earth’s mass?

Knowing G one can in fact get earth’s mass! m1m2

F =G 2
d
The weight of a 1kg mass is 9.8N and it is at ~6400 km from the
earth’s center Æ

me ⋅1kg
F = 9.8 N = G 2
(6400, 000m)

Æ me = 6 x 1024 kg
 Consider two situations: an astronaut standing on Earth
and on the Moon.

1. The astronaut’s mass is greater on Earth.

2. The astronaut’s mass is greater on the Moon.
3. The astronaut’s mass is the same in both
places.

Mass is independent of weight

 Surfaces

• 'Normal' Force
– Always perpendicular to surface
– "Reaction Force" – reacts to applied forces
• Friction
– Always parallel to surface
What is the magnitude of the normal force of the table on
the box?

(1) 100N
(2) 100N + F cosθ
(3) 100N - F cosθ
(4) 100N + F sinθ
(5) 100N - F sinθ
Fy
(6) F cosθ
(7) F sinθ
ΣFY = 0 = FN – 100 N - Fsinθ
 Reminders
• For specific questions on LonCapa problems, you can
use “Send Message” resource. Try to be SPECIFIC and
CLEAR on you question.

• HW#4 due Sunday 7/01, 11:59pm

• RQ#6 due Monday 7/02 10am.
• RQ#7 due Tuesday 7/03 10am.
• HW#5 due Sunday 7/08, 11:59pm.

• Lab sessions:
• PRINT OUT Lab Report before going to labs
– Download lab report from LONCAPA website
– Fill out the Pre-lab questions BEFORE going to lab!
• CAPA sessions: Clippinger 036, M-Th, 1-5pm

• EXAM 1: tomorrow (06/29).

– Topics: Chapters 1 and 2 (including related Lab material)
• EXAM 2: Next Thursday (07/08).
– Topics: Chapters 3 and 4 (including related Lab material)
 Apparent Weight

FN

No acceleration a upward a downward Free fall (a=g)

W (v=const): W=FN FN>W FN<W FN=0

ma=FNET=W-FN
• Normal force not always equal to weight!
• Bathroom scale reads same as normal force
• Apparent weight is simply the normal force.
You are on an elevator which is accelerating upward at 2.00m/s2.
Your mass is 80.0kg, and the elevator has a mass of 500kg.
How does the normal force (FN) compare to your weight (Fg)?

1. normal force > weight

2. normal force = weight
3. normal force < weight

Draw FBD for 'you'. ΣFy = FN – Fg = may

FN = Fg + may = mg + may = 80kg*(9.8m/s2 + 2m/s2) = 944N

A cable is used to pull the elevator upward. What is the force of the
cable on the elevator?

What is the normal force on you if the elevator is traveling at constant

velocity upward?
ΣFy = FN – Fg = may = 0
 Solving problems with Forces

• Draw picture and define axes

• Isolate objects – draw Free Body Diagrams
(FBD) for each object
– gravity?
– anything else touching object?
– Friction? Direction?
• Write down sum of forces in each direction
• Solve
 Friction

FFriction = µFnormal

• Kinetic if two surfaces slipping relative to each other

FFriction,KINETIC = µ KINETIC Fnormal

• Static if not
FFriction,STATIC ≤ µSTATIC Fnormal
µ depends on materials – look up or calculate

• Static Force of Friction "Reaction Force"

A box weighing 10N is moving to the right under the influence
of a 10N horizontal force. µs=0.4 and µk=0.3. What is the
magnitude and direction of the frictional force?

(1) 1N to the left

(2) 1N to the right
(3) 3N to the left
(4) 3N to the right
(5) 4N to the left Moving, so use µk.
(6) 4N to the right Ff = µk * FN
ΣFY = 0 = FN – 10 N
FN = 10 N
 The 10N force is now applied at an angle downwards.
Compare the new acceleration with the previous
acceleration (from the horizontal force).

1. Greater than the previous acceleration

2. Same as the previous acceleration
3. Less than the previous acceleration
4. Cannot determine from information given

Normal force increases, friction force increases.

At same time, component of 10N in direction of motion decreases.
 Solving problems with Forces

• Draw picture and define axes

• Isolate objects – draw Free Body Diagrams
(FBD) for each object
– gravity?
– anything else touching object?
• Write down sum of forces in each direction
• Solve
 Example

A 100.-N box is being pushed across a floor by a

force of 80N which is being applied in a direction
30º below the horizontal. The coefficients of friction
are µs=0.4 and µk=0.3. What is the acceleration of
the box?

a = 2.68m/s2
 Incline
• Gravity downward - has parallel and perpendicular
components
• Normal force still perpendicular to surface
• Friction parallel FN
• Often convenient to tilt coordinate axes

Fg
A 30-kg (294-N) crate is sliding down an incline at an angle
30° below the horizontal. The kinetic coefficient of friction
is 0.3 between the crate and the ramp. What is the
acceleration of the crate?

• Draw picture and define axes

• Isolate objects – draw Free Body Diagrams (FBD)
for each object
– gravity?
– anything else touching object?
• Write down sum of forces in each direction
• Solve
 Tension – Ropes/Pulleys

• For now, massless

pulley and rope
• Rope can only pull – Force T is applied to the rope
force in direction of
rope
• Tension same in all
parts of rope Force is transmitted to the box
(massless rope)
• Tension – Force rope
exerts on other objects
Rope: equal forces applied
• Magnitude of v and a to both ends
same for all objects on Force T applied to one
rope (pulley changes end of the rope is
direction). always transmitted to
the other end.
 Two people pull on opposite ends of a massless rope. Each
pulls with a force of 40N. What is the tension of the rope?

(1) 0N
(2) 20N
(3) 40N
(4) 80N
Look at one person. Not accelerating. FPerson on Rope = - Frope on person
Force of rope on person is the tension.
 Solving problems with Forces

• Draw picture and define axes

• Isolate objects – draw Free Body Diagrams
(FBD) for each object
– gravity?
– anything else touching object?
– Friction? Direction?
• Write down sum of forces in each direction
• Solve
 Friction

• Direction?
– Does it ALWAYS oppose movement?
– What about when you walk?
– What about “Rolling stones”?
 Friction is NOT negligible between the bottom of the sled and
the snow. You can either push forward and down at an angle θ
or pull up and forward at the same angle. If F1=F2 and angle are
the same, which situation has the greater acceleration?

(1) The push

(2) The pull
(3) Both are equal

Horizontal component of force same.

Normal force, and therefore frictional force, less in second case.
A crate sits in the back of a pickup track. Assume there is
no friction between the truck and the crate and that the
crate is not tied down. The truck starts from rest at a
stoplight. The crate will:

1. Head towards the front of the truck

2. Head towards the tailgate
3. Stay in the same spot in the back.
Three boxes are accelerating to the right at a rate of 2.0m/s2.
All 3 have non-zero mass.

How do T1, T2, and T3 relate?

(1) T1 = T2 = T3 (2) T1 < T2 < T3 (3) T3 < T2 < T1
(4) T1 < T2 = T3 (5) T3 = T2 < T1 (6) T1 = T2 < T3
 Reminders
• HW#4: deadline extended to today, 11:59pm

• RQ#7 due Tuesday 7/03 10am.

• HW#5 due Sunday 7/08, 11:59pm.
• No labs/Capa session this Wed. 07/04

• Lab sessions:
• PRINT OUT Lab Report before going to labs
– Download lab report from LONCAPA website
– Fill out the Pre-lab questions BEFORE going to lab!
• CAPA sessions: Clippinger 036, M-Th, 1-5pm
– No CAPA sessions on Wed. 07/04

• EXAM 2: this Thursday (07/08).

– Topics: Chapters 3 and 4 (including related Lab material)
 Example: Three Boxes

Three boxes are accelerating to the right at a rate of

2.0m/s2 on a smooth surface.
The mass of block A is 2kg and the mass of block B
is 1kg. The tension in rope 3 (T3) is 12N.
Find the tensions in the ropes (T1,T2) and the mass
of block C.
 Solution

Data:
a=2.0m/s2 for all blocks (no friction).
mA =2kg, mB=1kg. T3=12N.
T1=? T2=?.
Solution:
FBD in body A: FNET in A=mA.a=T1 → T1=4N

FBD in body B: FNET in B =mB.a=T2-T1 → T2=mBa+T1=2+4=6N

FBD in body C: FNET in C =mC.a=T3-T2

2mc=T3-T2=6N → mc=3 kg
A 200-N box is hanging from a rope. Two ropes attach the
box to the ceiling at the angles given. What is the tension
in each rope?

T1 T2

θ1=30° θ2 = 60°

T3

200N
A 200-N box is hanging from a rope. Two ropes attach the
box to the ceiling at the angles given. What is the tension
in each rope?
T1 T2 Solution

θ1=30° θ2 = 60°

T3 Fx:
200N Fy:
 Example: Accelerating Blocks

Block 1 (mass m1=8.00 kg) is moving on a frictionless 30o

incline. This block is connected to block 2 (mass m2=22 kg)
by a massless cord that passes over a massless and
frictionless pulley (see Fig.) Find the acceleration a on each
block and the tension in the cord.
 Solution: Accelerating Blocks

m1=8.00 kg, angle= 30o m2=22 kg

FBD block 1:

FBD block 2:
Massless rope/pulley:

Two equations, two unknwons:

T=86.3 N
a=5.89 m/s2
 Chapter 4

∑ F = ma
g= 9.8 m/s2 downward
G G
∑ F = ma
G=6.673x10-11 N m2/kg2 x x
G G G
G r − r0 ∆r
v= =
t − t0 ∆t ∑ F = ma
y y
G
G ∆v 1 2
a= x = v x 0t + a x t
∆t m1m2
Fg = G 2 2
c2 = a2 + b2 r 1
x = (v x 0 + v x )t

sin θ =
opposite Fg = mg 2
hypotenuse vx = vx 0 + axt
adjacent FFRICTION = µFN
cos θ =
hypotenuse v x2 = v x20 + 2a x x
opposite
tan θ =
adjacent