In Text Questions

Page No: 118

1. Which of the following has more inertia: (a) a rubber ball and a stone of the same size? (b)
a bicycle and a train? (c) a five-rupees coin and a one-rupee coin?

Answer

Inertia is the measure of the mass of the body. The greater is the mass of the body; the greater
is its inertia and vice-versa.

(a) Mass of a stone is more than the mass of a rubber ball for the same size. Hence, inertia of
the stone is greater than that of a rubber ball.

(b) Mass of a train is more than the mass of a bicycle. Hence, inertia of the train is greater
than that of the bicycle.

(c) Mass of a five rupee coin is more than that of a one-rupee coin. Hence, inertia of the five
rupee coin is greater than that of the one-rupee coin.

2. In the following example, try to identify the number of times the velocity of the ball
changes:
"A football player kicks a football to another player of his team who kicks the football
towards the goal. The goalkeeper of the opposite team collects the football and kicks it
towards a player of his own team".
Also identify the agent supplying the force in each case.

Answer

The velocity of football changes four times.

First, when a football player kicks to another player, second when that player kicks the
football to the goalkeeper. Third when the goalkeeper stops the football. Fourth when the
goalkeeper kicks the football towards a player of his own team.

Agent supplying the force:

→ First case – First player
→ Second case – Second player
→ Third case – Goalkeeper
→ Fourth case – Goalkeeper

3. Explain why some of the leaves may get detached from a tree if we vigorously shake its
branch.

Answer

Some leaves of a tree get detached when we shake its branches vigorously because branches
comes in motion while the leaves tend to remain at rest due to inertia of rest.

4. Why do you fall in the forward direction when a moving bus brakes to a stop and fall
backwards when it accelerates from rest?

Answer

In a moving bus, a passenger moves with the bus due to inertia of motion. As the driver
applies brakes, the bus comes to rest. But, the passenger tries to maintain to inertia of motion.
As a result, a forward force is exerted on him.
Similarly, the passenger tends to fall backwards when the bus accelerates from rest because
when the bus accelerates, the inertia of rest of the passenger tends to oppose the forward
motion of the bus. Hence, the passenger tends to fall backwards when the bus accelerates
forward.
 
Page No: 126

1. If action is always equal to the reaction, explain how a horse can pull a cart.

Answer

A horse pushes the ground in the backward direction. According to Newton's third law of
motion, a reaction force is exerted by the Earth on the horse in the forward direction. As a
result, the cart moves forward.

2. Explain, why is it difficult for a fireman to hold a hose, which ejects large amounts of
water at a high velocity.

Answer

When a fireman holds a hose, which is ejecting large amounts of water at a high velocity,
then a reaction force is exerted on him by the ejecting water in the backward direction. This is
because of Newton's third law of motion. As a result of the backward force, the stability of
the fireman
decreases. Hence, it is difficult for him to remain stable while holding the hose.

3. From a rifle of mass 4 kg, a bullet of mass 50 g is fired with an initial velocity of 35 m s−1.
Calculate the initial recoil velocity of the rifle.

Answer

Mass of the rifle, m1= 4 kg

Mass of the bullet, m2= 50g= 0.05 kg
Recoil velocity of the rifle= v1
Bullet is fired with an initial velocity, v2= 35m/s
Initially, the rifle is at rest.
Thus, its initial velocity, v= 0
Total initial momentum of the rifle and bullet system= (m1+m2)v= 0
Total momentum of the rifle and bullet system after firing:
= m1v1 + m2v2= 0.05 × 35= 4v1 + 1.75

According to the law of conservation of momentum:

Total momentum after the firing = Total momentum before the firing  4v1 + 1.75= 0
v1= -1.75 / 4= -0.4375 m/s
The negative sign indicates that the rifle recoils backwards with a velocity of 0.4375 m/s.

Page No: 127

4. Two objects of masses 100 g and 200 g are moving along the same line and direction with
velocities of 2 m s−1 and 1 m s−1, respectively. They collide and after the collision, the first
object moves at a velocity of 1.67 m s−1. Determine the velocity of the second object.

Answer

Mass of one of the objects, m1 = 100 g = 0.1 kg

Mass of the other object, m2 = 200 g = 0.2 kg
Velocity of m1 before collision, v1= 2 m/s
Velocity of m2 before collision, v2= 1 m/s
Velocity of m1 after collision, v3= 1.67 m/s
Velocity of m2 after collision= v4

According to the law of conservation of momentum:

Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision
Therefore, m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v3 + m2v4
                  2(0.1) + 1(0.2) = 1.67(0.1) + v4(0.2)
                  0.4 = 0.167 + 0.2v4
                  v4= 1.165 m/s
Hence, the velocity of the second object becomes 1.165 m/s after the collision.

Page No: 128

Excercises

1. An object experiences a net zero external unbalanced force. Is it possible for the object to
be travelling with a non-zero velocity? If yes, state the conditions that must be placed on the
magnitude and direction of the velocity. If no, provide a reason.

Answer

Yes, an object may travel with a non-zero velocity even when the net external force on it is
zero. A rain drop falls down with a constant velocity. The weight of the drop is balanced by
the up thrust and the velocity of air. The net force on the drop is zero.

2. When a carpet is beaten with a stick, dust comes out of it. Explain.

Answer

When the carpet is beaten, it is suddenly set into motion. The dust particles tend to remain at
rest due to inertia of rest, therefore the dust comes out of it.

3. Why is it advised to tie any luggage kept on the roof of a bus with a rope?

Answer
When a bust starts suddenly, the lower part of the luggage kept on the roof being in contact
with the bus begins to move forward with the speed of bus, but the upper part tends to remain
at rest due to inertia of rest. Therefore, the upper part is left behind and hence luggage falls
backward. So, it is advised to tie any luggage kept on the roof of a bus with a rope.

4. A batsman hits a cricket ball which then rolls on a level ground. After covering a short
distance, the ball comes to rest. The ball slows to a stop because
(a) the batsman did not hit the ball hard enough.
(b) velocity is proportional to the force exerted on the ball.
(c) there is a force on the ball opposing the motion.
(d) there is no unbalanced force on the ball, so the ball would want to come to rest.

Answer

The ball slows down and comes to rest due to opposing forces of air resistance and frictional
force on the ball opposing its motion. Therefore the choice (c) there is a force on the ball
opposing the motion is correct.

5.  A truck starts from rest and rolls down a hill with a constant acceleration. It travels a
distance of 400 m in 20 s. Find its acceleration. Find the force acting on it if its mass is 7
metric tonnes (Hint: 1 metric tonne = 1000 kg).

Answer

Initial velocity, u = 0 
Distance travelled, s = 400 m
Time taken, t = 20 s

We know, s = ut + ½ at2

Or, 400 = 0 + ½ a (20)2

Or, a = 2 ms–2
Now, m = 7 MT = 7000 kg, a = 2 ms–2
Or, F = ma = 7000 × 2 = 14000 N Ans.

6. A stone of 1 kg is thrown with a velocity of 20 m s−1 across the frozen surface of a lake and
comes to rest after travelling a distance of 50 m. What is the force of friction between the
stone and the ice?

Answer

Initial velocity of the stone, u= 20 m/s

Final velocity of the stone, v= 0
Distance covered by the stone, s= 50 m
Since, v2 - u2
2 = 2as,
Or, 0 - 202 = 2a × 50,
Or, a = – 4 ms-2
Force of friction, F = ma = – 4N
7. A 8000 kg engine pulls a train of 5 wagons, each of 2000 kg, along a horizontal track. If
the engine exerts a force of 40000 N and the track offers a friction force of 5000 N, then
calculate:
(a) the net accelerating force;
(b) the acceleration of the train; and
(c)the force of wagon 1 on wagon 2.

Answer

(a) Force exerted by the engine, F = 40000 N

Frictional force offered by the track, Ff = 5000 N
Net accelerating force, Fa = F − Ff = 40000 − 5000 = 35000 N
Hence, the net accelerating force is 35000 N.

(b) Acceleration of the train = a

The engine exerts a force of 40000 N on all the five wagons.
Net accelerating force on the wagons, Fa = 35000 N
Mass of the wagons, m = Mass of a wagon x Number of wagons
Mass of a wagon = 2000 kg
Number of wagons = 5
∴ m = 2000 × 5 = 10000 kg
Total mass, M = m  = 10000 kg
From Newton’s second law of motion:
Fa= Ma
a=Fam   = 35000 10000    = 3.5 ms-2
Hence, the acceleration of the wagons and the train is 3.5 m/s2.

(c) Mass of all the wagons except wagon 1 is 4 × 2000 = 8000 kg

Acceleration of the wagons = 3.5 m/s2
Thus, force exerted on all the wagons except wagon 1
= 8000 × 3.5 = 28000 N
Therefore, the force exerted by wagon 1 on the remaining four wagons is 28000  N.
Hence, the force exerted by wagon 1 on wagon 2 is 28000  N.

8. An automobile vehicle has a mass of 1500 kg. What must be the force between the vehicle
and road if the vehicle is to be stopped with a negative acceleration of 1.7 m s−2?

Answer

Mass of the automobile vehicle, m= 1500 kg

Final velocity, v= 0 (finally the automobile stops)
Acceleration of the automobile, a= −1.7 ms−2
From Newton’s second law of motion:
Force = Mass x Acceleration = 1500 x (−1.7) = −2550 N
Hence, the force between the automobile and the road is −2550 N, in the direction opposite to
the motion of the automobile.

9. What is the momentum of an object of mass m, moving with a velocity v?

 (a (mv)2 (b mv2 (c ½ mv2 (d) m
) ) ) v

Answer

(d) mv
Mass of the object = m
Velocity = v
Momentum = Mass x Velocity
Momentum = mv

10. Using a horizontal force of 200 N, we intend to move a wooden cabinet across a floor at a
constant velocity. What is the friction force that will be exerted on the cabinet?

Answer

The cabinet will move with constant velocity only when the net force on it is zero.
Therefore, force of friction on the cabinet = 200 N, in a direction opposite to the direction of
motion of the cabinet.

11. Two objects, each of mass 1.5 kg are moving in the same straight line but in opposite
directions. The velocity of each object is 2.5 ms−1 before the collision during which they stick
together. What will be the velocity of the combined object after collision?

Answer

Mass of one of the objects, m1 = 1.5 kg

Mass of the other object, m2 = 1.5 kg
Velocity of m1 before collision, u1 = 2.5 m/s
Velocity of m2, moving in opposite direction before collision, u2 = −2.5 m/s
Let v be the velocity of the combined object after collision. By the law of conservation of
momentum,
Total momentum after collision = Total momentum before collision,
Or, (m1 + m2) v = m1u1 + m2u2
Or, (1.5 + 1.5) v = 1.5 × 2.5 +1.5 × (–2.5) [negative sign as moving in opposite direction]
Or, v = 0 ms–1

Page No: 129

12. According to the third law of motion when we push on an object, the object pushes back
on us with an equal and opposite force. If the object is a massive truck parked along the
roadside, it will probably not move. A student justifies this by answering that the two
opposite and equal forces cancel each other. Comment on this logic and explain why the
truck does not move.

Answer

The logic is that Action and Reaction always act on different bodies, so they can not cancel
each other. When we push a massive truck, the force of friction between its tyres and the road
is very large and so the truck does not move.

13. A hockey ball of mass 200 g travelling at 10 m s−1 is struck by a hockey stick so as to
return it along its original path with a velocity at 5 m s−1. Calculate the change of momentum
occurred in the motion of the hockey ball by the force applied by the hockey stick.

Answer

Mass of the hockey ball, m = 200 g = 0.2 kg

Hockey ball travels with velocity, v1 = 10 m/s
Initial momentum = mv1
Hockey ball travels in the opposite direction with velocity, v2 = −5 m/s
Final momentum = mv2
Change in momentum = mv1 − mv2 = 0.2 [10 − (−5)] = 0.2 (15) = 3 kg m s−1
Hence, the change in momentum of the hockey ball is 3 kg m s−1.

14. A bullet of mass 10 g travelling horizontally with a velocity of 150 m s−1 strikes a
stationary wooden block and comes to rest in 0.03 s. Calculate the distance of penetration of
the bullet into the block. Also calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by the wooden
block on the bullet.

Answer

Initial velocity, u= 150 m/s

Final velocity, v= 0 (since the bullet finally comes to rest)
Time taken to come to rest, t= 0.03 s
According to the first equation of motion, v= u + at
Acceleration of the bullet, a
0 = 150 + (a × 0.03 s)a = -150 / 0.03 = -5000 m/s2

(Negative sign indicates that the velocity of the bullet is decreasing.)

According to the third equation of motion:

v2= u2+ 2as
0 = (150)2+ 2 (-5000)
= 22500 / 10000
= 2.25 m

Hence, the distance of penetration of the bullet into the block is 2.25 m.
From Newton’s second law of motion:
Force, F = Mass × Acceleration
Mass of the bullet, m = 10 g = 0.01 kg
Acceleration of the bullet, a = 5000 m/s2
F = ma = 0.01 × 5000 = 50 N
Hence, the magnitude of force exerted by the wooden block on the bullet is 50 N.

15. An object of mass 1 kg travelling in a straight line with a velocity of 10 m s−1 collides
with, and sticks to, a stationary wooden block of mass 5 kg. Then they both move off together
in the same straight line. Calculate the total momentum just before the impact and just after
the impact. Also, calculate the velocity of the combined object.
Answer

Mass of the object, m1 = 1 kg

Velocity of the object before collision, v1 = 10 m/s
Mass of the stationary wooden block, m2 = 5 kg
Velocity of the wooden block before collision, v2 = 0 m/s
∴ Total momentum before collision = m1 v1 + m2 v2
= 1 (10) + 5 (0) = 10 kg m s−1

It is given that after collision, the object and the wooden block stick together.
Total mass of the combined system = m1 + m2
Velocity of the combined object = v
According to the law of conservation of momentum:
Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision
m1 v1 + m2 v2 = (m1 + m2) v
1 (10) + 5 (0) = (1 + 5) v
v = 10 / 6
=5/3

The total momentum after collision is also 10 kg m/s.

Total momentum just before the impact = 10 kg m s−1
Total momentum just after the impact = (m1 + m2) v = 6 × 5 / 3 = 10 kg ms-1
Hence, velocity of the combined object after collision = 5 / 3 ms-1

16. An object of mass 100 kg is accelerated uniformly from a velocity of 5 m s−1 to 8 m

s−1 in 6 s. Calculate the initial and final momentum of the object. Also, find the magnitude of
the force exerted on the object.

Answer

Initial velocity of the object, u = 5 m/s

Final velocity of the object, v = 8 m/s
Mass of the object, m = 100 kg
Time take by the object to accelerate, t = 6 s
Initial momentum = mu = 100 × 5 = 500 kg m s−1
Final momentum = mv = 100 × 8 = 800 kg m s−1
Force exerted on the object, F = mv - mu / t
= m (v-u) / t
= 800 - 500
=  300 / 6
= 50 N

Initial momentum of the object is 500 kg m s−1.

Final momentum of the object is 800 kg m s−1.
Force exerted on the object is 50 N.

17. Akhtar, Kiran and Rahul were riding in a motorocar that was moving with a high velocity
on an expressway when an insect hit the windshield and got stuck on the windscreen. Akhtar
and Kiran started pondering over the situation. Kiran suggested that the insect suffered a
greater change in momentum as compared to the change in momentum of the motorcar
(because the change in the velocity of the insect was much more than that of the motorcar).
Akhtar said that since the motorcar was moving with a larger velocity, it exerted a larger
force on the insect. And as a result the insect died. Rahul while putting an entirely new
explanation said that both the motorcar and the insect experienced the same force and a
change in their momentum. Comment on these suggestions.

Answer

The suggestion made by Kiran that the insect suffered a greater change in momentum as
compared to the change in momentum of the motor car is wrong. 
The suggestion made by Akhtar that the motor car exerted a larger force on the insect because
of large velocity of motor car is also wrong. The explanation put forward by Rahul is correct.
On collision of insect with motor car, both experience the same force as action and reaction
are always equal and opposite. Further, changes in their momenta are also the same. Only the
signs of changes in momenta are opposite, i.e., change in momenta of the two occur in
opposite directions, though magnitude of change in momentum of each is the same.

18. How much momentum will a dumbbell of mass 10 kg transfer to the floor if it falls from a
height of 80 cm? Take its downward acceleration to be 10 m s−2.

Answer

Mass of the dumbbell, m = 10 kg

Distance covered by the dumbbell, s = 80 cm = 0.8 m
Acceleration in the downward direction, a = 10 m/s2
Initial velocity of the dumbbell, u = 0
Final velocity of the dumbbell (when it was about to hit the floor) = v
According to the third equation of motion:
v2 = u2 + 2as
v2 = 0 + 2 (10) 0.8
v = 4 m/s
Hence, the momentum with which the dumbbell hits the floor is
= mv = 10 × 4 = 40 kg m s−1

Page No: 130

Additional Excercises

1. The following is the distance-time table of an object in motion:

Time in seconds Distance in metres

0 0

1 1

2 8
 3 27

4 64

5 125

6 216

7 343

(a) What conclusion can you draw about the acceleration? Is it constant, increasing,
decreasing, or zero?
(b)What do you infer about the forces acting on the object?

Answer

(a) There is an unequal change of distance in an equal interval of time.

Thus, the given object is having a non - uniform motion. Since the velocity of the object
increases with time, the acceleration is increasing.
(b) The object is in accelerated condition. According to Newton's second law of motion, the
force acting on an object is directly proportional to the acceleration produced in the object.
So, we can say unbalanced force is acting on the object.

2. Two persons manage to push a motorcar of mass 1200 kg at a uniform velocity along a
level road. The same motorcar can be pushed by three persons to produce an acceleration of
0.2 m s−2. With what force does each person push the motorcar?
(Assume that all persons push the motorcar with the same muscular effort)

Answer

Mass of the motor car = 1200 kg

Only two persons manage to push the car. Hence, the acceleration acquired by the car is
given by the third person alone.
Acceleration produced by the car, when it is pushed by the third person,
a = 0.2 m/s2
Let the force applied by the third person be F.
From Newton’s second law of motion:
Force = Mass × Acceleration
F = 1200 × 0.2 = 240 N
Thus, the third person applies a force of magnitude 240 N.
Hence, each person applies a force of 240 N to push the motor car.

3. A hammer of mass 500 g, moving at 50 m s−1, strikes a nail. The nail stops the hammer in a
very short time of 0.01 s. What is the force of the nail on the hammer?

Answer

Mass of the hammer, m = 500 g = 0.5 kg

Initial velocity of the hammer, u = 50 m/s
Time taken by the nail to the stop the hammer, t = 0.01 s
Velocity of the hammer, v = 0 (since the hammer finally comes to rest)
From Newton’s second law of motion:
Force, f  = m(v-u) / t
= 0.5(0-50) / 0.01
= -2500 N

The hammer strikes the nail with a force of −2500 N. Hence, from Newton’s third law of
motion, the force of the nail on the hammer is equal and opposite, i.e., +2500 N.

4. A motorcar of mass 1200 kg is moving along a straight line with a uniform velocity of 90
km/h. Its velocity is slowed down to 18 km/h in 4 s by an unbalanced external force.
Calculate the acceleration and change in momentum. Also calculate the magnitude of the
force required.

Answer

Mass of the motor car, m = 1200 kg

Initial velocity of the motor car, u = 90 km/h = 25 m/s
Final velocity of the motor car, v = 18 km/h = 5 m/s
Time taken, t = 4 s
According to the first equation of motion:
v = u + at
5 = 25 + a (4)
a = − 5 m/s2
Negative sign indicates that its a retarding motion i.e. velocity is decreasing.
Change in momentum = mv − mu = m (v−u)
= 1200 (5 − 25) = − 24000 kg m s−1
Force = Mass × Acceleration
= 1200 × − 5 = − 6000 N
Acceleration of the motor car = − 5 m/s2
Change in momentum of the motor car = − 24000 kg m s−1
Hence, the force required to decrease the velocity is 6000 N.
(Negative sign indicates retardation, decrease in momentum and retarding force)