General Physics 1

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 6B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

MASS
Newton’s second law, makes use of the concept of mass. Newton used the term mass as a
synonym for quantity of matter. This intuitive notion of the mass of an object is not very precise because
the concept “quantity of matter” is not very well defined.

To quantify the concept of mass, we must define a standard. In SI units, the unit of mass is the
kilogram (kg) as we discussed in your module 1. The terms mass and weight are often confused with
one another, but it is important to distinguish between them. Mass is a property of an object itself (a
measure of an object’s inertia, or its “quantity of matter”). Weight, on the other hand, is a force, the
pull of gravity acting on an object. Mas and weight are related as:
w =mg
(Where in m is the mass, and g as the acceleration due to gravity.)

NEWTON’S SECOND LAW OF MOTION

Newton’s first law states that if no net force is acting on an object at rest, the object remains at
rest; or if the object is moving, it continues moving with constant speed in a straight line. “The
acceleration of an objects is directly proportional to the net force acting on it, and is inversely
proportional to its mass. The direction of the acceleration is in the direction of the net force acting on
the object.” This is Newton’s second of motion
Newton’s second law can be written as an equation: 𝐚⃗ =
∑𝐅
𝑚
,
Where 𝐚⃗ stands for acceleration, m for the mass, and ∑ 𝐅 for the net force on the object. The
symbol ∑ (Greek “sigma”) stands for the “sum of”; 𝐅 stands for force, so ∑ 𝐅 means the vector sum of
all forces acting on the object, which we define as the net force. We rearrange this equation to obtain
the familiar statement of Newton’s second law: ∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗. Newton’s second law relates the description
of motion to the cause of motion, force. Every force 𝐅 is a vector, with magnitude and direction, ∑ 𝐅 =
𝑚𝐚⃗ is a vector equation valid in any inertial frame. It can be written in component form in rectangular
coordinates as
 General Physics 1
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 6B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

An Atwood Machine is a basic physics laboratory device often used to demonstrate basic
principles of dynamics and acceleration. The machine typically involves a pulley, a string, and a
system of masses. Keys to solving Atwood Machine problems are recognizing that the force
transmitted by a string or rope, known as tension, is constant throughout the string, and choosing
a consistent direction as positive.

Question: Two masses, m1 and m2, are hanging by a massless string from a frictionless pulley. If
m1 is greater than m2, determine the acceleration of the two masses when released from rest.
Answer: First, identify a direction as positive. Since you can easily observe that m1 will accelerate
downward and m2 will accelerate upward, since m1 > m2, call the direction of motion around
the pulley and down toward m1 the positive y direction. Then, you can create free body
diagrams for both object m1 and m2, as shown below:

Using this diagram, write Newton’s 2nd law equations for both objects, taking care to note the
positive y direction: 𝒎𝟏 𝒈 − 𝑻 = 𝒎𝟏 𝒂 (𝟏), 𝑻 − 𝒎𝟐 𝒈 = 𝒎𝟐 𝒂 (𝟐). Next, combine the equations and
eliminate T by solving for T in equation (2) and substituting in for T in equation (1).
𝑻 − 𝒎𝟐 𝒈 = 𝒎𝟐 𝒂 (𝟐), 𝑻 = 𝒎𝟐 𝒈 + 𝒎𝟐 𝒂 (𝟐𝒃), 𝒎𝟏 𝒈 − 𝒎𝟐 𝒈 − 𝒎𝟐 𝒂 = 𝒎𝟏 𝒂 (𝟏 + 𝟐𝒃). Finally, solve for the
acceleration of the system.
𝑚1 𝑔 − 𝑚2 𝑔 − 𝑚2 𝑎 = 𝑚1 𝑎 (1 + 2𝑏)
𝑚1 𝑔 − 𝑚2 𝑔 = 𝑚1 𝑎 + 𝑚2 𝑎
𝑔(𝑚1 − 𝑚2 ) = 𝑎(𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )
(𝒎𝟏 − 𝒎𝟐 )
𝒂=𝒈
(𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 )

Alternately, you could treat both masses as part of the same system. Drawing a dashed line
around the system, you can directly write an appropriate Newton’s 2nd law equation for the
entire system.
𝑚1 𝑔 − 𝑚2 𝑔 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑎
(𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 )
𝒂=𝒈
(𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 )

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1: if the force is given as 2.0N along the x axis and the mass is 500 g, we change
the latter to 0.50 kg, and the acceleration will then automatically come out in m/s 2 when
Newton’s second law is used. (We set 1 N = 1 kg.m/s2).
Given: F= 2.0 N
m= 500 g convert to kg (0.50kg)
Unknown: a= acceleration
Formula: ∑𝐅
𝐚⃗ =
𝑚
Solution
∑𝐅
𝐚⃗ =
Solve first for acceleration since 𝑚
2.0 N
it is the unknown or the required: 𝐚⃗ =
0.50 𝑘𝑔
(Don’t forget to cancel the kg
2.0 kg . m/𝑠2
unit) 𝐚⃗ =
0.50 𝑘𝑔
𝐚⃗ = 4.0 m/𝑠2
 General Physics 1
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 6B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2: Force to accelerate a fast car. Estimate the net force needed to accelerate
(a) a 1000kg car at ½ g; (b) a 200g apple at the same rate.
Given: a= ½(9.8 m/s2) =4.9 m/s2
m(car)= 1000kg
m(apple)= 200g convert to kg- 0.200kg
Unknown: ∑ 𝐹
Formula: ∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗
Solution
a) ∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗
∑ 𝐅 = (1000kg) (4.9 m/s2)
∑ 𝐅 = 4900 N
Solve for the net force:
b) ∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗
∑ 𝐅 = (0.200 kg) (4.9 m/s2)
∑ 𝐅 = 0.98 N

SAMPLE PROBLEM 3: Force to stop a car. What average net force is required to bring a 1500-kg
car to rest from a speed of 100 km/hr within a distance of 55m?

Given: m= 1500kg
s= 100 km/hr convert to m/s= 27.78 m/s= initial velocity
d= 55 m
Unknown: ∑ 𝐹 and 𝐚⃗
∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗
Formula: 𝑉 2 −𝑉 2
𝑉𝑓2 = 𝑉𝑖2 + 2𝑎(𝑑2 − 𝑑1 ) derived formula 𝑎 = 𝑓 𝑖 2 (𝑑2− 𝑑1 )
Solution
02 − (27.78 𝑚/𝑠)2
Using the derived formula solve 𝑎 =
2 (55𝑚)
for the acceleration:
𝒂 = −𝟕. 𝟎𝟐 𝐦/𝒔𝟐
∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗
𝐦
∑ 𝐅 = (1500 𝑘𝑔) (−7.02 𝟐 )
After solving for acceleration 𝒔
use the solved value to solve for ∑ 𝐅 = −𝟏. 𝟎𝟓 𝐱 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝐍
the net force: The force must be exerted in the direction opposite to the initial
velocity which is what the negative sign means.

SAMPLE PROBLEM 4: What force is needed to accelerate a child on a sled (total mass = 60.0 kg)
at 1.25 m/𝑠 2?

Given: m= 60.0 kg
a= 1.25 𝐦/𝒔𝟐
Unknown: ∑𝐹
Formula: ∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗
Solution
∑ 𝐅 = 𝑚𝐚⃗
m
Solve for the electric field: ∑ 𝐅 = (60.0 𝑘𝑔)(1.25 2) 𝑠
∑ 𝐅 = 75 N
 General Physics 1
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 6B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

SAMPLE PROBLEM 5: (a) Find the acceleration of an Atwood Machine if 𝑚𝐴 = 3 𝑘𝑔 and 𝑚𝐵 = 5 𝑘𝑔.
(b) Find the tension in the string connecting the two masses.

Given: 𝑚𝐴 = 3 𝑘𝑔 and 𝑚𝐵 = 5 𝑘𝑔
Unknown: Acceleration and Tension
Formula: (𝑚𝐵 − 𝑚𝐴 )
𝑎= 𝑔
(𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 )
2𝑚𝐴 𝑚𝐵 𝑔
𝑇=
(𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 )
Solution
Part a
(𝑚𝐵 − 𝑚𝐴 )
𝑎= 𝑔
(𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 )
Solve for the acceleration: (5000 𝑔 − 3000 𝑔) 𝑚
(Do not forget to cancel the units) 𝑎 = (9.8 )
(5000 𝑔 + 3000 𝑔) 𝑠2
𝑚
𝑎 = 0.25 (9.8 2 )
𝑠
𝒂 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟓 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
Part b
2𝑚𝐴 𝑚𝐵 𝑔
𝑇=
(𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 )
𝑚
2(3 𝑘𝑔)(5 𝑘𝑔)(9.8 2 )
Solve for the tension: 𝑇 = 𝑠
(Do not forget to cancel the unit kg) (3 𝑘𝑔 + 5 𝑘𝑔)
294 𝑘𝑔2 𝑚/𝑠2
𝑇=
8 𝑘𝑔
𝑇 = 36.75 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚/𝑠2
𝑻 = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟕𝟓 𝑵