Module 2: Dynamics

Force
Force

A force is a push or a pull. Force is a vector quantity and is measured in

Newtons N. Contact forces and Non – Contact Forces are two different
types.
The net force on an object is the vector sum of all individual forces. If an
object maintains constant velocity it is at equilibrium and the Fnet =0
Newton’s Laws

First Law
First Law: An object will maintain its velocity unless acted on by an
external force.
Newton’s first law is referred to as the law of inertia. Inertia is the
tendency of an object to maintain its constant velocity. Inertia α
mass

Second Law
Second Law: The acceleration is directly proportional to the net force
and inversely proportional to the mass.

F = ma

where:

F = force N
m = mass (kg)
a = acceleration (m/s2 )
Third Law

Third Law: For every action there is an equal and an opposite reaction

Module 2 Dynamics 1
 When object A exerts a force on object B, object B will exert the
same force on object A.

FAB = −FB A

Weight Force

The weight force is a force cause by gravity that acts on all objects
downwards.

W = mg

where:

W = weight N
m = mass (kg)
g = gravity (m/s2 )

Normal Force

The normal force is a force that counteracts any force that pushes an
object on a surface and always acts perpendicular to the contact surface.

FN = mg cosΘ

where:

FN = normal force N

m = mass (kg)
g = gravity (m/s2 )
Θ = angle of surface (°)

Module 2 Dynamics 2
 Frictional Force

Friction (Ff ) is the force that opposes motion. There are two different
types of friction: static friction (Fs ) and kinetic friction (Fk ). Static friction
is the minimum frictional force that must be overcome to move an object.
Kinetic friction is the frictional force to keep the object moving at a
constant velocity.

Ff = μFN

where:

Ff = frictional force N

μ = coefficient of friction
FN = normal force N

Tension

Module 2 Dynamics 3
 Tension (T ) is force transmitted along the axis of a rope and is directed
away from an object.

Energy, Work & Power

Energy

Energy is the capacity to cause change. Energy is a scalar quantity and is

measured in Joules J. There are two different types of energy: Kinetic
energy KE and Potential energy PE.

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy KE or K is energy associated with motion. Anything moving

has kinetic energy.

1
KE = mv 2
2
where:

KE = kinetic energy J

m = mass (kg)
v = velocity (m/s)

Module 2 Dynamics 4
 Potential Energy

Potential energy PE is the energy held by objects relative to other objects.
Gravitational potential energy U is one of the most common.

U = mgh

where:

U = gravitational potential energy J

m = mass (kg)
g = gravity (m/s2 )
h = height (m)

Module 2 Dynamics 5
 Work

Work W is the change in energy, W = ΔE. Work is a scalar quantity and is
measured in Joules J.

W = Fnet s cosΘ

where:

W = Work J
Fnet = net force N
s = displacement (m)
Θ = angle between Fnet and s

Work - Energy Theorem

Work – Energy Theorem is an important theorem, which states that the

work done on an object is equal to its change in kinetic energy. W = ΔKE

1 1
W = mv2 − mu2
2 2
where:

W = work J
m = mass (kg)
v = final velocity (m/s)
u = initial velocity (m/s)
Since the work done is the change in energy. It is possible to calculate the
work done by gravity from the gravitational potential energy formula. W =

Module 2 Dynamics 6
 ΔU

W = mgΔh

where:

W = work J
m = mass (kg)
g = gravity (m/s2 )
Δh = change in height (m)
Mechanical Energy

Mechanical energy (Em ) is the energy that an object possesses.

Mechanical energy is the sum of its kinetic energy and the potential
energies available to it. For falling objects, the mechanical energy is Em =
KE + U

1
Em = mv2 + mgh
2
where:

Em = mechanical energy J

m = mass (kg)
v = velocity (m/s)
g = gravity (m/s2 )
h = height (m)
In a system, the total mechanical energy is conservative, ΔEm = 0. This is
called the law of conservation of mechanical energy. Em(initial) =
Em(f inal)

KEinitial + Uinitial = KEf inal + Uf inal

Power

Power P is the rate at which work is done. Power is a scalar quantity and
is measured in watts W.

W
Module 2 Dynamics 7
 W
P= or P = Fnet v
t
where:

P = power W
W = work J
t = time (s)
Fnet = net force N
v = velocity (m/s)

Momentum & Impulse

Momentum

Momentum (p) is the quantity of motion in a moving body. Momentum is a

vector quantity and is measured in kilograms meter per second (kgm/s).

p = mv

where:

p = momentum (kgm/s)
m = mass (kg)
v = velocity (m/s)
Law Of Momentum
Momentum is conserved in any interaction between objects in a closed
system. This is called the law of conservation of momentum. Σpbef ore =
Σpaf ter .

m1 u1 + m2 u2 = m1 v1 + m2 v2

where:

m1 = mass of object 1 (kg)

u1 = initial velocity of object 1 (m/s)
v1 = final velocity of object 1 (m/s)
m2 = mass of object 2 (kg)

Module 2 Dynamics 8
 v1 = initial velocity of object 2 (m/s)
v1 = final velocity of object 2 (m/s)

Elastic Collision
In elastic collisions, the total kinetic energy before is equal to the total
kinetic energy after. This is known as the law of conservation of kinetic
energy. ΣKEbef ore = ΣKEaf ter .

1 1 1 1
m1 u21 + m2 u22 = m1 v12 + m2 v22
2 2 2 2
where:

m1 = mass of object 1 (kg)

u1 = initial velocity of object 1 (m/s)
v1 = final velocity of object 1 (m/s)
m2 = mass of object 2 (kg)
u2 = initial velocity of object 2 (m/s)
v2 = final velocity of object 2 (m/s)

Inelastic Collision
In inelastic collisions, the kinetic energy before is not equal to the kinetic
energy after because it is converted into other energies like heat and
sound.

When two object stick together after a collision this is known as a perfect
inelastic collision.

m1 u1 + m2 u2 = m1+2 v

where:

m1 = mass of object 1 (kg)

u1 = initial velocity of object 1 (m/s)
m2 = mass of object 2 (kg)

Module 2 Dynamics 9
 u2 = initial velocity of object 2 (m/s)
m1+2 = mass of object 1 and 2 (kg)
v = final velocity of object 1 and 2 (m/s)
It is also possible for one object to break apart into two separate objects.
This is called an explosive collision.

m1 u = m2 v2 + m3 v3

where:

m1 = mass of object 1 (kg)

u = initial velocity of object 1 (m/s)
m2 = mass of fragment 1 (kg)
v2 = final velocity of fragment 1 (m/s)
m3 = mass of fragment 2 (kg)
v3 = final velocity of fragment 2 (m/s)
Impulse

Impulse J is the change in momentum of a moving object, J = Δp.

Impulse is a vector quantity and is measured in newton second N s).

J = mv − mu or J = Fnet Δt

where:

J = impulse (N/s)
m = mass (kg)
v = final velocity (m/s)
u = initial velocity (m/s)
Fnet = net force N
Δt = change in time (s)

Force - Time Graph

Module 2 Dynamics 10
Module 2 Dynamics 11