Leaving Certificate

Applied Maths
Higher Level
Kieran Mills

Newtons Laws
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THE DUBLIN
ACADEMY OF Newton's Laws Notes
EDUCATION

Part 5: Newton’s Laws

Section 1 The four forces .......................................................................2
Exercise 1 ..................................................................................9

Section 2 Connected Particles ...............................................................11

Exercise 2 ..................................................................................21

Section 3 Pulleys ......................................................................................23

Exercise 3 ..................................................................................27

Leaving Cert Questions ..............................................................................29

New Applied Maths Course

Part 1: Dimensional Analysis
Part 2: Uniform Accelerated motion
Part 3: Vectors
Part 4: Projectiles
Part 5: Newton’s Laws
Part 6: Collisions
Part 7: Differentiation
Part 8: Integration
Part 9: Work and Energy
Part 10: Circular motion
Part 11: Difference and Differential Equations
Part 12: Networks and Graph Theory

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Section 1: Four Forces

Newton’s First Law: A body will remain at rest or continue to move at a steady speed in a straight
line unless acted on by a force.

Newton’s Second Law: The rate of change in momentum of a body is directly proportional to the
size of the force acting on it and is in the same direction as the force.

FNet = ma F: Force (N)

m: Mass (kg)
a: Acceleration (m s–2)
In words: Net force in any direction = Mass × Acceleration in the same direction.

Newton’s Third Law: When bodies interact

they exert equal but opposite forces on each
other. To every action there is an equal but F1 F2
opposite to reaction.
F1 = –F2

Weight: All bodies fall onto another body at the same rate called the m
acceleration due to gravity g. This means there is a force acting on a
falling accelerating body. This force (W) is called the weight of the
body [Weight = Force of gravity].
M
W: Weight (N)
W ! mg ! m " 9 # 8 (on earth)
m: Mass (kg)
g: Acceleration due to gravity (m s–2)

Force: In Physics, a force is a push or a pull. Examples of force are tension (strings), friction,
weight (gravity), magnetic, electric, normal reaction.

Problem solving technique

1. Draw in all the forces of each particle.
2. Put in accelerations.
3. Apply FNet = ma in right/left and up/down direction for each particle.
4. Solve simultaneously.

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Forces in Mechanics
There are four main forces that will be studied in mechanics:
1. Weight (W): Every body is pulled towards the centre of the earth by gravity.
This force is its weight, W.
W = mg mg

R
2. Normal reaction (R): This is the electrical force
between two bodies in contact at right angles (normal)
to the surfaces at the point of contact.
R

3. Friction (P): This is the electrical force between two

bodies which opposes one sliding over the other. P

P = µR
µ is the coefficient of friction.
µ = 0: Smooth surface between the bodies
µ > 0: Rough surface between the bodies

4. Tension (T): This is the electrical force in a string

T
which is exerted on a body attached to the string.

R
So for a body sliding on a rough surface under the T
action of a string the following forces act on it.

P
W

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Example 1
A car of mass 240 kg pulls a trailer of mass 60 kg along a straight horizontal road. If the driving
force of the car is 120 N and the resistance to the car is 30 N and the trailer is 15 N, find the
common acceleration of the bodies. The resistant forces are horizontal. Find the tension in the
tow rope. The tow rope is horizontal.
Solution

Trailer Car

Tow rope

Example 2
A 119 N force in a string pulls up two masses connected by 119 N
a string as shown. Find the acceleration of each mass and the
tension in the connecting string.
Solution 2 kg

String
5 kg

Cont...

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Example 3: A man of mass m stands on the floor of an elevator of mass M.

The tension T in the cable causes the elevator to acclerate up at acceleration a. R is the reaction
force between the man and the elevator. Find
(a) the equation of motion of the whole system,
(b) equation of motion of the elevator,
(c) equation of motion of the man.
Solution

m a

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Example 4
Draw in all the forces on the 4 kg mass. Write down the equation of motion
(a) parallel to and down the plane,
(b) perpendicular to the plane.
Find the normal reaction and the acceleration down the plane if all surfaces are perfectly smooth.
Solution

4 kg

30o

Example 5
A rope pulls a 6 kg mass to the right. Draw in the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the
6 kg mass if the tension in the rope is 8 N. Write down
(a) the equation of motion in the vertical direction and find the normal reaction,
(b) the equation of motion across the table and find its acceleration.
Solution

T
6 kg 60
o

Cont...

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Example 6
A rope with a tension of 45 N pulls a body along a rough surface as shown. If the body
accelerates at 2 m s–2, find the coefficient of friction for the body.
Solution
−2
a=2ms 45 N

8 kg 45
o

Rough

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Example 7
A cable with tension 8 N is pulling on a 4 kg body that is accelerating down a rough plane.
Find
(a) weight of the body,
(b) the normal reaction of the plane to the body,
(c) the acceleration of the body down the plane.
The coefficient of friction between the body and the plane is 14 .
Solution

T=8N
ugh
4 kg Ro

µ ! 14

o
30

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Exercise 1. The Four Forces

1. A car of mass 200 kg pulls a trailer of mass 4. A man of mass m stands on the floor of a lift
50 kg along a straight horizontal road. If the of mass M.
driving force of the car is 100 N and the The tension T in the cable causes the lift to
resistance to the car is 40 N and the trailer is acclerate up at acceleration a. R is the
10 N, find the common acceleration of the reaction force between the man and the lift.
bodies. The resistant forces are horizontal. Find
Find the tension in the tow rope. The tow (i) the equation of motion of the whole
rope is horizontal. system,
Car (ii) equation of motion of the lift,
Trailer
(iii) equation of motion of the man.
Tow rope If a = 2 m s–2 and m = 70 kg find R.
If M = 400 kg find T.
T
2. A 100 N force in a string pulls up two
M
masses connected by a string as shown. Find
the acceleration of each mass and the a
tension in the connecting string.
m
100 N

5. A 2 kg body is initially at rest on a rough

3 kg horizontal surface coefficient of friction 0∙2.
A constant horizontal force is applied to the
String body for 6 s. Given that the body has a
velocity of 12 m s–1 when the force is
removed find
5 kg
(i) the acceleration of the body when
experiencing the applied force,
3. A car of mass 1000 kg tows a trailer of mass (ii) the size of the applied force,
500 kg against resistances totalling 750 N. (iii) the deceleration of the body when the
The separate resistances on the car and the force is removed,
trailer are in the ratio of their masses. If the (iv) the total distance travelled by the body.
car accelerates at 1∙5 m s–2 along a level
road find
(i) the driving force of the engine, 6. Find the acceleration of the 5 kg body. If the
(ii) the resistant forces, 2 kg body and 5 kg body are both rough find
(iii) the tension in the tow bar. the smallest value of the coefficient of
friction between these bodies if the 2 kg
mass is not to slide on the 5 kg mass at this
acceleration.

µ ! 12 2 kg
50 N
5 kg
Rough

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7. Find the acceleration of the 5 kg body up the 9. Find the acceleration of the body up the
plane. plane.
T = 80 N T = 60 N
o
30
5 kg
h 5 kg
ug µ ! 14
Ro ugh µ ! 52
30o Ro
o
60

8. If tan α = 34 find µ, the coefficient of

10. A body of mass of 4 kg is released from rest
friction, if the particle moves up the plane at
an acceleration of 1∙16 m s–2. on a rough plane inclined at sin -1 ( 54 ) to the
horizontal. If after 2 s the body has acquired
T=9N a velocity of 12∙74 m s–1 down the surface
1 kg find the coefficient of friction and the time
u gh to reach the bottom of the plane if the plane
Ro is 50∙96 m long.
α

Answers
Exercise 1
1. 0∙2 m s–2, 20 N

2. 2∙7 m s–2, 62∙5 N

3. (i) 3000 N, (ii) 250 N, 500 N, (iii) 1000 N

4. (i) T – (M + m)g = (M + m)a, (ii) T – R – Mg = Ma, (iii) R – mg = ma, 826 N, 5546 N

5. (i) 2 m s–2, (ii) 7∙92 N, (iii) 1∙96 m s–2, (iv) 72∙73 m

6. 2∙24 m s–2, 0∙23

7. 8∙83 m s–2

8. µ = 14

9. 1∙56 m s–2

10. 14 , 4 s

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Section 2: Connected Particles

Example 8
Draw in all the forces on each particle. Write down Newton’s second law for each particle.
Find the common acceleration of each particle and find the tension in the string. The pulley is
smooth.
Solution

3 kg

Smooth

5 kg

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Example 9
Find the common acceleration and the tension in the string. The pulley is smooth.
Solution

4 kg

Rough
! ! 14
9 kg

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Example 10
Find the common acceleration and the tension in each string. The pulleys are smooth.
Solution

2 kg

Smooth

1 kg 4 kg

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Example 11
Find the common acceleration and the tension in each string. The pulleys are smooth.
Solution

2 kg

Rough
! ! 14
3 kg 7 kg

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Example 12
Find the common acceleration and the tension in the string. The pulley is smooth. Find the net
force on the pulley.
Solution

g
4k 7 kg

o th
Smo
o
30

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Example 13
Find the common acceleration and the tension in the string. The pulley is smooth. Find the net
force on the pulley.
Solution

ugh
g Ro
4k 6 kg

o
! ! 12
60

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Example 14
If sin θ = 54 , find the common acceleration of the particles. What is the furthest distance the
5 kg moves up the plane from its starting position? The pulleys are smooth.
Solution

g
5k 8 kg

o th 3m
Smo
θ

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Example 15
Find the common acceleration of the particles. If the string is cut after 2∙5 s calculate the
furthest distance that the 4 kg mass moves up the plane. The pulleys are smooth.
Solution

g
4k 10 kg

1
h
ug
!!
2
Ro
o
45

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Example 16
Find the acceleration of each particle and the tension in the string. Find the net force on the
pulley. The pulley is smooth.
Solution

g 4k
8k g

Sm
th oo
oo th
Sm
o o
45 45

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Example 17
The block P has a light pulley fixed to it. The two blocks P and Q, of mass 40 kg and 30 kg
respectively, are connected by a taut light inextensible string passing over a light smooth fixed
pulley, A, as shown in the diagram.
P is on a rough plane which is inclined at 30° to the horizontal. The coefficient of friction
1
between P and the inclined plane is 4 .
Q is hanging freely. The system is released from rest.
Find
(i) the acceleration of P and the acceleration of Q
(ii) the speed of P when it has moved 30 cm.
Solution
A

P Q

o
30

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Exercise 2. Connected Particles

1. Draw in all the forces on each particle. 5. Find the common acceleration and the
Write down Newton’s second law for each tension in the string. The pulley is smooth.
particle. Find the common acceleration of Find the net force on the pulley.
each particle and find the tension in the
string. The pulley is smooth

5 kg g
2k th
4 kg
oo
Smooth Sm
8 kg 30
o

2. Find the common acceleration and the 6. Find the acceleration of each particle and
tension in the string. The pulley is smooth. the tension in the string. Find the net force
on the pulley. The pulley is smooth.
5 kg

Rough
µ ! 15 g 10 kg
8 kg 4 k gh
u
Ro
µ ! 13
3. Find the common acceleration and the 60
o

tension in each string. The pulleys are

smooth.
7. Find the acceleration of each particle, the
1 kg tension in the string. Find the net force on
the pulley. The pulley is smooth.
Smooth
2 kg 3 kg

k g u gh
10 Ro 4 kg
4. Find the common acceleration and the
tension in each string. The pulleys are 1
µ!
smooth. 45
o 5 2

2 kg

Rough
µ ! 14
3 kg 5 kg

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8. Find the acceleration of each particle and

the tension in the string. Find the net force Answers
on the pulley. The pulley is smooth. Exercise 2

8 g m s "2 ,
1. T ! 5a, 8 g " T ! 8a, a ! 13

k g 5k T = 13
40 g N
10 o th Sm g
mo
oo
th 2. 7
13 g m s -2 , 13
48 g N
S sin θ ! 54
θ θ 3. 1
6 g m s -2 , 52 g N, 73 g N

4. 3 g m s -2 , 17 69
4 g N, 20 g N
9. Find the acceleration of each particle and 20
the tension in the string. Find the net force
on the pulley. The pulley is smooth. 5. 1
2 g m s -2 , 2 g N, 2 3 g N at 30o to the
vertical.

6. 4∙1 m s–2, 57 N, 110∙1 N at 15o to the

k g 5k vertical.
10 h Ro g
g ug
ou h
R µ ! 15 5 g ( 2 ! 1) 2 g (5 2 " 9)
7. m s !2 , N,
o o 14 7
45 45
83 N at 22∙5o to the vertical.

8. 4
15 g m s -2 , 16 128
3 g N, 15 g N vertically.
10. If sin θ = 53 find the acceleration of each
particle and the tension in the string. Find
the net force on the pulley. If the system 2g 10 2 g 20 g
9. m s -2 , N, N
starts from rest find the speed with which 15 3 3
the 10 kg mass hits the ground and say if vertically.
the 2 kg mass will reach the top of the
plane. " 5%
7g 12 g
10. , 3g , at sin !1 $$ '' to the
10 5 # 5 &
5m
vertical, 5∙24 m s–1. No, it stops 1∙25 m
from the top.
g
2 k gh
u
Ro 10 kg
µ ! 14
2m
θ

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Section 3: Pulleys

Example 18
The pulley is smooth. Find the acceleration of each particle and the tension in the string.
Solution

5 kg

2 kg

Example 19
The pulley is smooth. Find the acceleration of each particle and the tension in the string. If the
system is released from rest find the velocity of each (i) after 3 s, (ii) after travelling 1 m.
Solution

3 kg

1 kg

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Example 20
The pulley is smooth. The 1 kg mass is on the ground and the system is released from rest.
Find the maximum height reached by the 1 kg mass.
Solution

2 kg

1m

1 kg
Ground

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Example 21
The pulley is smooth. The system is released from rest with the 1∙5 kg mass 3 m above the
ground. Find the acceleration of each particle as the 1∙5 kg mass is moving towards the ground.
Find the time for which the 1∙5 kg particle is on the ground.
Solution

0.5 kg 1.5 kg

3m

Ground

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Example 22
All pulleys are smooth. Calculate the acceleration of each particle and the tension in the string.
Solution

8 kg

8 kg

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Exercise 3. Pulleys
1. The pulley is smooth. Find the acceleration 5. The pulley is smooth. Find the acceleration
of each particle and tension in the string. of each particle and the tension in the string.
If the particles start from rest find
(i) the time for the 2 kg mass to reach the
ground,
(ii) the speed of the 2 kg mass on the
ground,
4 kg
(iii) the speed of the 1 kg mass when the
2 kg 2 kg mass is on the ground,
2. The pulley is smooth. Find the acceleration (iv) the maximum height of the 1 kg mass
of each particle and tension in the string. above the ground,
(v) the time the 1 kg mass takes to get to its
maximum height,
(vi) the time for which the 2 kg particle is
on the ground.

3m
2m
3. The pulley is smooth. Find the acceleration
of each particle and tension in the string. If
the system is released from rest find the 1 kg
velocity of each (i) after 2 s, (ii) after 2 kg
travelling 2 m. 1.5 m
1m

Ground

6. The pulley is smooth. The 1 kg mass is on

3 kg the ground and the system is released from
rest. Find the maximum height reached by
2 kg the 1 kg mass and the time to get there.
4. The pulley is smooth. Find the acceleration
of each particle and tension in the string.

2 kg

12 kg h
3 kg
1 kg
Ground

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7. The pulley is smooth. The system is

released from rest with the 1∙5 kg mass 2 m Answers
above the ground. Find the acceleration of Exercise 3
1 -2 8
each particle and the tension in the string 1. 3 g m s , 3 g N
as the 1∙5 kg mass is moving towards the
-2 12
ground. Find the time for which the 1∙5 kg 2. 5 g m s , 5 mg N
1
particle is on the ground.
-2
3. 15 g m s , 12
5 g N
-1 g
(i) 52 g m s , (ii) 2 m s -1
5
3 -2 24
4. 5 g m s , 5 g N

-2 4
0.5 kg 1.5 kg 1
5. 3 g m s , 3 g N
6 2g
2m (i) s, (ii) m s -1 ,
g 3
Ground
2g
(iii) m s -1 , (iv) 17
6 m,
3
8. The pulley is smooth. Show that the
8! x &
acceleration of each particle is #% ( g. (v) 4
2
s, (vi) 2
2
s
$8" x ' 3g 3g
Find the tension in the string if x < 8.
4h 2h
6. m, 4 s
3 3g
2 10
7. 1
2 g m s -2 , 34 g N, s
7
" 16 gx %
8. $ 'N
8 kg x kg # 8! x &

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Leaving Cert Questions

2020
4. (a) A block A of mass 10m on a smooth plane inclined at
an angle α with the horizontal, where tan α = 34 , is
connected by a light inextensible string which passes
over a smooth pulley to a second block B of mass 10m. A
B is 24·5 cm above an inelastic horizontal floor, as B
shown in the diagram.
The system is released from rest. 24.5 m
α
Find
(i) the acceleration of B
(ii) the time that B remains in contact with the floor.

2019
1. (a) A particle P, of mass 3 kg, is projected along a rough inclined plane from the point A
with speed 4∙2 m s–1. The particle comes to instantaneous rest at B.
The plane is inclined at an angle α to the horizontal where tan α = 40
9 .
The coefficient of friction between the particle and the
3 .
plane is 20 B
4.2 m s−1
15 g
(i) Show that the deceleration of P is .
(ii) Find |AB|. 41 A
α
After reaching B the particle slides back down the plane.
(iii) Find the speed of P as it passes through A on its way back down the plane.

4. (a) Two particles of masses 0∙4 kg and 0∙3 kg are attached to the ends
of a light inextensible string which passes over a light smooth fixed
pulley. They are held at the same level, as shown in the diagram.
The system is released from rest.
Find
(i) the tension in the string

(ii) the speed of the 0∙4 kg mass when it has descended 0∙7 m.

0.4 0.3

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2018
1. (a) A parcel rests on the horizontal floor of a van.
The van is travelling on a level road at 14 m s–1.
It is brought to rest by a uniform application of the brakes.
The coefficient of friction between the parcel and the floor is 52 .
Show that the parcel is on the point of sliding forward on the floor of the van if the
stopping distance is 25 m.

4. (a) A block A of mass m is connected by a light

inextensible string to a second block B of
mass 3 kg. A
They slide down a rough inclined plane which m
makes an angle α with the horizontal where
tan α = 34 . B
The string remains taut in the subsequent motion. 3
The coefficient of friction between A and the
plane is 34 . α
The coefficient of friction between B and the
plane is 13 .
The system is released from rest.
Find
(i) the acceleration of B, in terms of m
(ii) the value of m if the tension in the string is 3·92 N.

2017
4. (a) Two scale pans A and B, each of mass m kg, are attached to the ends
of a light inextensible string which passes over a light smooth fixed
pulley. They are held at the same level, as shown in the diagram.
A mass of 3m kg is now placed on A.
The system is released from rest.
Find
(i) the tension in the string in terms of m
(ii) how far B has risen when it reaches a speed of 0∙4 m s–1
(iii) the reaction on the 3m kg mass in terms of m.
A B

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2016
4. (a) The block P has a light pulley fixed to it. The two
A
blocks P and Q, of mass 40 kg and 30 kg respectively,
are connected by a taut light inextensible string
passing over a light smooth fixed pulley, A, as shown
in the diagram.
P Q
P is on a rough plane which is inclined at 30° to
the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between 30
o

1
P and the inclined plane is 4 .

Q is hanging freely. The system is released from rest.

Find
(i) the acceleration of P and the acceleration of Q

(ii) the speed of P when it has moved 30 cm.

2015
4. (a) Two particles P and Q, of mass 4 kg
and 7 kg respectively, are lying 0∙5 m P Q
apart on a smooth horizontal table.
They are connected by a string 3∙5 m long.
Q is 6 m from the edge of the table and is
connected to a particle R, which is of mass
3 kg and is hanging freely, by a taut light R
inextensible string passing over a light
smooth pulley.

The system is released from rest.

Find
(i) the initial acceleration of Q and R
(ii) the speed of Q when it has moved 3 m
(iii) the speed with which P begins to move.

2014
1. (a) At a particular instant a car of mass 1200 kg is towing a trailer of mass 450 kg on a level
road at a speed of 25 m s–1 when the engine exerts a constant power of 50 kW. Friction
and air resistance amount to 930 N on the car and 200 N on the trailer.

(i) Find the acceleration of the car at this instant.

(ii) Calculate the maximum speed at which the car (without the trailer) could travel up
an incline of sin -1 (10
1 ) against the same resistance with the engine working at the
same rate.

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4. (a) A block A of mass 4 kg, can slide on a rough

horizontal table. It is connected inelastically
to a pulley system from which B, a mass of 8 kg,
hangs freely under gravity by a light inelastic A
string, as shown in the diagram.
P

A horizontal force P of 320 N is applied to

the mass A, which then moves in the direction of P.

The coefficient of friction between A and the B

table is 74 .

Find (i) the acceleration of A

(ii) the tension in the string connected to B.

2013
4. (a) Two particles of masses 6 kg and 7 kg are connected
by a light inextensible string passing over a smooth
light fixed pulley which is fixed to the ceiling of a lift.

The particles are released from rest.

Find the tension in the string

(i) when the lift remains at rest 6 7

(ii) when the lift is rising vertically with constant

acceleration 18 g.

2012
4. (a) Two particles A and B each of mass m are
connected by a light inextensible string
passing over a light, smooth, fixed pulley.
Particle A rests on a rough plane inclined
at α to the horizontal, where tan α = 12
5.
Particle B hangs vertically 1 m above the ground. B
The coefficient of friction between A
1m
A and the inclined plane is 12 . α
The system is released from rest.
(i) Find the speed with which B strikes the ground.

(ii) How far will A travel after B strikes the ground?

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THE DUBLIN
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2011
4. (a) A block of mass 2 2 kg rests on a rough plane
inclined at 45º to the horizontal. It is connected
by a light inextensible string which passes over a
2 2
smooth, light, fixed pulley to a particle of 4
mass 4 kg which hangs freely under gravity.
The coefficient of friction between the block
and the plane is 14 .
o
45
Find the acceleration of the 4 kg mass.

2010
4. (a) Two particles of masses 0∙24 kg and 0∙25 kg are
connected by a light inextensible string passing
over a small, smooth, fixed pulley.
The system is released from rest.
Find
(i) the tension in the string

(ii) the speed of the two masses when the

0∙25 kg mass has descended 1∙6 m. 0.24 0.25

2009
4. (a) A light inextensible string passes over a small
fixed smooth pulley.
A particle A of mass 10 kg is attached to one
end of the string and a particle B of mass 5 kg
is attached to the other end.
The system is released from rest when B touches
the ground and A is 1 m above the ground. A
Find
(i) the speed of A as it hits the ground
1m
(ii) the height that B rises above the horizontal ground. B

2007
4. (a) A particle slides down a rough plane inclined at 45o to the horizontal. The coefficient of
friction between the particle and the plane is 34 .
Find the time of descending a distance 4 metres from rest.

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THE DUBLIN
ACADEMY OF Newton's Laws Notes
EDUCATION

2006
4. (a) Two particles of mass 0∙4 kg and 0∙5 kg are
attached to the ends of a light inextensible
string which passes over a fixed smooth
light pulley.
The system is released from rest.
(i) Find the acceleration of the system, in
terms of g.
0.4 kg 0.5 kg

(ii) After falling 1 m the 0∙5 kg mass strikes a

horizontal surface and is brought to rest. The
string again becomes taut after t seconds.
Find the value of t correct to two places of decimals.

2005
1. (b) A mass of 8 kg falls freely from rest. After 5 s the mass penetrates sand.
The sand offers a constant resistance and brings the mass to rest in 0∙01 s.
Find
(i) the constant resistance of the sand

(ii) the distance the mass penetrates into the sand.

4. (a) A particle of mass 4 kg rests on a rough 4 kg

horizontal table. It is connected by a
light inextensible string which passes over
a smooth, light, fixed pulley at the edge of
the table to a particle of mass 8 kg which 8 kg
hangs freely under gravity.
The coefficient of friction between the 4 kg mass and the table is 14 .

The system starts from rest and the 8 kg mass moves vertically downwards.
Find
(i) the tension in the string

(ii) the force exerted by the string on the pulley.

(b) Two particles of masses 3 kg and 5 kg are connected by a light inextensible string, of
length 4 m, passing over a light smooth peg of negligible radius.
The 5 kg mass rests on a smooth horizontal table. The peg is 2∙5 m directly above the
5 kg mass.
The 3 kg mass is held next to the peg and is allowed to fall vertically a distance 1∙5 m
before the string becomes taut.

3 3g
(i) Show that when the string becomes taut the speed of each particle is m/s.
8
(ii) Show that the 3 kg mass will not reach the table.

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THE DUBLIN
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EDUCATION

2004
1. (b) A car of mass 1200 kg tows a caravan of mass 900 kg first along a horizontal road with
acceleration f and then up an incline α to the horizontal road at uniform speed.
The force exerted by the engine is 2700 N. Friction and air resistance amount to 150 N
on the car and 240 N on the caravan.
Calculate

(i) the acceleration, f, of the car along the horizontal road

(ii) the value of α, to the nearest degree.

4. (a) Two particles, of masses 2m and m, are attached to the

ends of a light inextensible string which passes over a
fixed smooth light pulley.
The system is released from rest with both particles at
the same horizontal level.

(i) Find the acceleration of the system, in terms of g. 2m m

(ii) The string breaks when the speed of each particle is v.

Find, in terms of v, the vertical distance between the particles when the string breaks.

2003
4. (a) A particle of mass 3 kg rests on
a smooth horizontal table and is
3 kg
attached by two light inelastic
strings to particles of masses
6 kg and 1 kg which hang over 1 kg 6 kg
smooth light pulleys at opposite
edges of the table.
The system is released from rest.
Find the acceleration of the system, in terms of g.

(b) A block of mass 4 kg rests on a rough plane

inclined at 60o to the horizontal. It is
connected by a light inextensible string
2m

which passes over a smooth, light, fixed

pulley to a particle of mass 8 kg which
g

hangs freely under gravity.

4k

The coefficient of friction between the block 8 kg

and the plane is 14 . The system starts from rest
with the block at a distance of 2 m from the pulley. 60o
The 8 kg mass moves vertically downwards.

(i) Show that the tension in the string is 52 N, correct to the nearest whole number.
(ii) How far has the block moved up the plane after 1 second?
(iii) After 1 second the string is cut. Determine whether or not the block will reach the
pulley.

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THE DUBLIN
ACADEMY OF Newton's Laws Notes
EDUCATION

2000
4. (a) A mass of 5 kg on a rough horizontal table is
5 kg
connected by a light inextensible string
passing over a smooth light pulley, at the
edge of the table, to a 3 kg mass hanging
freely. The coefficient of friction between
3 kg
the 5 kg mass and the table is 15 .
The system is released from rest.
Find the distance fallen by the 3 kg mass in the first 2 seconds after the system is
released from rest.

1999
-1 1
1 (a) A car of mass 1500 kg travels up a slope of gradient sin ( 50 ) against a constant
resistance of 0∙2 N per kilogram. Find

(i) the constant force required to produce an acceleration of 0∙1 m s-2,

(ii) the power which is developed when the speed is 20 m s-1.

4. (a) Two scale-pans each of mass 0∙5 kg are connected by a light

inelastic string which passes over a smooth light fixed pulley.
A mass of 0∙2 kg is placed on one pan and a mass of 0∙4 kg is
placed on the other pan. The system is released from rest.
Calculate

(i) the acceleration of the system,

(ii) the forces between the masses and the pans.

1998
4. (a) Blocks A and B, of mass 15 kg and 25 kg,
respectively, are connected by a light, inextensible
string as shown in the diagram. The coefficients of
A
friction are 0∙4 for block A and 0∙2 for block B. The
blocks move down the plane which is inclined at 30o
to the horizontal. Find
B

(i) the acceleration of block B

30o
(ii) the tension in the string.

© The Academy Page 36 Kieran Mills & Tony Kelly

THE DUBLIN
ACADEMY OF Newton's Laws Notes
EDUCATION

(b) The two blocks shown in the diagram are at rest on a

horizontal surface when a force P is applied to block B.
A
Blocks A and B have masses 20 kg and 35 kg, repectively.
The coefficient of friction between the two blocks is 0∙35
B
and the coefficient of friction between the horizontal P
surface and block B is 0∙3.

Determine the maximum force, P, before A slips on B.

1997
4. (a) A particle A, of mass m kg, rests on a smooth horizontal table. It is connected by a light
inextensible string which passes over a light, smooth, fixed pulley to a second particle B,
of mass 2 kg, which hangs freely under gravity. The system starts from rest with A at a
distance of 1 metre from the pulley.

(i) Calculate the acceleration of A.

(ii) If A reaches the pulley in 75 seconds, find m.

Answers
Leaving Cert. Questions
-2
2020. 4 (a) (i) 15 g m s , (ii) 13 s

2019. 1 (a) (ii) 2∙46 m, (iii) 1∙88 m s-2

4 (a) (i) 12
35 g N, (ii) 1∙4 m s
-1

" g % (2
2018. 4 (a) (i) $ ' m s , (ii) 2 kg
# m!3 &

2017. 4 (a) (i) T = 85 mg , (ii) h = 0∙0136 m (iii) R = 65 mg

2016. 4 (a) (i) 1∙92 m s-2, 3∙84 m s-2, (ii) 1∙07 m s-1

3 g m s−2 , (ii)
2015. 4 (a) (i) 10 9
5 g m s−1 , (iii) 3 m s-1

2014. 1 (a) (i) 0∙53 m s-2, (ii) 23∙74 m s-1

4 (a) (i) 3∙9 m s-2, (ii) 141 N

84 g ! 63 " 3 N,
2013. 4 (a) (i) 13 26 g ! 71 " 24 N
(ii) 189

© The Academy Page 37 Kieran Mills & Tony Kelly

THE DUBLIN
ACADEMY OF Newton's Laws Notes
EDUCATION

2g
2012. 4 (a) (i) v ! m s "1 , (ii) 11
1 m
13
2011. 4 (a) 2∙15 m s-2

2010. 4 (a) (i) 2∙4 N, (ii) 0∙8 m s-1

2g
2009. 4 (a) (i) m s -1 , (ii) 43 m
3
2007. 4 (a) 2∙15 s

-2
2006. 4 (a) (i) 19 g m s , (ii) 0∙3 s

2005. 1 (b) (i) 39 278∙4 N, (ii) 0∙245 m

4 (a) (i) 10
3 g N,
(ii) 103 2 g N

2004. 1 (b) (i) 1∙1 m s–2 (ii) 6o

3v 2
4 (a) (i) 13 g m s -2 , (ii) m
g
-2
2003. 4 (a) 12 g m s (b) (ii) 1∙65 m, (iii) It reaches the top.

2000. 4 (a) 12 g m

1999. 1 (a) (i) 744 N, (ii) 14 880 W

-2
4 (a) (i) 18 g m s , (ii) 0∙225g N, 0∙35g N

1998. 4 (a) (i) 2∙566 m s–2 (ii) 15∙9 N (b) 35∙75g N

2g
1997. 4 (a) (i) , (ii) 3 kg
m+2

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