TOPIC 3

DYNAMIC OF LINEAR MOTION

3.3 Basic of Forces and Free Body Diagram

3.4 Newton’s Laws of Motion
3.3 Basic of Forces and Free Body Diagram

A force is something that is capable of changing an object’s state of motion.

Push Force
Pull Force

A force is a push or pull upon an object resulting from the object’s interaction
with other object.
There are four types of fundamental forces in nature:
(1) Gravitational Forces (SP015)
• The forces involve attraction between massive body.
• is a long-range forces.
• the weakest forces in nature.

Figure 1 Figure 2
(2) Electromagnetic forces (DP024)
• The attractive and repulsive forces between electric charges.
• is a long-range forces.
(3) Strong nuclear forces (DP024)
• The attractive forces bonding neutron and proton in atomic
nucleus.
• is a short-range forces and the strongest forces in nature.

Figure 3 Figure 4
(4) Weak nuclear forces (DP024)
• cause the unstable condition for atomic nucleus and is responsible for
the radioactive decay.
• is a short-range forces and 12 times weak compare with electromagnetic
forces.

Figure 5

Force is a vector quantity.

The S.I. unit of force, F is kg m s−2 or Newton (N)
 4.0 FORCES Students should be able to:
a) Identify the forces acting on a body in
different situations:
i) Weight
ii) Tension
iii) Normal force
4.1 Basic of forces and
iv) Friction
free body diagram
v) External force (pull or push)
b) Determine weight, static friction and kinetic
friction.
c) Sketch free body diagram.
d) Determine the resultant force.
 4.1.1 Weight of a body, W
Weight, W Weight, W

Definition: the force acting on it due to gravitational pull.

where m is mass of the body (in kg)
Formula: W =mg g is acceleration due to gravity
(Earth: 9.81 m s–2)
Unit: Newton (N)
Always directed downward towards center of the Earth,
Direction: (- y axis)

• varies slightly with altitude because weight depends on

the strength of the gravity (g).
Remarks • The greater the distance from the earth, the less the
strength of gravity, the less the weight a body have.
Example 4.1
Sam has a mass of 67 kg. Find his weight on
(a) the surface of the Earth,
(b) the surface of the Moon.
[ gravitational field strength on Moon = 1/6 gravitational field strength on
Earth ]
Solution 4.1

(a) W = mg = 67(9.81) = 657.27 N

(b) gmoon = 1/6 gearth = 1/6(9.81) = 1.635 m s–2

Wmoon = mgmoon = 67(1.635) = 109.55 N
 4.1.2 Normal Reaction Force, N

Definition: The force that exists whenever 2 solid surface are in contact.

Direction: Always perpendicular to the surface that the object is in contact.

Unit: Newton (N)

Normal Reaction Force, N not always has to be the same as Weight,

Remarks:
W.

N N
 4.1.3 Tension, T
Definition: the force in a cord that pulls on a body.
It is always DIRECTED AWAY from a body and ALONG THE
Direction:
CORD.
Unit: Newton (N)
• The cord has negligible mass, unbreakable, un-stretchable, and
frictionless
Remarks: • The tension pulls at either end of the attachment with the same
magnitude.
• E.g. of cord: string, chain, wire, cable or etc. Tension (T)

Tension (T)
 4.1.4 Friction, f
the force that resists the motion of a body as it slides over the
Definition:
rough surfaces
acts PARALLEL to the surface in contact and in the OPPOSITE
Direction:
direction of the motion
Unit: Newton
• There are 2 types of friction force:
Remarks: (i) Static friction, fs
(ii) Kinetic friction, fk
The origin of friction
No surface is perfectly smooth. When viewed on the atomic level, even
the “smoothest” surface is actually rough and jagged. This type of
roughness contributes to friction. Force is required to overcome the
microscopic hills when surfaces slide across each other.
- Factors affecting friction force :

(1) Type of surfaces in contact

(2) How hard the surfaces are pressed together

-- friction force is directly proportional to the normal reaction
force.
 4.1.4.(a) Static Friction force, fs
force at the interface between two stationary surfaces which
Definition:
prevents the surfaces from sliding over each other
Formula: f s = μs N

•Frictional force that act on the object before it moves.

Remarks:
•Different values for all materials

May have different values up to some maximum. f s  s N

Just before an object starts to
slide (verge of motion), fs is fs max = s N
maximum.
fs
where
µs – coefficient of static friction
N – normal reaction force
 4.1.4.(b) Kinetic Friction force, fk
The friction force that exist between 2 objects when there is relative
Definition:
motion at the interface of the surfaces in contact
fk = μk N
where
Formula:
µk – coefficient of kinetic friction
N – normal reaction force
• fk acts in the direction opposite to the direction of motion.
• Values of µs and µk depends on the nature of the surfaces in
Remarks:
contact.
• In general, µs > µk → fs > fk

Direction of motion

fk
Difference between static friction and kinetic friction:

Static Friction, μs Kinetic Friction, μk

Static friction is the force of Kinetic friction is the force of

friction that exists between two friction between two moving solid
solid surfaces that are non- surfaces in contact with each
moving (at rest). other.

⚫ fs = μsN ⚫ fk = μkN
Example 4.2

Consider a block on a rough surface. An external force, F is applied on the

block.

If F < fs (max) , the block won’t move.

As F increases, fs will also increase until its reach its maximum value.
When F = fs (max) , the block will start to move which is called the point of
slipping.

Once an object starts to move, the force of friction changes from static
friction (fs) to kinetic friction ( fk ).
 The plot of the friction force vs. the applied force

Object begin to move

when F applied = fs(max)

As applied force Once object is in

increases, fs motion, fs is replaced
increases to by fk
keep object at
rest
 4.1.5 External Force, F
A force exerted on a system by an agency outside
Definition
the system
Unit Newton (N)
External force can either be push or pull force
Remarks exerted on the object. The direction for external
force is always directed outwards from the body
 Free Body Diagram

A diagram that shows all the forces acting on just one object.

✓ Object is represented by a POINT.

✓ The force arrow is drawn from the center of the point

outward in the direction in which the force is acting.

Direction of arrow reveals the direction in which the force acts.

Example

Draw the forces acting on the box below:

Force, F
 N

Ff Fext

W
In a free-body diagram:
✓ We can find the value of force, normal force, weight and
friction force
✓ Put in only the main forces.
Do not put in the resolve forces.
Example 4.3

F
Y
X Smooth surface

Figure above shows two blocks of wood X and Y, weight 30 g and 50 g

respectively. A horizontal force of F is applied on the block X, so that both
blocks accelerate together. Draw free body diagram for block X and Y.
Solution 4.3

For block X For block Y

N N

FXY F FYX

W W
Formative Assessment 4.1
Draw Free Body Diagram showing all the forces
Physical Situation
acting on each of the objects in the system.
A book is at rest on top of a table.

A block is being pushed to the right

across a frictionless table surface
by a force, F
 Draw Free Body Diagram showing all the forces acting
Physical Situation
on each of the objects in the system.
Rock in free fall

A man stand in an upward

moving elevator .

A block of mass m = 10 kg
hanging from a cord.
 Draw Free Body Diagram showing all the forces
Physical Situation
acting on each of the objects in the system.

A block of mass m hanging from

three wires.

Mass m rest on an inclined plane.

 Resultant Force

• Also known as net force

• Definition: the net force is the overall force acting on an
object when all the individual forces acting on the object
are added together.
• Objects usually have more than one force acting on them
at any one time.
• If both the forces are acting in a straight line:
We can add or subtract the forces to show the overall
effect on the object called the resultant force.
Resultant Force for 1 axis only
If both forces are working in the same direction we add them together.
Resultant Force = Force A + Force B
= 2N + 4N = 6N

If the forces are working in opposite directions we subtract them.

Resultant Force = Force A - Force B
= -2N + 4N = 2N

=
Resultant of forces for 2 axis Sign Convention
+y
Y
+x
A = 30 N
30O x
Resolve vector B to
B = 20 N x-component and
y-component

FIGURE 1

The force vector A and B shown in FIGURE 1 has magnitude

30 N and 20 N respectively. By using resolving method,
calculate the magnitude of the resultant force.
 y  comp-x comp-y
 A -Ax = -30N 0
A = 30 N
 Bx = B cos θB -By = -B sin θB
30O
x B
= 20 cos 30o = - 20 sin 30o
 A+ B -12.68 N -10 N
B = 20 N

Resultant Force =  X + Y
2 2

Ry
Direction, tan  R =
( Ax + Bx ) + ( AY + BY ) Rx
2 2
A+ B =
−10
tan  R =
( −12.68 ) + ( −10 )
2 2
= −12.68

= 16.15 N  R = 38.26
Find the resultant force acting on the object, with the aid of a
free body diagram.
1. An object is speeding up as it’s pulled to the right, with no friction

Fpull

W
 Sign Convention
+y
Force x-comp y-comp
+x
N F F 0

N 0 N
F W 0 -W

W
Hence;
F = Fx

 F = N −W
y
2. An object moving to the right slowing down due to friction

Ff

W
Sign Convention Force x-comp y-comp
+y

+x Ff -Ff 0
N N 0 N
W 0 -W
Ff Hence;
F
x = − Ff

F
y = N −W
W
3. An object accelerating to the right with a force applied at an upward
angle

Ff

W
 Sign Convention
N Flash Back!!!!!
+y

Fy F +x

Force x-comp y-comp

θ
Ff Fx F F cos θ F sin θ
Ff - Ff 0
N 0 N
W W 0 -W

Hence; F x = F cos  − F f

F y = F sin  + N − W
Use Theorem Pythagoras
adjecent
F
cos  =
hypothenus
Fx
cos  =
θ F
Fx Fx = F cos 

opposite
F sin  =
hypothenus
Fy
Fy sin  =
θ
F
Fy = F sin 
4. An object accelerating at inclined without friction (smooth surface)

W
θ
 Sign Convention
Force x-comp y-comp
N 0 N

W Wx = -mg sin θ Wy= - mg cos θ

Hence;
N
F x = − mg sin 

mg sin 
mg cos  F y = N − mg cos 
θ

W = mg
4.0 FORCES Students should be able to:

4.2 (a) State Newton's laws of motion.

Newton’s Laws (b) Apply Newton's laws of motion.
of Motion *include static and dynamic equilibrium
for Newton ‘s first law motion
3.2 Newton’s Law of Motion

Newton’s 1st Law of Motion

States:

If there is no net force acting on an object:

• if it is at rest, it will stay at rest
• if it is moving, it keeps on moving at a constant velocity.
❖ also known as the law of inertia.
❖ ‘no net force’ means
1. no force acts on object, or
2. the summation of all forces acting on the object is equal to zero.

F = 0 or Fnet = 0
Inertia
❖ is the tendency of an object to resist any changes in its state of rest or
motion.
❖ Inertia depends on mass.
❖ A bigger mass needs a bigger force to overcome its inertia and
change its motion.
 Easy to start moving

Hard to start moving

Mass, m

- Definition: a measure of a body’s inertia.

- is the amount of matter you contain.

- the value of mass is independent of location.

- scalar quantity ; SI unit is kilogram (kg ).

mass α inertia
 Equilibrium of Particles

What is meant by equilibrium of a particle ?

A particle is said to be in equilibrium when the vector sum of all
forces acting on it is zero.

F = 0 ( Condition for equilibrium of a particle )

Or in other words  Fx = 0 ; Fy = 0

When all forces which act upon a particle are balanced, then it
is said to be in equilibrium.
Balanced means the values of the:
✓upward forces = downward forces
✓leftward forces = rightward forces.

Example: x − component :
120 N
F x = 45 − 45 = 0 N
60 N
y − component :

45 N 45 N
F y = 120 + 60 − 180 = 0 N

180 N Hence, the particle is in equilibrium.

Particle in equilibrium is either :
(1) remain at rest, or
When remaining at rest ( v = 0 ), an object is in static
equilibrium.

(2) moves with a constant velocity

When moving with constant velocity an object is in dynamic
equilibrium.
 Free body Diagram for Equilibrium Particle
Example 3.4
T1 sin 45 T2 sin 45

T1 T2
45 45

T1 cos 45 T2 cos 45

W
Free Body Diagram:
T1 T2 Force x-comp y-comp
45 45 T1 -T1x = -T1 cos 45 T1y = T1 sin 45
Remember T1
and T2 have to
T2 T2x = T2 cos 45 T2y = T2 sin 45
be resolved into
component x-axis
W 0 -W
and y-axis.
W
Solution 3.4

If T1 and T2 are of same magnitude,

Hence, T1 = T2

 Fx = 0 F
y =0

F x = −T1x + T2 x F
y = T1 y + T2 y − W

F x = −T1 cos 45 + T2 cos 45 F

y = T1 sin 45 + T2 sin 45 − W

0 = −T1 cos 45 + T2 cos 45 0 = T1 sin 45 + T2 sin 45 − W

Hence, the photo frame is in equilibrium.

Example 3.5 x
y

N T

mg sinθ mg cosθ
Frictionless
surface 

Free body diagram of the

x
block: y Force x-comp y-comp

N T T

 W

 mg
Solution 3.5

For x-component For y-component

F x =0 F y =0

Hence, the block is in equilibrium.

Exercise:
If two blocks connected by string is being pulled with constant velocity,
write out its respective resultant forces.

Smooth surface
2 different free body diagram:

Object A NA Object B NB
T2
T1 30
T1

WA WB
Example 3.6

The system shown in figure below is in equilibrium and the surfaces

are rough. Draw 3 separate free body diagrams show all forces that
act on each block.

P5-85

m2

m3
m1
Solution 3.6

T1 N2
N3
T2
T1 T2
fs 2 fs 3
W1 W2
W3

* Force draw must be labeled.

* Direction of force must be indicated by the arrow.

Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion
states:

the rate of change of momentum of an object is directly proportional to the

net force acting on it.

According to this law:

dp
F = F net =
dt
d
= (mv)
dt
 dv   dm 
= m  + v 
 dt   dt 
For mass constant, Newton’s 2nd law becomes:
0
dm dv
F = v +m =a
dt dt

F = ma or Fnet = ma
Force is directly proportional to acceleration.

The greater the net force acting, the greater the

acceleration of an object.

The acceleration is in the same direction as the net force.

One newton ( 1 N ) is the force which produces a linear acceleration
of 1 m s–2 in the direction of the force when it acts on a body of
mass 1 kg .

The net force is the vector sum (x and y component) of all

forces acting on the object or system.

If no net force acts on an object,

−1
F = 0 a = 0m s
This links back to Newton’s 1st law.
With no net force the object must continue at the same velocity or
remain at rest.
 Example 3.7
A force of 15 N is applied at an angle of 30° to the horizontal on
a 0.750 kg block at rest on a frictionless surface as shown in
figure.
F
a

30°

(a) What is the magnitude of the resulting acceleration of the

block?
(b) What is the magnitude of the normal force?
Solution 3.7

Step 1 : List out the information given

Step 2 : Sketch an appropriate free body diagram
Step 3 : Choose related equation
(Identify which Newton’s Law to use)
Step 4 : Substitute correct value and calculate
Step 5 : Write final answer with correct unit
Solution 3.7

Note: the forces act in same directions as in space diagram

Solution 3.7

Given: F = 15 N, m = 0.7250 kg, θ = 30°, a = ?,N=?

(a) From body diagram,

 Solution 4.7
Given: F = 15 N, m = 0.7250 kg, θ = 30°, a = ?,N=?

(b) The forces in y direction with upward as positive,

Example 3.8
Three wooden blocks connected by a rope of negligible mass are
being dragged by a horizontal force, F in Figure 4.9.
 
 T1 T2
F m1 m2 m3

Figure 4.9
Suppose that F = 1000 N, m1 = 3 kg, m2 = 15 kg and
m3 = 30 kg. Determine
(a) the acceleration of blocks system.
(b) the tension of the rope, T1 and T2.
(Neglect the friction between the floor and the wooden blocks.)
Solution 3.8

(a) For the block, m1 = 3 kg

 
a N1
 
F T1

m1 g

For the block, m2 = 15 kg

 
a N2
T1 
T2

m2 g
 Solution 3.8

(a) For the block, m3 = 30 kg


N3

 a
T2

m3 g

By substituting eq. (3) into eq. (2) and then (1) into (4), thus
 Solution 3.8

(b) By substituting the value of acceleration into equations (4) and (3),
therefore

𝑻𝟏 = 𝟗𝟑𝟕. 𝟑𝟓 𝑵

𝑻𝟐 = 𝟔𝟐𝟒. 𝟗𝟎 𝑵
Example 3.9

A man pulls a sled of mass 75 kg along a horizontal surface at constant

velocity. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the sled and the
snow is 0.10 and the angle θ = 42°. What is the magnitude of the force T
on the sled from the man?
Solution 3.9
 
Constant velocity → a = 0 m s   F = ma = 0
-2

Refer to the free body diagram:

y

x
Solution 3.9
Example 3.10

Two blocks with masses of m1 = 2 kg, m2 = 5 kg are connected

by a string that passes over a frictionless pulley as shown in
figure below. The coefficient of friction between the table and
m1 is 0.03. Find the acceleration of the system.
Solution 3.10
For m1 : F = ma

For m2 :
F = ma

Equating (1) & (2) we get :

Formative Assessment 4.2
1.

A trained sea lion slides from rest down a long ramp into a pool
of water. If the ramp is inclined at an angle of 23° above the
horizontal and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the
sea lion and ramp is 0.26. Calculate the acceleration of the sea
lion as it slides down the ramp.
Formative Assessment 3.2

2. An object ( mass 3.0 kg ) slides upward on a vertical

wall at a constant velocity when a force F of 60 N
acts on it at an angle of 60° to the horizontal.
(a) Draw the free body diagram of the object.
(b) Using Newton’s laws find the normal force on
the object.
(c) Determine the force of kinetic friction on the
object.

Answer : (b) 30 N (c) 23 N

Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion

states:

for every action (force), there is a reaction (opposing force) of equal

magnitude but acts in opposite direction.
Example:
when you push on the wall, it will push back with the same force.

 
FHand on Wall = − FWall on Hand

Action & reaction must act on different objects during an

interaction. They do not cancel out.
Example 4.11
A University Physics book is placed on top of a smooth table.
Explain the forces that exists.

University Physics

Solution 4.12 Reaction Force:

Normal from the
table, N
Free Body Diagram

Action Force:
Weight, W
1. When the book is placed on top of the table, it will exerts
a force acting downwards on to the table. This force is the
weight, W.

2. According to Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion, every action

force has a reaction force that is equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction.

3. Hence, the table will exert an upward Normal Reaction

Force, N to the book with equal magnitude.
Example : for Inclined Plane
•mg cos θ is an action pushes on the
surface.
N Reaction
•The surface pushes back with a normal
reaction force, N which is perpendicularly
upwards on the object.

•N is the reaction to the action.

mg sin θ θ

mg cos θ Action
θ
mg

According to Newton’s 3rd law : N = mg cos θ

Example 4.12

Example 4.12
lif

The diagram shows the forces acting on a

person in a lift. The person has a mass of
70 kg. Calculate the normal reaction force, N  
a , Fn et
when :
(a) the lift is at rest.
(b) the lift is accelerating upwards at
1.0 m s–2.
(c) the lift is accelerating downwards at
2.0 m s–2.  
(d) the lift is ascending at a steady speed. a , Fn et
Solution 4.12

Solution 4.12

(a) At rest, a =0 F =0 net

(b) Accelerating upwards, applying Newton’s 2nd law

(c) Accelerating downwards,

(d) Constant speed → acceleration a = 0 m s–2 ,

Example 3.13

Example 3.13

A block is dragged by forces, F1 and F2 of the magnitude 20 N and 30 N

respectively as shown in Figure 4.12. The frictional force f exerted on the block
is 5 N. If the weight of the block is 200 N and it is move horizontally, determine
the acceleration of the block.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)  
a F1

 50
 
f 20 F2
Figure 4.12
Solution 3.13

Solution 3.13

Given: F1 = 20 N, F2 = 30 N, fk = 5 N, W = 200 N
The motion of the box is along the horizontal axis (x-axis) ;
Formative Assessment 3.3

1. Identify the forces acting on the system shown in figure below

F Smooth
pulley

Rough plane
B

A
Figure 1
Figure 2
2. Based on Figure 3,
(a) draw a free body diagram and
(b) construct the equation for the net force that causes the block
moves to the right.
(Assuming that there is a kinetic friction between the block and
the track)

Figure 3
3. An object accelerates on the floor to the right across a frictional
surface when 50 N force is applied to it. The object encounters
10 N of frictional force and the weight of the object is 80 N.
Determine
(a) the normal force
(b) the net force
(c) the coefficient of friction between the object and the floor
(d) the mass
(e) the acceleration of the object.
4. Two blocks, A and B are placed on the table and the coefficient
friction between the table and block is 0.1. It is connected by light
string with the third block, C with the smooth pulley. These three
blocks have mass 3.0 kg, 4.0 kg and 5.0 kg respectively.
Calculate the acceleration of the system and the tension in each
connecting spring. (refer Figure 4)

Figure 4
End of Topic 3