MechYr1 Chapter 10 ::

Forces and Motion

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Last modified: 5th August 2018

 Force Diagrams and Common Forces
The reaction force of the
plane on the block (i.e.
We consider the forces acting on each
resisting the block sinking 𝑅 object one at a time.
into the plane)

Force pulling the block. When

Resistances to 𝐹 𝑃 a string/cable is involved, this Recall that we often
motion, in this is tension 𝑇. model an object as a
case the friction particle, i.e. a point
between the
with negligible
block and the 𝑊 The weight of the block. dimensions.
plane.

 Newton’s 1st Law of Motion states than an object at rest will stay at
rest and that an object moving with constant velocity will remain at that
velocity unless an unbalanced force acts on the object.
In other words, if the object is not accelerating, the forces are balanced in every direction,
e.g. forces up = forces down and forces left = forces right.
We use 𝑅( ) to
‘resolve’ the forces
 The ‘resultant force’ 40 𝑁 𝑅 ↑ : 40 − 5 = 35 𝑁 in a particular
direction. This is
is the overall force
acting on the object. An
𝑅 → : 30 − 30 = 0 𝑁 standard notation
expected in exams.
object will accelerate in 30 𝑁 30 𝑁
the direction of the 35 𝑁 Therefore a ‘resultant’ force of
resultant force. 35 N upwards and the object
5𝑁 will accelerate upwards.
Quickfire Examples

5𝑁
𝑅 ↑ : 5−5=0𝑁
𝑃𝑁 𝑅 → : 𝑃−3 𝑁 𝑃−3 𝑁
3𝑁

5𝑁
4𝑁
𝑅 ↑ : 4 − 6 = −2 𝑁 We’ll worry about the
2𝑁 𝑅 → : 5 − 7 = −2 𝑁
magnitude of this
7𝑁 force in a sec…
3𝑁

6𝑁
Forces as Vectors
Forces have direction, and therefore we can naturally write
them as vectors, either in 𝒊-𝒋 notation or as column vectors.

 You can find the resultant of two or more forces given as vectors by adding the vectors.

[Textbook] The forces 2𝒊 + 3𝒋, 4𝒊 − 𝒋, [Textbook] The vector 𝑖 is due east and 𝑗 due north. A
− 3𝒊 + 2𝒋 and 𝑎𝒊 + 𝑏𝒋 act on an object particle begins at rest at the origin. It is acted on by
which is in equilibrium. Find the values of three forces 2𝒊 + 𝒋 N, 3𝒊 − 2𝒋 N and −𝒊 + 4𝒋 N.
𝑎 and 𝑏. (a) Find the resultant force in the form 𝑝𝒊 + 𝑞𝒋.
(b) Work out the magnitude and bearing of the
resultant force.
2 4 −3 𝑎
+ + +
3 −1 2 𝑏 If in a 2 3 −1 4
3+𝑎 0 equilibrium, + + = = 4𝒊 + 3𝒋
= = 1 −2 4 3
4+𝑏 0 resultant
∴ 𝑎 = −3, 𝑏 = −4 force is 0. b The magnitude of the force is the
magnitude of the vector:
3 4
= 42 + 32 = 5 𝑁
𝜃 3
4 3
𝜃 = tan−1 = 36.9°
4
∴ Bearing = 90 − 36.9 = 053.1°
Test Your Understanding
Edexcel M1 Jan 2012 Q3 Edexcel M1 May 2009 Q2

1
Fro Tip: If a vector is parallel to say , then it
2
𝑘
could be any multiple of it, i.e.
2𝑘
Exercise 10B
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 161-162

10A p158: 7, 8c, 11,

10B p161: 1bd, 3, 4bd, 6

Exercise 10B
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 161-162

Extension
A force 𝐹1 acts in the direction of 𝑖 and a
force 𝐹2 acts at an angle of 𝜃 to 𝑖, as shown. 𝐹2
Show that the resultant force has magnitude 𝜃
𝐹12 + 𝐹22 + 2𝐹1 𝐹2 cos 𝜃 𝐹1
𝑭𝟏 + 𝑭𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽
Force vector:
𝑭𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽
Magnitude:
𝑭𝟏 + 𝑭𝟐𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 𝟐 + 𝑭𝟐𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜽

= 𝑭𝟐𝟏 + 𝟐𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 + 𝑭𝟐𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝜽 + 𝑭𝟐𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜽

= 𝑭𝟐𝟏 + 𝟐𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 + 𝑭𝟐𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝜽 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜽

= 𝑭𝟐𝟏 + 𝑭𝟐𝟐 + 𝟐𝑭𝟏𝑭𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽

 Forces and Acceleration
 Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion: 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
(where the force 𝐹 and acceleration 𝑎 are in the same direction)

This ‘feels’ right: if we doubled the force, we double the rate at which it accelerates.
Similarly, if we have an object of twice the mass, we’d require twice the force to make it
accelerate at the same rate.
A child has a mass of 50kg. What is
A car of 2000kg has a driving force of the gravitational force acting on the
800N and forces of 200N resisting its child? (i.e. its weight)
motion. Determine its acceleration.
Acceleration under gravity is 𝑔 = 9.8 ms-2.
𝑎 Fro Preference: Use 𝐹 = 50𝑔 = 490 𝑁
double arrow to indicate
direction (and value if
200 2000kg 800 known) of acceleration.  Weight 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
Fro Preference: Put mass of
particle inside circle/square.
A falling sheep of mass 70kg experiences air
resistance of 300 N. Determine the sheep’s
𝑅 → : 800 − 200 = 2000 × 𝑎 acceleration as it plummets towards the ground.
600
𝑎= = 0.3 ms-2 300
2000 𝑅 ↓ : 70𝑔 − 300 = 386 N
70kg 386 = 70𝑎
386
70𝑔 𝑎 = 70 = 5.51 (3sf)
Combining 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 with 𝑠𝑢𝑣𝑎𝑡 equations
Since 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 involves both force and acceleration, it allows us to connect
calculations involving forces with a calculations involving 𝑠𝑢𝑣𝑎𝑡 values.
[Textbook] A body of mass 5kg is pulled along a rough horizontal table by a
horizontal force of magnitude 20N against a constant friction force of magnitude
4N. Given that the body is initially at rest, find:
(a) the acceleration of the body
(b) the distance travelled by the body in the first 4 seconds
(c) the magnitude of the normal reaction between the body and the table

𝑎 a 𝑅 → : 20 − 4 = 5𝑎
16
𝑅 𝑎 = = 3.2 ms-2
5

4 5 kg 20 b 1 2
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡
2
5𝑔 1
𝑠 = 0 × 4 + × 3.2 × 42
2
= 25.6 m
c If the object is not
𝑅 ↑ : 𝑅 = 5𝑔 accelerating in a particular
𝑅 = 49 N direction, e.g. up-down,
then forces up = forces
down.
Testing Your Understanding
Edexcel M1 May 2012 Q5 (abridged)
Exercise 10C
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 164-166

10A p158: 7, 8c, 12,

10B p161: 1d, 3, 4bd, 6

10C p164: 2, 6a, 8, 10

Motion in 2 dimensions
In Chapter 8 we saw that many physical quantities could have both direction
and magnitude, and therefore could be represented as a vector:

Can be a vector: Force, acceleration, velocity, displacement

Scalar only: Mass, area, volume

This naturally means that 𝑭 = 𝑚𝒂 works with vectors too.

[Textbook] Let 𝒊 represent East and 𝒋 North. A resultant force of 3𝒊 + 8𝒋 N acts upon
a particle of mass 0.5 kg.
(a) Find the acceleration of the particle in the form (𝑝𝒊 + 𝑞𝒋) ms-2.
(b) Find the magnitude and bearing of the acceleration of the particle.

a 3
= 0.5 × 𝑎
8
6
∴𝑎= = (6𝒊 + 16𝒋) ms-2
16
b
6
= 62 + 162 = 17.1 ms-2 (3sf)
16 16
16
𝜃 Bearing: 90 − tan−1 6 = 020.6°

6
Test Your Understanding
[Textbook] A boat is modelled as a particle of mass 60 kg being acted on by three forces.
80 10𝑞 −75
𝐹1 = 𝑁, 𝐹2 = 𝑁, 𝐹3 = 𝑁
50 20𝑞 100
0.8
Given that the boat is accelerating at a rate of ms-2, find the values of 𝑝 and 𝑞.
−1.5

Resultant force:
80 10𝑝 −75 5 + 10𝑝
+ + = N
50 20𝑞 100 150 + 20𝑞

𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
5 + 10𝑝 0.8 48
= 60 × =
150 + 20𝑞 −1.5 −90
∴ 5 + 10𝑝 = 48 ⇒ 𝑝 = 4.3
and 150 + 20𝑞 = −90 ⇒ 𝑞 = −12
Exercise 10D
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 167-169
Connected Particles
Up to now we’ve only considered one particle at a time.
When we have multiple connected objects moving in the same direction, they can
be considered as a single particle:

[Textbook] Two particles, 𝑃 and 𝑄, of masses 5kg and 3kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible string.
Particle 𝑃 is pulled by a horizontal force of magnitude 40N along a rough horizontal plane. Particle 𝑃 experiences a
frictional force of 10N and particle 𝑄 experiences a frictional force of 6N.
(a) Find the acceleration of the particles.
(b) Find the tension in the string.
(c) Explain how the modelling assumptions that the string is light and inextensible have been used.

a If we considered the two particles as

𝑎 one, we can ignore the tensions (they
𝑅1 𝑅2
cancel as they are in opposite
𝑄 𝑃 directions):
𝑇 𝑇 40 𝑁
3kg 5kg 𝑹 → : 𝟒𝟎 − 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟔 = 𝟖𝒂
6𝑁 10 𝑁 𝟖𝒂 = 𝟐𝟒
𝒂 = 𝟑 ms-2
3𝑔 𝑁 5𝑔 𝑁 If we considered them as separate
particles (not recommended):
Key Point 1: The tension in a given Key Point 2: Recall that 𝑅 is used for
piece of string is the same in any the ‘reaction’ force, acting
At 𝑸, 𝑹 → : 𝑻 − 𝟔 = 𝟑𝒂
part of the string (at a given time). perpendicular to the plane. The At 𝑷, 𝑹 → : 𝟒𝟎 − 𝑻 − 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟓𝒂
The tension acts away from each reaction forces may be different for
particle in the direction of the string. 𝑃 and 𝑄, so we used 𝑅1 and 𝑅2 . Adding the equations to eliminate 𝑻:
𝟐𝟒 = 𝟖𝒂 as before.
Connected Particles
[Textbook] Two particles, 𝑃 and 𝑄, of masses 5kg and 3kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible string.
Particle 𝑃 is pulled by a horizontal force of magnitude 40N along a rough horizontal plane. Particle 𝑃 experiences a
frictional force of 10N and particle 𝑄 experiences a frictional force of 6N.
(a) Find the acceleration of the particles.
(b) Find the tension in the string.
(c) Explain how the modelling assumptions that the string is light and inextensible have been used.

b For 𝑃: 𝑅 → : 40 − 𝑇 − 10 = 5 × 3
𝑇 = 15 N
𝑎
𝑅1 𝑅2 c Inextensible ⇒ acceleration of
objects the same
𝑄 𝑃
𝑇 𝑇 40 𝑁
3kg 5kg Light ⇒ tension is the same
6𝑁 10 𝑁 throughout the length of the string
and the mass of the string is
3𝑔 𝑁 5𝑔 𝑁 negligible
Exercise 10E
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 171-172

10D p167: 3, 5, 6, 9

10E p171: 1, 2, 3, 5
Newton’s 3rd Law
 Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Therefore when two bodies 𝐴 and 𝐵 are in contact, if body 𝐴 exerts a force on body
𝐵, then body 𝐵 exerts a force on body 𝐴 that is equal in magnitude and acts in the
opposite direction. Confusion I had as a student: “If
the opposite is equal but opposite,
[Textbook] A light scale-pan is attached to a vertical light inextensible string. surely the object can’t move?”
The scale-pan carries two masses 𝐴 and 𝐵. The mass of 𝐴 is 400g and the Solution: The forces are acting on
mass of 𝐵 is 600g. 𝐴 rests on top of 𝐵, as shown in the diagram. different objects!
The scale-pan is raised vertically, using the string, with acceleration 0.5 ms-2.
(a) Find the tension in the string.
(b) Find the force exerted on mass 𝐵 by mass 𝐴.
(c) Find the force exerted on mass 𝐵 by the scale-pan.

b By Newton’s 3rd Law, we force exerted on 𝐵 by 𝐴 is the same

as that exerted on 𝐴 by 𝐵. So considering forces at 𝐴:
a
Considering the whole system
𝑅 𝑅 ↑ : 𝑅 − 0.4𝑔 = 0.4 × 0.5
(i.e. the triangle): 𝐴
0.5 ms-2 𝑅 = 4.12 N
𝑇 0.4 kg So force exerted on 𝐵 by 𝐴 is
𝐴 𝑅 ↑ : 𝑇 − 1𝑔 = 1 × 0.5 4.1N downwards.
𝑇 = 10.3 N 0.4𝑔
0.4 kg
1 kg Fro Tip: When you have objects stacked on top of each other,
you would typically resolve forces on the top object, and the
0.6 kg 𝐵 two objects combined. It’s too complicated to consider forces on
1𝑔 the bottom object in isolation. We can use Newton’s 3rd Law to
reverse “force of 𝐴 on 𝐵” to “force of 𝐵 on 𝐴” and vice versa.
Test Your Understanding
Edexcel M1 May 2013 Q2
Exercise 10E
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 171-172

10E: 4
Mixed Ex p177: 2
Review Q. p199: 13
Pulleys
A pulley is a wheel on which a rope/string/cable passes.
For the purposes of Mechanics Year 1, the two particles hanging either side will
either be horizontal or vertical.

[Textbook] Particles 𝑃 and 𝑄, of masses 2𝑚 and 3𝑚, are attached to the ends
of a light inextensible string. The string passes over a small smooth fixed pulley
Why can’t we just model both particles and the masses hang with the string taut. The system is released from rest.
as a single particle as before? (a) Write down an equation of motion for 𝑃 and for 𝑄.
The particles are moving in different (b) Find the acceleration of each mass.
directions, so the tensions do not (c) Find the tension in the string.
(d) Find the force exerted on the pulley by the string.
cancel.
(e) Find the distance moved by 𝑄 in the first 4 s, assuming that 𝑃 does not
reach the pulley.
Under what conditions is the tension in
each part of the string the same? a For 𝑃, 𝑅 ↑ : 𝑇 − 2𝑚𝑔 = 2𝑚𝑎 (1)
Single piece of string and smooth 𝐹 For 𝑄, 𝑅 ↓ : 3𝑚𝑔 − 𝑇 = 3𝑚𝑎 (2)
pulley. b Adding equations:
1
𝑇 𝑇 𝑚𝑔 = 5𝑚𝑎 → 𝑎 = 𝑔 ms-2
5

𝑎 𝑎 c Substituting back into (1):

Remember that tension acts 2 12
𝑇 𝑇 = 2𝑚𝑎 + 2𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔 + 2𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔 N
away from each object in the 5 5
𝑇 3𝑚
direction of the string. This
2𝑚
d Force exerted on pulley by string:
includes the pulley! 24
3𝑚𝑔 = 2𝑇 = 𝑚𝑔 N
2𝑚𝑔 5

Ensure that you add the

direction of acceleration at e 𝑠 =? , 𝑢 = 0, 𝑎 =
1
𝑔, 𝑡 = 4
each moving particle, and 5
resolve forces in this direction. 1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
= 15.7 m (3sf)
 Horizontal and vertical string
𝑅 [Textbook] Two particles 𝐴 and 𝐵 of masses 0.4kg and 0.8kg respectively are
𝑎 connected by a light inextensible string. Particle 𝐴 lies on a rough horizontal
𝐴 table 4.5m from a small smooth pulley which is fixed at the edge of the table.
𝑇 𝑇 The string passes over the pulley and 𝐵 hangs freely, with the string taut, 0.5m
0.08𝑔 0.4𝑘𝑔 above horizontal ground. A frictional force of magnitude 0.08g opposes the
𝑇
motion of particle 𝐴. The system is released from rest. Find:
𝑎 (a) The acceleration of the system
0.4𝑔 (b) The time taken for 𝐵 to reach the ground
𝑇 (c) The total distance travelled by 𝐴 before it first comes to rest.
𝐵
0.8𝑘𝑔 a For 𝐴, 𝑅 → , 𝑇 − 0.08𝑔 = 0.4𝑎 (1)
For 𝐵, 𝑅 ↓ , 0.8𝑔 − 𝑇 = 0.8𝑎 (2)
0.8𝑔
Adding:
0.72𝑔 = 1.2𝑎 → 𝑎 = 0.6𝑔

b 𝑠 = 0.5, 𝑢 = 0, 𝑣, 𝑎 = 5.88, 𝑡 =?
1 2 1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 → 0.5 = 0 + 5.88 𝑡 2 → 𝑡 = 0.41 (2𝑠𝑓)
2 2

Strategy for (c): c First find speed of 𝐵 when it hits ground:

1. This is a ‘two-time period’ problem, in this case 𝑠, 𝑢 = 0, 𝑣 =?, 𝑎 = 5.88, 𝑡 = 0.41239
(i) before 𝐵 hits ground and (ii) after. Consider how 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 = 2.42487 ms . -1
the forces change in the second period after 𝐵 has
hit the floor: the string becomes slack so there is no
This becomes the initial velocity of 𝐴 as we consider the period after
tension. We will need to recalculate acceleration. 𝐵 hits the ground.
2. Remember that 𝑠𝑢𝑣𝑎𝑡 applies across a period of String then becomes slack so only 0.08𝑔 force acting on 𝐴:
time. The final velocity of 𝐴 in the first period will 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 → −0.08𝑔 = 0.4𝑎 → 𝑎 = −0.2𝑔
become the initial velocity in the second. ∴ 𝑠 =? , 𝑢 = 2.42487, 𝑣 = 0, 𝑎 = −0.2𝑔, 𝑡
𝐴, 𝐵 start moving. 𝐵 hits ground. 𝐴 comes to res t.
𝑣→𝑢 2 2
𝑢=0 𝑠 = 0.5 𝑠 =? 𝑣=0
𝑣 = 𝑢 + 2𝑎𝑠 → … → 𝑠 = 1.5 m (2sf)
Time Total distance: 0.5 + 1.5 = 2.0 m (2sf)
 Test Your Understanding
Edexcel M1 Jan 2010 Q6

(“N2L” = Newton’s 2nd Law)

Exercise 10F
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 175-177

1,2,3,5

Mixed p179: 12, 13, 14