UNIT

2 Dynamics | 2.D Newton’s Third Law and Eliminating Internal Forces

NAME DATE

Scenario
A train engine pulls a train with three cars. Each car has the mass shown. Suppose that the cars are
connected by metal bars with the tensions indicated in the diagram. The engine accelerates at a rate of
2 m/s2. Assume that the cars travel on
bearings with negligible friction.

Using Representations
PART A: The dots below represent the three train cars. Draw free-body diagrams showing and labeling the
forces (not components) exerted on each car. Draw the relative lengths of all vectors to reflect the
relative magnitudes of all the forces. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow starting on
and pointing away from the dot. For each diagram, write an equation that relates the horizontal forces
in the diagram to acceleration.

Forces on the 3,000 kg car Forces on the 2,000 kg car Forces on the 1,000 kg car

= = =

PART B: The dots below represent three different systems. Draw free-body diagrams showing and labeling the
forces (not components) exerted on each system. Draw the relative lengths of all the vectors to reflect
the relative magnitudes of all the forces. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow starting
on and pointing away from the dot. For each diagram, write an equation that relates the forces in the
diagram to acceleration.

Forces on the system of the Forces on the system of the Forces on system of the 3,000 kg,
2,000 kg and 3,000 kg cars 2,000 kg and 1,000 kg cars 2,000 kg, and 1,000 kg cars

= = =

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 2.D Newton’s Third Law and Eliminating Internal Forces

Quantitative Analysis
PART C: Use the equations you wrote above to find each of the three tensions: F 1, F 2 , and F 3.

Argumentation
PART D: Without referencing any math or any numbers, explain why F 1 is the greatest tension and F 3 is the
smallest tension, even though F 3 is connected to the greatest mass.

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 UNIT

2 Dynamics | 2.E Newton’s Second and Third Laws

NAME DATE

Scenario
Two blocks are being pushed across a surface with an external
force F, as shown in the figure at the right. The mass m 2 of block 2
is greater than the mass m 1 of block 1. The blocks begin at rest.
The surface is smooth enough that the frictional forces between the
surface and the block can be neglected.

Using Representations
PART A: The dots below represent the two blocks. Draw free-body diagrams showing and labeling the forces
(not components) exerted on each block. Draw the relative lengths of all vectors to reflect the relative
magnitudes of all the forces. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow starting on and
pointing away from the dot.

Quantitative Analysis
PART B: Derive the magnitude of the acceleration of block 2. Express your answers in terms of m1, m 2 , g, and F.

The sum of the external forces on the system will be equal to

Fx  ma x
the mass of the system times the acceleration of the system.

The net external force (in the horizontal direction) is Fpush .

The mass of the system is the sum of the two masses.

The acceleration of the system is then:

And since mass 2 will have the same acceleration as the

system, the acceleration of mass 2 is:

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 2.E Newton’s Second and Third Laws

Block 3 of mass m 3 is added to the system as shown at right. The

three boxes are pushed across the same surface with the same
external force F.

Argumentation
PART C: Indicate whether the magnitude of the acceleration of block 2 is now larger, smaller, or the same as
in the original situation. Justify your answer.
Larger Smaller Same

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