Strength: solutions

1 .- A mobile with a mass of 600 kg accelerates at a rate of 1.2 m/ s2. What force drove
him?

Data:
m = 600 kg
a = 1.2 m/s2

F = ma >>>>> F = 600 kg • 1.2 m/s2 = 720 N

2 .- What mass must a body have for a force of 588 N to accelerate it at a rate of 9.8 m /2?

Data:
F = 588 N
a = 9.8 m/s2

F = ma >>>>> m = F/a = 588 N / 9.8 m/ s2 = 60 kg

3 .- Two forces act on a 250 kg body in opposite directions, one of 5,880 N to the right and
one of 5,000 N to the left. What is the acceleration of the body?

Data: • Fder
Fizq
m = 250 kg
Fder = 5.880 N
Fizq = 5,000 N

From the figure it can be seen that the forces must be subtracted: ΣF = ma = Fder - Fizq

Fder – Fizq = ma >>>>> a = (Fder – Fizq) / m = (5,880 N – 5,000 N) / 250 kg = 3.52 m/s2

4 .- For the previous problem: Suppose that the forces act for one minute. What distance
will it travel in that time? What speed will it reach at the end of the minute?

Data:
a = 3.52 m/s2
t = 1 min = 60 s
Assuming the object starts from rest: vi = 0 m/s

d = vit + at2/2 >>>>> d = 0 m/s • 60 s + 3.52 m/ s2 • (60 s)2 / 2 = 6.336 m

vf = vi + at >>>>> vf = 0 m/s + 3.52 m/s2 • 60 s = 211.2 m/s

5 .- A 100 kg vehicle travels 1 km in a time of 10 s starting from rest. If it did so with

constant acceleration, what force propelled it?

Data:
m = 100 kg
d = 1 km = 1,000 m
t = 10 s
vi = 0 m/s

F = ma, but the acceleration a is unknown, therefore:

d = vit + at2/2 >>>>> a = 2(d – vit)/t2 = 2 • (1,000 m – 0 m/s • 10 s) / (10 s)2 = 20 m/s2

Now, F = ma >>>>> F = 100 kg • 20 m/s2 = 2,000 N

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6 .- A forklift with a mass of 3,200 kg descends with an acceleration of 1 m/ s2. Find the
tension in the cable.

Note: in this problem, the drawing or force diagram is practically indispensable.

Data: T
m = 3,200 kg
a = 1 m/s2
g = 9.8 m/s2
n
When there is more than one force acting on a body, the resultant force
must be found, therefore, we will have: m
mg
ΣF = ma = mg – T = ma to
,
Mg is placed first because the motion is in the direction of mg.

So:

T = mg – ma = m(g – a) = 3,200 kg • (9.8 m/s2 – 1 m/s2) = 28,160 N

7 .- A 2 kg body hangs from the end of a cable. Calculate the tension of the same, if the
acceleration is a) 5 m/s2 upwards, b) 5 m/s2 downwards.

Data:
m = 2 kg
a) a = 5 m/s2 ascending
b) a = 5 m/s2 descending

a) ΣF = ma = T - mg

T = ma + mg = m(a + g) = 2 kg • (5 m/s2 + 9.8 m/s2)

T = 29.6 N

b) ΣF = ma = mg - T

T = mg – ma = m(g – a) = 2 kg • (9.8 m/s2 – 5 m/s2) = 9.6 N

8 .- Calculate the maximum acceleration with which a 90 kg man can slide

down a rope that can only support a load of 735 N.

Since the rope can hold a maximum weight equivalent to 735 N, it is assumed
that when the man is on the rope, the tension will be maximum.

Data:
m = 90 kg
T = 735 N

ΣF = ma = mg – T >>>>> a = (mg – T) / m = (90 kg • 9.8 m/ s2 – 735 N) / 90 kg a mg

= 1.633 m/s2

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9 .- From a rope that passes through a pulley hang two masses, one of 7 kg and another
of 9 kg. Assuming there is no friction, calculate the acceleration and tension in the
string.

m2g – m1g = m1a + m2a >>>>> (m2 – m1)g = (m1 + m2)a

Then: a = (m2 – m1)g / (m1 + m2) = (9 kg – 7 kg) • 9.8 m/s2 / (7 kg + 9 kg) = 1.225 m/s2

And, the tension T is obtained by replacing the acceleration a in either of the two initial
equations. If the first one is considered:

T = m1a + m1g = m(a + g) = 7 kg • (1.225 m/s2 + 9.8 m/s2) = 77.175 N

10 .- A 50 kg block is at rest on a horizontal floor. The minimum horizontal force required to

start the movement is 147 N and the minimum horizontal force required to keep it
moving at a constant speed is 98 N. a) Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction, b)
What will be the friction force?
when a horizontal force of 49 N is applied to the block?

Data:
m = 50 kg
Fminimum = 147 N (to start the movement)
Fminimum = 98 N (to maintain movement)

a) For the coefficient of kinetic friction to be correct, the object must be in motion,
therefore, let us consider the minimum force to maintain the motion.

F = f with f equal to the kinetic friction force, which is equal to f = μkN

Therefore, F = μkN, and since the object has no vertical motion, we have that N = mg.

Then, F = μkmg >>>>> μk = F / mg = 98 N / (50 kg • 9.8 m/s2) = 0.2

Note: Do not confuse the concept of normal force, which is written with the letter N, with the
unit of force, which is the newton, and is also written with the letter N.

b) If a horizontal force of 49 N is applied, the block will not move since the minimum force
to start moving it is 147 N. And, in this case, the static friction force that will affect the
block will be 49 N.

It must be considered that the static friction force that affects an object is
equivalent to the force that tries to move it as long as the minimum force
necessary to move it is not reached.

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11 .- A force of 196 N is applied to a 50 kg block placed on a horizontal surface for 3 s.
Knowing that the coefficient of friction between the block and the ground is 0.25, find
the speed acquired by the block after 3 s.
Data: m = v
N —•
50 kg F =
196 N t = F F ! !
3sμ=
0.25 vf = ?
mg
Since there is no vertical movement: N = mg

Assuming that the block starts from rest, then there is an acceleration that allows it to reach
the speed, vf = vi + at, which is desired to be determined, then:

ΣF = ma >>>>> F – f = F – μN = F – μmg = ma >>>>> a = (F – μmg) / ma = (196 N – 0.25 •

50 kg • 9.8 m/s2) / 50 kg = 1.47 m/s2

And, since vf = vi + at, we have:

vf = 0 m/s + 1.47 m/s2 • 3 s = 4.41 m/s

12 .- On the surface of a table there is a 25 kg block, it is attached through a cable, which

passes through a pulley, to another 20 kg body, which hangs vertically. Calculate the
constant force that must be applied to the 25 kg block so that the 20 kg block rises with
an acceleration of 1 m/s2, knowing that the coefficient of friction between the table and
the block is 0.2.

Data:
s2
m1 = 25 kg m2 = 20 kg a = 1 m/ μ = 0.2

First we will see what happens in body m1.

N = m1g
F – T – f = m1a >>>>> F – T – μN = m1a

(1) F – T – μm1g = m1a

In the second body, we have:

(2) T – m2g = m2a

And, if we now add (1) to (2), we will have:

F – μm1g – m2g = m1a + m2a >>>>> F = (m1 + m2)a + (μm1 + m2)g

F = (25 kg + 20 kg) • 1 m/s2 + (0.25 • 25 kg + 20 kg) • 9.8 m/s2 = 302.25 N

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13.- A 100 kg body hangs from the end of a rope. Calculate its acceleration when the
tension in the rope is a) 125 N, b) 1,200 N, c) 980 N.

Data:
m = 100kg
Strength: solutions
a)
mg

For all cases the equation T – mg = ma >>>>> a = (T - mg) / m will be used. This means
that the body is supposed to rise.

a) a = (125 N – 100 kg • 9.8 m/s2) / 100 kg = - 8.55 m/s2

Since the acceleration was negative, the body does not rise, but descends with an
acceleration of 8.55 m/s2.

b) a = (1,200N – 100 kg • 9.8 m/s2) / 100 kg = 2.2 m/s2

Since the acceleration is positive, what you assumed is correct, that is, the body rises with
an acceleration of 2.2 m/s2.

c) a = (980 N – 100 kg • 9.8 m/s2) / 100 kg = 0 m/s2

Since the acceleration is 0 m/s2, the body rises or falls with constant speed, and can also be
at rest. It must be remembered that the concept of acceleration refers to the change in
speed.

14 .- A mine elevator, weighing 7,840 N, starts upwards with a

acceleration of 6 m/s2. Calculate the tension in the cable at the moment of

Data:
W = mg = 7.840 N a = 6 m/s2

Since mg = 7840 N, then m = 7840 N / g = 7840 N / 9.8 m/s2 = 800 kg

T – mg = ma >>>>> T = ma + mg = 800 kg • 6 m/ s2 + 7,840 N = 12,640 N

• mg
15 .- A 1,500 kg body hanging from the end of a cable descends at a speed of 4 m/s when
it begins to stop. Knowing that the distance it travels until it stops is 3 m, calculate the
tension in the cable assuming that the deceleration is constant.

Data: m = 1,500 kg vi = 4 m/s vf = 0 m/sd = 3 m mg – T = ma >>>>> T = mg – ma = m(g – a)

vf2 = vi2 + 2ad >>>>> a = (vf2 - vi2) / 2d = [(0 m/s) 2 – (4 m/s)2] / (2 • 3 m) a = - 2.67 m/s2

So: m

T = 1,500 kg • [9.8 m/s2 – (-2.67 m/s2)] = 18,700 N to

▼
v mg

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16 .- The mass of an elevator is 1,200 kg. Calculate the tension in the cables when a) it
rises with an acceleration of 1 m/s2, b) it descends with an acceleration of 1 m/s2.

Data:
m = 1,200 kg
a) a = 1 m/s2 ascending.

T – mg = ma >>>>> T = ma + mg = m(a + g) = 1,200 kg • (1 m/ s2 + 9.8 m/s2) = 12,960 N

b) a = 1 m/s2 descending.

mg – T = ma >>>>> T = mg – ma = m(g – a) = 1,200 kg • (9.8 m/ s2 – 1 m/s2) = 10,560 N

17 .- An 80 kg man is inside an elevator that descends with a uniform acceleration of 1

m/s2. Calculate the force that the man exerts on the elevator. Same when it rises with
the same previous acceleration.

Data:
m = 80 kg
a = 1 m/s2 descending.

The force that the person exerts on the elevator floor is equivalent to the tension that the
rope holding the elevator must withstand.

mg – T = ma >>>>> T = mg – ma = m(g – a) = 80 kg • (9.8 m/ s2 – 1 m/s2) = 704 N

And, if it rises, we have:

T – mg = ma >>>>> T = ma + mg = m(a + g) = 80 kg • (1 m/ s2 + 9.8 m/s2) = 864 N

18 .- From the ends of a rope that passes through a frictionless pulley, two loads of 2 and
6 kg of mass hang. Calculate the acceleration and tension in the string.

This exercise is performed the same as number 9.

Results: a = 4.9 m/s2 T = 29.4 N

19 .- An elevator starts upwards with a constant acceleration

such that after 0.8 seconds it has risen 1 m. Inside it is a man
carrying a 3kg package hanging from a thread. Calculate the
tension in the thread.

Data: t = 0.8 sd = 1 m vi = 0 m/sm = 3 kg

As the elevator accelerates upward, everything inside it

accelerates at the same rate.

d = vit + at2/2 >>>>> a = 2(d – vit)/t2 = 2 • (1 m – 0 m/s • 0.8 s) / (0.8

s)2 = 3.125 m /s2

Then, what happens with the package that the person is holding would be:

T – mg = ma >>>> T = ma + mg = m(a + g) = 3 kg • (3.125 m/ s2 + 9.8 m/s2) = 38.775 N

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20 .- A 70 kg parachutist launches himself freely into space from rest and 5 seconds after
the moment of launch he opens his parachute. This takes time to open
fully 0.8 s and the speed increases to 12 m/s when fully open. Calculate the
average force exerted on the strings of parachute A, assuming that it is
weightless. to

Data: m = 70 kg vi = 0 m/st = 5 s (fall) t = 0.8 s (opening of the parachute) vf = 12 m/s

(after opening the parachute)

If you want to determine the average force exerted by the parachute strings,
consider that in that section, while the parachute opens, there is a deceleration that
would be: a = (vf – vi)/t, where that final speed corresponds to the one reached after
falling freely for 5 s, that is: vf = gt = 9.8 m/s2 • 5 s = 49 m/s. Note that this will be the
initial speed at the moment the parachute begins to open, therefore, the mg
deceleration experienced by the parachute would be:
vf,
a = (12 m/s – 49 m/s) / 0.8 s = - 46.25 m/s2

That acceleration points upwards, therefore it is equal to 46.25 m/s2 upwards.

And, from the figure, we have:

T – mg = ma >>>>> T = ma + mg = m(a + g) = 70 kg • (46.25 m/ s2 + 9.8 m/s2) =

3.923,5 N

21 .- A 50 kg block is on a horizontal surface and moves along it by the action of a rope

parallel to the surface whose other end is attached, through a frictionless pulley, to a 12
kg body that hangs freely. Knowing that the coefficient of friction is 0.2, calculate the
distance that the first body will travel 10 seconds after the movement begins.

Data: m1 = 50 kg m2 = 12 kg μ = 0.2 t = 10 s
vi = 0 m/sd = ?

T – f = m1a >>> T – μN = m1a

(1) T - μm1g = m1a

In the m2 body: (2) m2g – T = m2a

In body m1: N = m1g

If we add (1) with (2), we have:

– μm1g = m1a + m2a >>>>> a = g(m2 –

m2g
μm1) / (m1 + m2)

a = 9.8 m/s2 • (12 kg – 0.2 • 50 kg) / (50 kg + 12 kg) = 0.316 m/s2

Now, with d = vit + a t2/2, we have

d = 0 m/s • 10 s + 0.316 m/s2 • (10 s)2 / 2 = 15.8 m

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