Sample problem based on Newton’s first law

Problem 1. When a bus suddenly takes a turn, the passengers are thrown outwards because of
[AFMC 1999; CPMT 2000, 2001]
(a) Inertia of motion (b) Acceleration of motion
(c) Speed of motion (d) Both (b) and (c)
Solution : (a)
Problem 2. A person sitting in an open car moving at constant velocity throws a ball vertically up into air.
The ball fall
[EAMCET (Med.) 1995]
(a) Outside the car (b) In the car ahead of the person
(c) In the car to the side of the person (d) Exactly in the hand which threw it
up
Solution : (d) Because the horizontal component of velocity are same for both car and ball so they cover
equal horizontal distances in given time interval.

Sample problem based on Newton’s second law

Problem 3. A train is moving with velocity 20 m/sec. on this, dust is falling at the rate of 50 kg/min. The
extra force required to move this train with constant velocity will be
[RPET 1999]
(a) 16.66 N (b) 1000 N (c) 166.6 N (d) 1200 N
dm 50
Solution : (a) Force F = v = 20  = 16 .66 N
dt 60

Problem 4. A force of 10 Newton acts on a body of mass 20 kg for 10 seconds. Change in its momentum is
[MP PET 2002]
(a) 5 kg m/s (b) 100 kg m/s (c) 200 kg m/s (d) 1000 kg
m/s
Solution : (b) Change in momentum = force  time = 10  10 = 100 kg m / sec

1
Problem 5. A vehicle of 100 kg is moving with a velocity of 5 m/sec. To stop it in sec, the required force
10
in opposite direction is [MP
PET 1995]
(a) 5000 N (b) 500 N (c) 50 N (d) 1000 N
Solution : (a) m = 100 kg u = 5 m / s, v = 0 t = 0.1 sec
mdv m (v − u) 100 (0 − 5 )
Force = = =
dt t 0 .1
F = −5000 N
 Sample problem based on force and equilibrium

Problem 6. Three forces starts acting simultaneously on a particle moving with velocity v . These forces
are represented in magnitude and direction by the three sides of a triangle ABC (as shown).
The particle will now move with velocity
[AIEEE 2003] C

(a) v remaining unchanged

(b) Less than v

(c) Greater than v

A B
(d) v in the direction of the largest force BC
Solution : (a) Given three forces are in equilibrium i.e. net force will be zero. It means the particle will move
with same velocity.
Problem 7. Two forces are such that the sum of their magnitudes is 18 N and their resultant is
perpendicular to the smaller force and magnitude of resultant is 12. Then the magnitudes of
the forces are [AIEEE 2002]
(a) 12 N, 6 N (b) 13 N, 5N (c) 10 N, 8 N (d) 16 N, 2
N
Solution : (b) Let two forces are F1 and F2 (F1  F2 ) .
According to problem: F1 + F2 = 18 …..(i)
Angle between F1 and resultant (R) is 90°
R =12
F2 sin F2
 tan 90 = =
F1 + F2 cos

 F1 + F2 cos = 0

F1 F1
 cos = − …..(ii)
F2

and R 2 = F12 + F22 + 2 F1 F2 cos 

144 = F12 + F22 + 2 F1 F2 cos …..(iii)

by solving (i), (ii) and (iii) we get F1 = 5 N and F2 = 13 N

Problem 8. The resultant of two forces, one double the other in magnitude, is perpendicular to the smaller
of the two forces. The angle between the two forces is [KCET (Engg./Med.) 2002]

(a) 60 o (b) 120 o (c) 150 o (d) 90 o

Solution: (b) Let forces are F and 2F and angle between them is  and resultant makes an angle  with the
force F.
2 F sin 
tan  = = tan 90 = 
F + 2 F cos 

 F + 2 F cos = 0  cos = −1 / 2 or  = 120 

Problem 9. A weightless ladder, 20 ft long rests against a frictionless wall at an angle of 60 o with the
horizontal. A 150 pound man is 4 ft from the top of the ladder. A horizontal force is needed to
prevent it from slipping. Choose the correct magnitude from the following
[CBSE PMT 1998]

(a) 175 lb (b) 100 lb (c) 70 lb (d) 150 lb

Solution: (c) Since the system is in equilibrium therefore F x = 0 and F y = 0  F = R 2 and W = R1

Now by taking the moment of forces about point B.

F.(BC) + W.(EC) = R1 ( AC) [from the figure EC= 4 cos 60] B
R2
D 4 ft
F.(20 sin 60 ) + W (4 cos 60 ) = R1 (20 cos 60 ) Wall

10 3 F + 2W = 10 R1 As R1 = W  R1
16 ft
W

60o
8W 8  150
 F= = = 70 lb F
A E C
10 3 10 3

Problem 10. A mass M is suspended by a rope from a rigid support at P as shown in the figure. Another
rope is tied at the end Q, and it is pulled horizontally with a force F. If the rope PQ makes angle
 with the vertical then the tension in the string PQ is
P
(a) F sin 
v
(b) F / sin  

(c) F cos  Q F
T T cos
(d) F / cos  
M
Solution: (b) From the figure T sin F

For horizontal equilibrium mg

T sin  = F
F
 T=
sin 
Problem 11. A spring balance A shows a reading of 2 kg, when an aluminium block is suspended from it.
Another balance B shows a reading of 5 kg, when a beaker full of liquid is placed in its pan. The
two balances are arranged such that the Al – block is completely immersed inside the liquid
as shown in the figure. Then [IIT-JEE 1985]

(a) The reading of the balance A will be more than 2 kg

(b) The reading of the balance B will be less than 5 kg
A
(c) The reading of the balance A will be less than 2 kg. and that of B will be
more than 5 kg
(d) The reading of balance A will be 2 kg. and that of B will be 5 kg.
m
Solution: (c) Due to buoyant force on the aluminium block the reading of spring balance
A will be less than 2 kg but it increase the reading of balance B. B
Problem 12. In the following diagram, pulley P1 is movable and pulley P2 is fixed. The value of angle  will
be
P1
 P2
(a) 60o
(b) 30o W
W
(c) 45o
(d) 15o
Solution: (b) Free body diagram of pulley P1 is shown in the figure
For horizontal equilibrium T1 cos = T2 cos  T1 = T2
T1 sin
T1 T2 sin T2
and T1 = T2 = W
For vertical equilibrium  
T1 cos T2 cos
T1 sin  + T2 sin  = W  W sin  + W sin  = W
W
1
 sin  = or  = 30 
2
Problem 13. In the following figure, the pulley is massless and frictionless. The relation between T1 , T 2
and T 3 will be

(a) T1 = T2  T3 T1 T2 P2
 
(b) T1  T2 = T3 T3
W2
(c) T1  T2  T3 W1

(d) T1 = T2 = T3
Solution : (d) Since through a single string whole system is attached so W2 = T3 = T2 = T1

Problem 14. In the above problem (13), the relation between W1 and W2 will be

W1
(a) W2 = (b) 2 W1 cos  (c) W2 = W1 (d)
2 cos 
2 cos 
W2 =
W1
Solution : (a) For vertical equilibrium
T1 cos 
T1 cos + T2 cos = W1 As T1 = T 2 = W2  T1 T2 cos  T2

2W2 cos = W1  

W1
 W2 = .
2 cos  W1
Problem 15. In the following figure the masses of the blocks A and B are same and each equal to m. The
tensions in the strings OA and AB are T2 and T1 respectively. The system is in equilibrium
with a constant horizontal force mg on B. The T1 is
O

(a) mg 2
T2

(b) 2 mg m A

(c) 3 mg T1
1
B
(d) 5 mg m mg

Solution : (b) From the free body diagram of block B T1 cos 1

T1 cos 1 = mg ……(i) T1

T1 sin  1 = −mg …..(ii) 1

( )
by squaring and adding T12 sin 2  1 + cos 2  1 = 2(mg )2
T1 sin 1
B mg

 T1 = 2mg
Problem 16. In the above problem (15), the angle  1 is mg

(a) 30o (b) 45o (c) 60o (d)

1
tan −1  
2
Solution : (b) From the solution (15) by dividing equation(ii) by equation (i)
T1 sin  1 mg
=
T1 cos 1 mg

 tan  = 1 or  1 = 45 

Problem 17. In the above problem (15) the tension T2 will be

(a) mg (b) 2 mg (c) 3 mg (d) 5 mg

Solution : (d) From the free body diagram of block A
For vertical equilibrium T2 cos 2 = mg + T1 cos1
T2 cos 2
T2 cos 2 = mg + 2mg cos 45 
T2
T2 cos 2 = 2mg …..(i)
2

For horizontal equilibrium T2 sin  2 = T1 sin  1 = 2mg sin 45  A

T2 sin 2 T1 sin 1
T2 sin  2 = mg …..(ii) 1
mg
T1
by squaring and adding (i) and (ii) equilibrium
T1 cos 1
T22 = 5(mg )2 or T2 = 5 mg

Problem 18, In the above problem (15) the angle  2 will be

 (a) 30o (b) 45o (c) 60o (d)
1
tan −1  
2
Solution : (d) From the solution (17) by dividing equation(ii) by equation (i)
sin  2 mg 1 1 
=  tan  2 =   2 = tan −1  
cos 2 2mg 2 2
Problem 19. A man of mass m stands on a crate of mass M. He pulls on a light rope passing over a smooth
light pulley. The other end of the rope is attached to the crate. For the system to be in
equilibrium, the force exerted by the men on the rope will be
(a) (M + m)g
1
(b) (M + m ) g
2 M
(c) Mg m
(d) mg
Solution : (b) From the free body diagram of man and crate system:
For vertical equilibrium T T

2T = (M + m)g
(M + m )g
T =
2

(M + m)g

Problem 20. Two forces, with equal magnitude F, act on a body and the magnitude of the resultant force is
F
. The angle between the two forces is
3
 17   1 2
(a) cos −1  −  (b) cos −1  −  (c) cos −1   (d)
 18   3 3
8
cos −1  
9
Solution : (a) Resultant of two vectors A and B, which are working at an angle  , can be given by
F
R = A 2 + B 2 + 2 AB cos [As A = B = F and R = ]
3
2
F
  = F + F + 2 F cos 
2 2 2
3
F2 −17 2  − 17  − 1  − 17 
= 2 F 2 + 2 F 2 cos  F = 2 F 2 cos  cos =   or  = cos  
9 9  18   18 
Problem 21. A cricket ball of mass 150 gm is moving with a velocity of 12 m/s and is hit by a bat so that the
ball is turned back with a velocity of 20 m/s. The force of blow acts for 0.01s on the ball. The
average force exerted by the bat on the ball is
(a) 480 N (b) 600 N (c) 500 N (d) 400 N
Solution : (a) v1 = −12 m / s and v 2 = +20 m / s [because direction is reversed]
m = 150 gm = 0.15 kg , t = 0.01 sec
 m[v 2 − v1 ] 0.15[20 − (−12)]
Force exerted by the bat on the ball F = = = 480 Newton
t 0.01

Sample problem based on Newton’s third law

Problem 22. You are on a frictionless horizontal plane. How can you get off if no horizontal force is exerted
by pushing against the surface
(a) By jumping (b) By splitting or sneezing
(c) By rolling your body on the surface (d) By running on the plane
Solution : (b) By doing so we can get push in backward direction in accordance with Newton’s third law of
motion.

Sample problem based on Impulse

Problem 23. A ball of mass 150g moving with an acceleration 20 m / s 2 is hit by a force, which acts on it for
0.1 sec. The impulsive force is
[AFMC 1999]
(a) 0.5 N-s (b) 0.1 N-s (c) 0.3 N-s (d) 1.2 N-s
Solution : (c) Impulsive force = force time = m a  t = 0.15  20  0.1 = 0.3 N-s

Problem 24. A force of 50 dynes is acted on a body of mass 5 g which is at rest for an interval of 3 seconds,
then impulse is
[AFMC 1998]
−3 −3 −3
(a) 0.15  10 N-s (b) 0.98  10 N-s (c) 1.5  10 N-s (d)
−3
2.5  10 N-s
Solution : (c) Impulse = force  time = 50  10 −5  3 = 1.5  10 −3 N - s

Problem 25. The force-time (F – t) curve of a particle executing linear motion is as shown in the figure. The
momentum acquired by the particle in time interval from zero to 8 second will be
[CPMT 1989]

(a) – 2 N-s +2
Force (N)

2 4 6 8
(b) + 4 N-s
(c) 6 N-s –2 Time (s)

(d) Zero
Solution : (d) Momentum acquired by the particle is numerically equal to the area enclosed between the F-
t curve and time Axis. For the given diagram area in a upper half is positive and in lower half
is negative (and equal to the upper half). So net area is zero. Hence the momentum acquired
by the particle will be zero.
 Sample Problem based on conservation of momentum

Problem 26. A wagon weighing 1000 kg is moving with a velocity 50 km/h on smooth horizontal rails. A
mass of 250 kg is dropped into it. The velocity with which it moves now is
[MP PMT 1994]
(a) 12.5 km/hour (b) 20 km/hour (c) 40 km/hour (d) 50
km/hour
Solution : (c) Initially the wagon of mass 1000 kg is moving with velocity of 50 km/h
kg  km
So its momentum = 1000  50
h
When a mass 250kg is dropped into it. New mass of the system = 1000 + 250 = 1250 kg
Let v is the velocity of the system.
By the conservation of linear momentum : Initial momentum = Final momentum 
1000  50 = 1250  v
50 ,000
 v= = 40 km / h.
1250
Problem 27. The kinetic energy of two masses m1 and m2 are equal their ratio of linear momentum will be
[RPET 1988]

(a) m1/m2 (b) m2/m1 (c) m1 / m 2 (d)

m 2 / m1

Solution : (c) Relation between linear momentum (P), man (m) and kinetic energy (E)
P1 m1
P= 2mE  P m [as E is constant]  =
P2 m2

Problem 28. Which of the following has the maximum momentum

(a) A 100 kg vehicle moving at 0.02 ms–1 (b) A 4 g weight moving at 10000 cms–1
(c) A 200 g weight moving with kinetic energy 10–6 J (d) A 20 g weight after falling 1
kilometre
Solution : (d) Momentum of body for given options are :
(a) P = mv = 100  0.02 = 2kgm / sec

(b) P = mv = 4  10 −3  100 = 0 .4 kgm / sec

(c) P = 2mE = 2  0.2  10 −6 = 6.3  10 −4 kgm / sec

(d) P = m 2 gh = 20  10 −3  2  10  10 3 = 2.82 kgm / sec

So for option (d) momentum is maximum.
Problem 29. A rocket with a lift-off mass 3.5  10 4 kg is blasted upwards with an initial acceleration of
10 m / s 2 . Then the initial thrust of the blast is
[AIEEE 2003]

(a) 1.75  10 N 5
(b) 3.5  10 5 N (c) 7 .0  10 5 N (d)
14 .0  10 5 N
Solution : (c) Initial thrust on the rocket F = m(g + a) = 3 .5  10 4 (10 + 10 ) = 7.0  10 5 N
Problem 30. In a rocket of mass 1000 kg fuel is consumed at a rate of 40 kg/s. The velocity of the gases
ejected from the rocket is 5  10 4 m / s . The thrust on the rocket is
[MP PMT 1994]

(a) 2  10 N
3
(b) 5  10 4 N (c) 2  10 6 N (d)
2  10 9 N
udm
Solution : (c) Thrust on the rocket F = = 5  10 4 (40 ) = 2  10 6 N
dt
Problem 31. If the force on a rocket moving with a velocity of 300 m/s is 210 N, then the rate of combustion
of the fuel is
[CBSE PMT 1999]
(a) 0.7 kg/s (b) 1.4 kg/s (c) 0.07 kg/s (d) 10.7
kg/s
udm  dm  F 210
Solution : (a) Force on the rocket =  Rate of combustion of fuel  = = = 0 . 7 kg / s.
dt  dt  u 300

Problem 32. A rocket has a mass of 100 kg. 90% of this is fuel. It ejects fuel vapours at the rate of 1 kg/sec
with a velocity of 500 m/sec relative to the rocket. It is supposed that the rocket is outside the
gravitational field. The initial upthrust on the rocket when it just starts moving upwards is
[NCERT 1978]
(a) Zero (b) 500 N (c) 1000 N (d) 2000 N
 dm 
Solution : (b) Up thrust force F = u   = 500  1 = 500 N
 dt 