Chapter 5 Force and Motion - I

So far, we have seen “motion” – displacement, velocity, acceleration, point

(particle).

- What causes the motion? (Answer) Force!

- Newtonian mechanics  Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

◼ Study of the relation between a force and the acceleration it causes

- Cf. Einstein’s special theory of relativity

(Note) We will deal with vectors, not just scalars! Why?

Newton’s First Law

Suppose we send a puck sliding over (1) a wooden floor, (2) the ice of a skating
rink, and (3) a frictionless surface. … ➔ A body will keep moving with constant
velocity if no force acts on it.

{Newton’s First Law}

If no force acts on a body, the body’s velocity cannot change, i.e. the body
cannot accelerate.

(Remark)

What happens if the body is at rest with no force acting on it?

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Unit of Force

- Consider a 1-kg body on a frictionless horizontal surface. Then, we apply

a force that causes an acceleration of 1 m/s 2 .

- 1 newton (N) is defined as a force that causes 𝟏 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐 to a 1-kg body.

- What happens if we apply 2 N? Then, the acceleration will be 2 m/s 2 . ➔

The acceleration is proportional to the force.

- If we apply 𝑥 N to a 1-kg body, then the resulting acceleration will be

𝑥 m/s 2 .

(Aside) Linearity

A system L is said to be linear, if whenever an input 𝑥1 yields an output L(𝑥1 )

and an input 𝑥2 yields an output L(𝑥2 ), we have L(𝑐1 𝑥1 + 𝑐2 𝑥2 ) = 𝑐1 L(𝑥1 ) +
𝑐2 L(𝑥2 ) for any real or complex numbers 𝑐1 and 𝑐2 .

[Explain proportionality and superposition.]

Recall that forces are vectors, i.e. they have not only magnitude but also direction.

What if we apply 𝐹⃗1 and 𝐹⃗2 to a body?

- Find the net force (also called the resultant force) by adding the two
forces, 𝐹⃗net = 𝐹⃗1 + 𝐹⃗2 . (vector addition!)

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 - Regard 𝐹⃗net is now being applied.

- If 𝐹⃗1 and 𝐹⃗2 produce the accelerations 𝑎⃗1 and 𝑎⃗2 , respectively, then
the resulting acceleration will be 𝑎⃗1 + 𝑎⃗2 . (Superposition!)

Now, let’s restate the Newton’s First Law as…

If no net force acts on a body (𝐹⃗net = 0), then the body’s velocity cannot change,
i.e. the body cannot accelerate.

(Aside) a couple

A set of (bound) vectors whose sum is zero.

(Definition) an inertial reference frame

One in which Newton’s laws hold.

[Try Checkpoint 1.]

A BIG question! ➔ What is mass?

Recall that 1 N applied to a 1 − kg body, the body accelerates at 1 m/s 2 .

- We know (by experience) that the objects with larger mass is accelerated
less.
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 - The acceleration is actually inversely related to the mass.

- Therefore, if we apply the same force to two different masses, 𝑚0 and

𝑚𝑋 𝑎0
𝑚𝑋 , then the (inverse) relationship is = .
𝑚0 𝑎𝑋

- Suppose we apply 1 N to body 𝑋 and find that it accelerates at

𝑚𝑋 1
0.25 m/s 2 . ➔ = ➔ 𝑚𝑋 = 4.0 kg.
1 0.25

(Remarks)

(1) Mass is an intrinsic characteristic of a body. ➔ It automatically comes

with the existence of the body.

(2) Mass is a scalar quantity.

What can we say about the mass?

The mass of a body is the characteristic that relates a force acting on the
body to the resulting acceleration.

Newton’s Second Law:

The net force on a body is equal to the product of the body’s mass and its
acceleration. ➔ 𝐹⃗net = 𝑚𝑎⃗

(Notes)

(1) 𝐹⃗net is the sum of all (external) forces acting on that body. [Explain
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 this taking many examples.]

(2) Since 𝐹⃗net = 𝑚𝑎⃗ is a vector equation, it means, in an 𝑥𝑦𝑧 coordinate

system, 𝐹net,𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 , 𝐹net,𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦 , and 𝐹net,𝑧 = 𝑚𝑎𝑧 .

(3) The acceleration component along a given axis is caused only by the sum
of the force components along that same axis, and not by the force
components along the other axis.

Suppose 𝐹⃗net = 𝐹⃗1 + 𝐹⃗2 + ⋯ + 𝐹⃗𝑛 = 0.

(1) 𝑎⃗ = 0 ➔ No velocity change

(2) The forces 𝐹⃗1 , 𝐹⃗2 , … , 𝐹⃗𝑛 balance one another. (균형을 이루고 있다)

(3) The forces and the body are said to be in equilibrium. (힘과 물체는

평형상태에 있다)

(4) The forces are also said to cancel one another. ➔ They do not cease to
exist, still act on the body.

m
(5) Units: 1 N = (1 kg) (1 2) = 1 kg ∙ m/s 2
s

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Free-body diagram (자유물체그림, 자유물체도)

- The only body shown in the one for which we are summing forces

- Note that we are still dealing with only particles!

- Mass ➔ point, Forces ➔ arrows

- One free-body diagram for one body

- Only external forces acting on that body

[Try Checkpoint 2.]

Sample Problem 5.01 One- and two-dimensional forces, puck

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Sample Problem 5.02 Two-dimensional forces, cookie tin

[Try this together with the students.]

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5-2 Some Particular Forces

“the most common external forces acting on a body”

The Gravitational Force 𝐹⃗𝑔

- Recall the universal force between an object and the earth.

- The earth pulls the body toward the earth center, usually directly
downward.

Consider a mass in free fall.

- Draw a free-body diagram. ➔ What forces are acting on the body?

- (Positive downward) 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎  Positive downward for 𝑎

m
- Since 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚(9.8 2), 𝑎 = 𝑔.
s

At Rest

- Draw a free-body diagram for a mass at rest.

- [Explain this situation.]

Weight

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 - The weight 𝑊 of a body is the magnitude of the net force required to
prevent the body from falling freely. ➔ What is the unit of the weight?

- Draw a free-body diagram for 𝑚.

- [Explain this situation.]

- The weight 𝑊 of a body is equal to the magnitude 𝐹𝑔 of the gravitational

force on the body. ➔ 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔

Weighing

- (Left) At rest, 𝑚𝐿 = 𝑚𝑅 , regardless of the value of 𝑔.

- (Right) We need to know the value of 𝑔 to obtain 𝑚.

- The weight must be measured when the body is not accelerating vertically.
➔ What about in an accelerating elevator?

- The weight 𝑚𝑔 is not the mass.

◼ The weight differs for different 𝑔. ➔ The weight of a ball having a

mass of 7.2 kg is 71 N on the earth, but only 12 N on the moon,
where 𝑔 = 1.6 m/s 2 .

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 ◼ The mass is an intrinsic property, i.e. not different.

The Normal Force (수직력)

- In the 𝑦 direction (positive upward), 𝐹𝑁 − 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎 (𝑎 is also positive

upward.)

- Since 𝑎 = 0 (stationary) and 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑚𝑔, 𝐹𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔.

Consider a man standing on a floor.

- Draw a free-body diagram.

- [Explain why he/she is stationary.]

(Remark) ‘Normal’ means ‘perpendicular’.

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[Try Checkpoint 3.]

Friction

Frictional force, or simply friction

- Directed along the surface, opposite the direction of the intended motion

Tension (장력)

- A cord, rope, cable, etc. attached to a body

- Assumptions

◼ Pulled taut

⃗⃗ away from the body

◼ Pulls the body with a force 𝑇

◼ Massless (or negligibly small mass), and unstretchable

- Connection between two bodies ➔ Pulls on both bodies with the same

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 force 𝑇

[Explain the pulley.]

[Try Checkpoint 4.]

[Explain MUSCLE.]

5-3 Applying Newton’s Laws

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Two bodies are said to interact (상호작용) when they push or pull on each other.

Newton’s Third Law

When two bodies interact, the forces on the bodies from each other are always
equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

- As for the book in Figure 5-10, 𝐹⃗𝐵𝐶 = −𝐹⃗𝐶𝐵 (equal in magnitude and
opposite in direction) cf. 𝐹𝐵𝐶 : force acting on the book by the crate

- These two bodies are stationary, but the third law still holds when they are
moving, or even accelerating.

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[Explain the above example, and try Checkpoint 5.]

Sample Problem 5.03 Block on table, block hanging

𝑀 = 3.3 kg, 𝑚 = 2.1 kg Find (a) the acceleration of 𝑀, (2) the acceleration of
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𝑚, and (c) the tension in the cord.

Assumptions

(1) Horizontal frictionless surface

(2) The cord and pully have negligible masses compared to the blocks
(massless).

(Key) One free-body diagram for each body under consideration

As for 𝑀

(1) The cord pulls 𝑀 to the right with a force of magnitude 𝑇.

(2) Earth pulls 𝑀 downward with a force of magnitude 𝑀𝑔.

(3) The table pushes 𝑀 upward with a force of magnitude 𝑁 (normal

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 force).

Let’s assume the direction of the acceleration positive to the right and positive
upward.

Apply the Newton’s Second law in the vertical direction. (Positive upward!)

𝑀𝑎𝑀𝑦 = 𝑁 − 𝑀𝑔 (Can you see this?)

We know 𝑎𝑀𝑦 = 0 (actually, 𝑣𝑀𝑦 = 0, Not moving in the vertical direction!).

 𝑁 = 𝑀𝑔 (What if they are different?)

Apply the Newton’s Second law in the horizontal direction. (Positive to the right!)
𝑇
𝑀𝑎𝑀𝑥 = 𝑇 (Can you see this?) ➔ 𝑎𝑀𝑥 = (1)
𝑀

As for 𝑚

(1) The cord pulls 𝑚 upward with a force of magnitude 𝑇. (Why the same?)

(2) Earth pulls 𝑚 downward with a force of magnitude 𝑚𝑔 . (Anything

else?)

Apply the Newton’s Second law in the vertical direction. (Positive downward!)
𝑇
𝑚𝑎𝑚𝑦 = 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑇 (Can you see this?) ➔ 𝑎𝑚𝑦 = 𝑔 − (2)
𝑚

(What is happening in the horizontal direction?)

We know 𝑎𝑀𝑥 = 𝑎𝑚𝑦 . (Why? Taut)

𝑇 𝑇 𝑀𝑚 (3.3)(2.1) m
From (1) and (2), =𝑔− ➔ 𝑇= 𝑔= (9.8 s2) = 13 N (3)
𝑀 𝑚 𝑀+𝑚 3.3+2.1

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[Explain the units involved.]
𝑚 m
From (1) and (3), we obtain 𝑎𝑀𝑥 = 𝑎𝑚𝑦 = 𝑔 = ⋯ = 3.8 .
𝑀+𝑚 s2

(Answer)
m
(a) 3.8 to the right
s2

m
(b) 3.8 downward
s2

(c) 13 N

(Notes)
𝑚
(1) 𝑎𝑀𝑥 = 𝑎𝑚𝑦 = 𝑔 ➔ The acceleration is always less than 𝑔 . (Can
𝑀+𝑚

you see this?) 𝑎𝑀𝑥 = 𝑎𝑚𝑦 approaches 𝑔 when 𝑀 approaches zero, i.e.
free fall.
𝑀𝑚 𝑀
(2) 𝑇 = 𝑔 ➔ 𝑇= (𝑚𝑔)
𝑀+𝑚 𝑀+𝑚

A. Correct in terms of the dimension (UNIT)

B. The tension in the cord, 𝑇, is always less than 𝑚𝑔. In other words,
less than the gravitational force acting on 𝑚. ➔ What would happen
if 𝑇 were greater than the gravitational force acting on 𝑚?

(3) What if the experiment were carried out in the interstellar space (i.e. no
gravity)?

A. No gravitational forces acting on the masses.

B. No tension in the cord.

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 C. Nothing moves. (Can you check all of these by letting 𝑔 = 0?)

(4) What if 𝑀 = 0?

(5) What if 𝑚 = 0?

Sample Problem 5.04 Cord accelerates box up a ramp

A cord pulls a box (𝑚 = 5.00 kg) up along a frictionless plane inclined at 𝜃 =

30.0°) with a force of magnitude 25.0 N. Find the acceleration of the box along
the plane.

(Key) Again, draw a free-body diagram of the box (‘still’ assuming the box is a
point mass).

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What are the external forces acting on the box? ➔ (1) gravitational force (𝑚𝑔
downward), (2) normal force (𝐹𝑁 perpendicular to the plane), (3) tension by the
cord (𝑇 upward along the plane) [Figure 5-15(b)]

Let’s choose a rectangular coordinate system. How? ➔ Many different choices

➔ For convenience, we choose the 𝑥 axis positive upward along the plane, and
the 𝑦 axis positive perpendicular to the plane.

Then, apply the Newton’s Second law in both directions.

< 𝑥 direction >

(Note) We need to compute the 𝑥 components of the forces acting on the box.

(1) 𝑇 (positive)

(2) −𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃 (Why negative?)

(3) Anything else? What about 𝑁?

𝑇 25.0
𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑇 − 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃 ➔ 𝑎𝑥 = − 𝑔 sin 𝜃 = − (9.8) sin 30° = 0.1 m/s 2 .
𝑚 5.00

[Check the units.]

< 𝑦 direction >

(Note) We need to compute the 𝑦 components of the forces acting on the box.

(1) What is the 𝑦 component of 𝑇?

(2) N (positive)

(3) −𝑚𝑔 cos 𝜃 (Why negative?)

𝑚𝑎𝑦 = 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝜃 ➔ We know 𝑎𝑦 = 0 . ➔ 𝑁 = 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝜃 =

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(5.00)(9.8) cos 30° (What is the unit?)

(Remark) What happens if we gradually decrease 𝑇?

Sample Problem 5.05 Reading a force graph

Frictionless surface

Two forces are acting on the box 𝑚, 𝐹⃗1 and 𝐹⃗2 .

- 𝐹⃗1 is indicated in the figure, inclined at 𝜃.

- 𝐹⃗2 is horizontal, and the magnitude is fixed.

Find the value of 𝑎𝑥 when 𝜃 = 180°.

(Key) Draw a free-body diagram for the box.

What are the external forces acting on the box? ➔ (1) gravitational force
(downward), (2) 𝐹⃗1 (inclined as in the figure), (3) 𝐹⃗2 (horizontal, assumed to
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the right), (4) normal force (upward, perpendicular to the surface)

[Draw the free-body diagram. Set a reference frame.]

< 𝑥 direction >

𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐹1 cos 𝜃 + 𝐹2

(Shall we do the 𝑦 axis?)

Let’s look at the figure.

We see 𝑎𝑥 = 3.0 m/s 2 when 𝜃 = 0° . ➔ (4.00)(3.0) = 𝐹1 cos 0° + 𝐹2 =

𝐹1 + 𝐹2 (1)

We see 𝑎𝑥 = 0.5 m/s 2 when 𝜃 = 90° . ➔ (4.00)(0.5) = 𝐹1 cos 90° + 𝐹2 =

𝐹2 (2)

From (1) and (2), we obtain 𝐹2 = 2.00 N and 𝐹1 = 10 N.

For 𝜃 = 180° , (4.00)𝑎𝑥 = 𝐹1 cos 180° + 𝐹2 = (10)(−1) + 2.00 . ➔ 𝑎𝑥 =

−2 .00 m/s 2 . (What is this?)

Sample Problem 5.06 Forces within an elevator cab

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𝑚 = 72.2 kg standing on a platform scale in an elevator.

Find the general solution for the scale reading.

(Key) Draw a free-body diagram for the point mass (man).

What are the external forces acting on the man? (1) gravitational force (𝑚𝑔
downward) and (2) normal force by the scale (𝐹𝑁 upward)

(Notes)

(1) The man pushes the scale downward with a force having the same
magnitude 𝐹𝑁 .

(2) The scale reading is 𝐹𝑁 .

Let the acceleration 𝑎⃗ positive upward.

𝐹𝑁 − 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎 ➔ 𝐹𝑁 = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎)

(Notes)

(1) If 𝑎 > 0, then 𝐹𝑁 > 𝑚𝑔.

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 (2) What happens if 𝑎 = 0?

(3) If 𝑎 < 0, then 𝐹𝑁 < 𝑚𝑔.

(4) What happens if 𝑎 < −𝑔, i.e. 𝑔 + 𝑎 < 0?

Sample Problem 5.07 Acceleration of block pushing on block

A constant horizontal force 𝐹⃗app of magnitude 20 N.

𝑚𝐴 = 4.0 kg, 𝑚𝐵 = 6.0 kg

Let’s draw a free-body diagram for block 𝐴, defining 𝑎⃗𝐴 positive to the right.
➔ Figure 5-18(b)

(Newton’s Second Law) 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴 = 𝐹app − 𝐹𝐴𝐵 , where 𝐹𝐴𝐵 is the force on 𝑨 by

𝑩.

Likewise, Newton’s Second Law applied to 𝐵 gives (again, assuming 𝑎⃗𝐵

positive to the right) 𝑚𝐵 𝑎𝐵 = 𝐹𝐵𝐴  Figure 5-18(c)
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We know 𝑎𝐴 = 𝑎𝐵 and 𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 𝐹𝐵𝐴 . ➔ 𝑚𝐴 𝑎𝐴 = 𝐹app − 𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 𝐹app − 𝑚𝐵 𝑎𝐵 =
𝐹app
𝐹app − 𝑚𝐵 𝑎𝐴 ➔ (𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 )𝑎𝐴 = 𝐹app ➔ 𝑎𝐴 = 𝑎𝐵 = = 2.0 m/s 2
𝑚𝐴 +𝑚𝐵

(Note) Considering that the two blocks form a rigidly connected system, we
immediately see (𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 )𝑎𝐴 = 𝐹app .

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