PHYSICS CHAPTER 4

1
CHAPTER 4:
FORCES
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
4. FORCES
4.1 Basic of Forces and Free Body Diagram
4.2 Newtons Laws of Motion
2
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
3
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Identify the forces acting on a body in different situations.
Weight
Tension
Normal force
Friction
Determine weight, static friction and kinetic friction
Draw free body diagram
Determine the resultant force
Learning Outcome:
4.1 Basic of Forces and Free Body Diagram
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
4.1 Basic of Forces and Free Body Diagram
Weight,
is defined as the force exerted on a body under gravitational
field.
It is a vector quantity.
It is dependant on where it is measured, because the value of g
varies at different localities on the earths surface.
It always directed toward the centre of the earth or in the same
direction of acceleration due to gravity, g.
The S.I. unit is kg m s
-2
or Newton (N).
Equation:
g m W

=
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
5
Tension, T
The tension force is the force that is transmitted through a
string, rope, cable or wire when it is pulled tight by forces
acting from opposite ends. The tension force is directed
along the length of the wire and pulls equally on the objects
on the opposite ends of the wire.
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
Figure 4.1
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
66
Normal (reaction) force,
is defined as a reaction force that exerted by the surface to
an object interact with it and the direction always
perpendicular to the surface.
An object lies at rest on a flat horizontal surface as shown in
Figure 4.2.
R or N

N
g m W

=

= = 0 mg N F
y
mg N =
Therefore
Figure 4.2
Action: weight of an object is exerted on the
horizontal surface
Reaction: surface is exerted a force, N on the
object
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
A free body diagram is defined as a diagram
showing the chosen body by itself, with vectors
drawn to show the magnitude and directions of all
the forces applied to the body by the other bodies
that interact with it.
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
7
Friction
is defined as a force that resists the motion of one surface
relative to another with which it is in contact.
is independent of the area of contact between the two surfaces..
is directly proportional to the reaction force.
OR
Coefficient of friction,
is defined as the ratio between frictional force to reaction
force.
OR
is dimensionless and depends on the nature of the surfaces.
N f
N f =
force frictional : f
friction of t coefficien :
force reaction : N
where
N
f
=
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
8
There are three types of frictional force :
Static, f
s
(frictional force act on the object before its move)
Kinetic, f
k
(frictional force act on the object when its move)
Rolling, f
r
(frictional force act on the object when its rolling)
Caution:
The direction of the frictional force exerted by a surface
on an object is always in the opposite direction of the
motion.
The frictional and the reaction forces are always
perpendicular.
N f
k k
=
N f
s s
=
N f
r r
=
s k r
f f f < < where
thus
s k r
< <
Can be ignored
Simulation 4.1
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
Example 4.1:
A mass is resting on a flat surface which has a normal force of
98N, with a coefficient of static friction of 0.35. What force
would it take to move the object?
9
Solution: N = 98N,
s
= 0.35
N f
s s
=
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
10
Example 4.2:
A 15 kg piece of wood is placed on top of another piece of
wood. There is 35N of static friction measured between them.
Determine the coefficient of static friction between the two
pieces of wood.
Solution: N = mg = 15(9.81) = 147.15 N, F
s
= 35 N
N
f
s
s
=
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
Example 4.3
A dock worker loading crates on a ship finds that a 15 kg crate,
initially at rest on a horizontal surface, requires a 50 N
horizontal force to set it in motion. However, after the crate is in
motion, a horizontal force of 30 N is required to keep it moving
with a constant speed. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 ms
-2
.
Find the coefficient of kinetic friction.
11
Solution:
Mass of crate = m = 15 kg
Force required to set the crate in motion = F
1
= 50 N
Force required to keep the crate in moving at constant speed =
f
k
= 30 N
Acceleration of gravity = g = 9.81 ms
-2
Normal force, N = mg = =
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
12
Solution:
From
N
f
k
k
=
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
Resultant force
Is defined as a single force that represents the combined
effect of two or more forces
13 13
The figure above shows three forces F
1
, F
2
and F
3
acted on a
particle O. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the
resultant force on particle O.
Example 4.4:
y
30
o
O
) N 30 (
2
F

) N 10 (
1
F

30
o
x
) N 40 (
3
F

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
14
30
o
Solution :
O
y
x
3
F

30
o
y 3
F

+ + = =
3 2 1
F F F F F
r


+ =
y x r
F F F

x x x x
F F F F
3 2 1

+ + =

y y y y
F F F F
3 2 1

+ + =

x
F
2

1
F

2
F

60
o
y
F
2

x 3
F

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
15
Vector x-component y-component
1
F

3
F

2
F

N 0
1
=
x
F
1 1
F F
y
=
N 0 1
1
=
y
F

60 cos 30
2
=
x
F
N 15
2
=
x
F

60 sin 30
2
=
y
F
N 6 2
2
=
y
F

30 cos 40
3
=
x
F
N 34.6
3
=
x
F

30 sin 40
3
=
y
F
N 20
3
=
y
F
Vector
sum
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
16
y
x
O
Solution :
The magnitude of the resultant force is
and
Its direction is 162 from positive x-axis OR 18 above negative x-
axis.
( ) ( )
2 2

+ =
y x r
F F F
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

x
y
F
F

1
tan
y
F

x
F

162
r
F

18
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
17
1. Given three vectors P, Q and R as shown in Figure 4.3.
Calculate the resultant vector of P, Q and R.
ANS. : 49.4 m s
2
; 70.1 above + x-axis
Exercise 4.1:
Figure 4.3
y
x
0
50
( )
2
s m 10

R

( )
2
s m 35

P

( )
2
s m 24

Q

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
18
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
State Newtons First Law
Define mass as a measure of inertia.
Define the equilibrium of a particle.
Apply Newtons First Law in equilibrium of forces
State and apply Newtons Second Law
State and apply Newtons Third Law.
Learning Outcome:
4.2 Newtons laws of motion
( )
|
.
|

\
|
+ = = =
t d
v d
m
t d
m d
v mv
t d
d
t d
dp
F
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
19
4.2 Newtons laws of motion
4.2.1 Newtons first law of motion
states an object at rest will remain at rest, or continues to
move with uniform velocity in a straight line unless it is
acted upon by a external forces
OR
The first law gives the idea of inertia.

= = 0 F F
nett

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
20
4.2.2 Inertia
Inertia
is defined as the tendency of an object to resist any change
in its state of rest or motion.
is a scalar quantity.
Mass, m
is defined as a measure of a bodys inertia.
is a scalar quantity.
The S.I. unit of mass is kilogram (kg).
The value of mass is independent of location.
If the mass of a body increases then its inertia will increase.
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
21
Figures 4.4a and 4.4b show the examples of real experience of
inertia.
Figure 4.4
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
22
4.2.3 Equilibrium of a particle
is defined as the vector sum of all forces acting on a particle
(point) must be zero.
The equilibrium of a particle ensures the body in translational
equilibriumand its condition is given by
This is equivalent to the three independent scalar equations
along the direction of the coordinate axes,
There are two types of equilibrium of a particle. It is
Static equilibrium (v=0)body remains at rest (stationary).
Dynamic equilibrium (a=0)body moving at a uniform
(constant) velocity.

= = 0
nett
F F

Newtons first
law of motion

= = = 0 , 0 , 0
z y x
F F F
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
23
Problem solving strategies for equilibrium of a
particle
The following procedure is recommended when dealing with
problems involving the equilibrium of a particle:
Sketch a simple diagram of the system to help
conceptualize the problem.
Sketch a separate free body diagram for each body.
Choose a convenient coordinate axes for each body and
construct a table to resolve the forces into their
components.
Apply the condition for equilibrium of a particle in
component form :
Solve the component equations for the unknowns.

= 0
x
F

= 0
y
F and
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
24 24
A load of 250 kg is hung by a cranes cable. The load is pulled by a
horizontal force such that the cable makes a 30 angle to the
vertical plane. If the load is in the equilibrium, calculate
a. the magnitude of the tension in the cable,
b. the magnitude of the horizontal force. (Given g =9.81 m s
2
)
Solution :
Example 4.5:

30
F

Free body diagram of the load :

y
T

30

60
x
T
kg 250 = m
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
25
Solution :
1
st
method :
a.
Since the load is in the equilibrium, then
Thus
b. By substituting eq. (2) into eq. (1), therefore

= 0
x
F 0 60 cos =

T F
kg 250 = m
Force x-component (N) y-component (N)
g m

0
( )( ) 9.81 250 = mg
F

F
0
T

60 cos T

60 sin T
2453 =

= 0 F

(1)
(2)

= 0
y
F
0 2453 60 sin =

T
( ) 0 60 cos 2833 =

F
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
26

30
Solution :
2
nd
method :
a. Since the load is in the equilibrium, then a closed triangle of
forces can be sketched as shown below.
b.

30 sin =
T
F
kg 250 = m

30 cos =
T
mg

30 sin
2833
=
F
F

g m

From the closed triangle of forces, hence

30.0

55.0

45.0
A
Figure 4.5
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
28
Solution :
To find a force to balance the three forces means the system must
be in equilibrium hence
N 30 N; 20 N; 12 = = =
3 2 1
F F F
Force x-component (N) y-component (N)
1
F

55.0 cos 12
F

x
F
y
F
6.88 =

55.0 sin 12
9.83 =
2
F

30.0 cos 20
17.3 =

30.0 sin 20
10.0 =
3
F

45.0 cos 30
21.2 =

45.0 sin 30
21.2 =
0

=
x
F
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
29
Solution :
The magnitude of the force,
and its direction,
0

=
y
F
0 21.2 10.0 9.83 = + +
y
F
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2
y
2
x
F F F 1.37 31.6 + = + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

x
y
1
F
F
tan
|
.
|

\
|
=

31.6
1.37
tan
1

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
30
30
A window washer pushes his scrub brush up a vertical window at
constant speed by applying a force F as shown in Figure 4.6.
The brush weighs 10.0 N and the coefficient of kinetic friction is

k
= 0.125. Calculate
a. the magnitude of the force F ,
b. the normal force exerted by the window on the brush.
Example 4.7:
F

50.0
Figure 4.6
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
31
Solution :
a. The free body diagram of the brush :
The brush moves up at constant speed (a=0) so that
Thus
0.125 ; N 10.0 = =
k
W
W

k
f

constant
speed
Force x-component (N) y-component (N)
F

50.0 cos F
k
f

0
N
k

50.0 sin F
W

0 10.0
N

N
0
N 0.125 =

= = 0 a m F

50.0 cos F N = 0

=
x
F
(1)
(2)
10.0 0.125 50.0 sin = N F

0

=
y
F

50.0
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
32
Solution :
a. By substituting eq. (1) into eq. (2), thus
b. Therefore the normal force exerted by the window on the brush
is given by
( ) 10.0 50.0 cos 0.125 50.0 sin =

F F

50.0 cos F N =
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
33
Exercise 4.2:
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s
2
1.
The system in Figure 5.8 is in equilibrium, with the string at the
centre exactly horizontal. Calculate
a. the tensions T
1
, T
2
and T
3
.
b. the angle u.
ANS. : 49 N, 28 N, 57 N; 29
Figure 4.7
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
34
Exercise 4.2:
2.
A 20 kg ball is supported from the ceiling by a rope A. Rope B
pulls downward and to the side on the ball. If the angle of A to
the vertical is 20 and if B makes an angle of 50 to the vertical
as shown in Figure 4.8, Determine the tension in ropes A and B.
ANS. : 134 N; 300 N
Figure 4.8
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
35
Exercise 4.2:
3.
A block of mass 3.00 kg is pushed up against a wall by a force
P that makes a 50.0 angle with the horizontal as show in
Figure 4.9. The coefficient of static friction between the block
and the wall is 0.250. Determine the possible values for the
magnitude of P that allow the block to remain stationary.
ANS. : 31.8 N; 48.6 N
Figure 4.9
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
36
Newtons second law of motion
states the rate of change of linear momentum of a moving
body is proportional to the resultant force and is in the
same direction as the force acting on it
OR
its can be represented by
dt
p d
F

where
momentum linear in change : p d

interval time : dt
force resultant :

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
37
From the Newtons 2
nd
law of motion, it also can be written as
Case 1:
Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity but with
changing mass. For example : Rocket

dt
v d
m
dt
dm
v F

+ =

dt
p d
F

( )

dt
v m d
F

dt
v d
m
dt
dm
v F

+ =

mv p =
an
d
0
dt
v d
=

dt
dm
v F

and
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
38
Case 2:
Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity and constant
mass.
Thus
dt
v d
m
dt
dm
v F

+ =

Newtons 1
st
law of motion
0 = =

dt
p d
F

constant = p

0
dt
dm
= 0
dt
v d
=

0 F =

where and
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
39
Case 3:
Object with constant mass but changing velocity.
The direction of the resultant force always in the same
direction of the motion or acceleration.
dt
v d
m
dt
dm
v F

+ =

0
dt
dm
= an
d
a m F

dt
v d
m F

dt
v d
a

= and
where
object an of mass : m
on accelerati : a
force resultant :

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
40
Newtons 2
nd
law of motion restates that The acceleration of
an object is directly proportional to the nett force acting on
it and inversely proportional to its mass.
OR
One newton(1 N) is defined as the amount of nett force that
gives an acceleration of one metre per second squared to a
body with a mass of one kilogramme.
OR 1 N = 1 kg m s
-2
Notes:
is a nett force or effective force or resultant force.
The force which causes the motion of an object.
If the forces act on an object and the object moving at
uniform acceleration (not at rest or not in the
equilibrium) hence
a m F F
nett


= =

m
F
a

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
41
Newtons third law of motion
states every action force has a reaction force that is equal
in magnitude but opposite in direction.
For example :
When the student push on the wall it will push back with the
same force. (refer to Figure 4.10)
BA AB
F F

=
A (hand)
B (wall)
BA
F

AB
F

Figure 4.10
is a force by the hand on the wall (action) Where
is a force by the wall on the hand (reaction)
BA
F

AB
F

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
42
When a book is placed on the table. (refer to Figure 4.11)
If a car is accelerating forward, it is because its tyres are
pushing backward on the road and the road is pushing
forward on the tyres.
A rocket moves forward as a result of the push exerted on it
by the exhaust gases which the rocket has pushed out.
In all cases when two bodies interact, the action and reaction
forces act on different bodies.
Figure 4.11
Force by the book on the table (action)
Force by the table on the book (reaction)
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
43
Applications of Newtons 2
nd
law of motion
From the Newtons second law of motion, we arrived at equation
There are five steps in applying the equation above to solve
problems in mechanics:
Identify the object whose motion is considered.
Determine the forces exerted on the object.
Draw a free body diagram for each object.
is defined as a diagram showing the chosen body by
itself, with vectors drawn to show the magnitude and
directions of all the forces applied to the body by the
other bodies that interact with it.
Choose a system of coordinates so that calculations may be
simplified.
Apply the equation above,
Along x-axis:
Along y-axis:

= = ma F F
nett
x
x
ma F

=
y y
ma F
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
44
Three wooden blocks connected by a rope of negligible mass are
being dragged by a horizontal force, F in Figure 4.12.
Suppose that F = 1000 N, m
1
= 3 kg, m
2
= 15 kg and m
3
= 30 kg.
Determine
a. the acceleration of blocks system.
b. the tension of the rope, T
1
and T
2
.
Neglect the friction between the floor and the wooden blocks.
Example 4.8:
Figure 4.12
1
T

m
1
m
2
m
3
2
T

w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
45
Solution :
a. For the block, m
1
= 3 kg
For the block, m
2
= 15 kg
For the block, m
3
= 30 kg
a

= = a m T F F
1 1 x
(1)

= = a m T T F
2 2 1 x
(2)
1
T

m
1
m
2
m
3
2
T

= = a T F
1 x
3 1000
1
T

= = a T T F
2 1 x
15
2
T

= = a m T F
3 2 x
(3)
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
46
Solution :
a. By substituting eq. (3) into eq. (2) thus
Eq. (1)(4) :
b. By substituting the value of acceleration into equations (4) and
(3), therefore
0 45 = a T
1
(4)
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
47
Two objects of masses m
1
= 10 kg and m
2
= 15 kg are connected
by a light string which passes over a smooth pulley as shown in
Figure 4.13. Calculate
a. the acceleration of the object of mass 10 kg.
b. the tension in the each string.
(Given g = 9.81 m s
2
)
Solution :
a. For the object m
1
= 10 kg,
Example 4.9:
Figure 4.13
m
1
m
2
1
T

g m W
1 1

= = a m g m T F
1 1 1 y
(1) a g T 10 10 =
a

where T T T
2 1
= =
Simulation 4.2
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
48
Solution :
a. For the object m
2
= 15 kg,
Eq. (1) + (2) :
b. Substitute the value of acceleration into equation (1) thus
Therefore
2
T

g m W
2 2

= = a m T g m F
2 2 2 y
(2) a g T 15 15 = +
a

= = a T g F
y
15 15
( ) ( ) 1.96 10 9.81 10 = T
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
49
Two blocks, A of mass 10 kg and B of mass 30 kg, are side by side
and in contact with each another. They are pushed along a smooth
floor under the action of a constant force F of magnitude 200 N
applied to A as shown in Figure 4.14. Determine
a. the acceleration of the blocks,
b. the force exerted by A on B.
Solution :
a. Let the acceleration of the blocks is a. Therefore
Example 4.10:
( )

+ = a m m F
B A x
N 200 kg; 30 kg; 10 = = = F m m
B A
Figure 4.14
A
B
F

( )a m m F
B A
+ =
Simulation 4.3
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
50
Solution :
b. For the object A,
From the Newtons 3
rd
law, thus
OR
For the object B,

= = a m F F F
A BA x
( ) 5.0 10 200 =
BA
F
F

BA
F

A
B
AB
F

= = a m F F
B AB x
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
51
1. A block is dragged by forces, F
1
and F
2
of the magnitude
20 N and 30 N respectively as shown in Figure 4.15. The
frictional force f exerted on the block is 5 N. If the weight of
the block is 200 N and it is move horizontally, determine the
acceleration of the block.
(Given g = 9.81 m s
2
)
ANS. : 1.77 m s
2
Exercise 4.3:

50
a

1
F

2
F

20
Figure 4.15
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
52
2. One 3.5 kg paint bucket is hanging by a massless cord from
another 3.5 kg paint bucket, also hanging by a massless cord
as shown in Figure 4.16. If the two buckets are pulled upward
with an acceleration of 1.60 m s
2
by the upper cord, calculate
the tension in each cord.
(Given g = 9.81 m s
2
)
ANS. : 39.9 N; 79.8 N
Exercise 4.3:
Figure 4.16
w
w
w
.
k
m
s
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 4
53
THE END
Next Chapter
CHAPTER 5 :
Work, Energy and Power
w
w
w
.
k
m
p
h
.
m
a
t
r
i
k
.
e
d
u
.
m
y
/
p
h
y
s
i
c
s