NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

Law of Inertia
3
explains the
phenomenon where any object in motion will
continue to move with constant magnitude,
unless a net external force acts on it.

The previous chapter introduces the language

and mathematics of kinematics to describe
motion in one, two or three dimensions. But
what causes objects to move, or why motion
occurs the way they do and similar questions
is answered in the second division of
mechanics, the dynamics. The concepts
provide the relationships of motion to the
What happens when a car abruptly comes to a full stop in
the middle of an expressway? Due to the stop the
forces that causes it. Such concepts are
speeding SUV behind could not stop in time and crashed clearly stated by Sir Isaac Newton (1642 –
into the front car. Smoke is seen and the rear of the car is 1727), summarized in his famous three laws
ripped into pieces due to the impact.
of motion. These laws became the
(Source: https://stomp.straitstimes.com)
foundation of classical mechanics (also
called Newtonian mechanics).

The laws apply only to macro objects that do not move at extremely high speeds, not as fast
as the speed of light like minute particles do such as electrons. Apart from kinematics
variables two new physical quantities will be introduced here, the force and mass, to analyse
the principles of dynamics.

3.1 Force and Interactions

Force, ⃑𝑭` is commonly termed as “a push or a pull” which

may or may not cause motion. It is a quantitative measure of
the interaction between two bodies or between a body and its
environment. It is a vector quantity, thus with magnitude and
direction.

Contact force occurs between two surfaces that are directly in contact with each other.
Common to this are shown below:

Friction and Normal force Tension force

Friction or frictional force (𝑓) is an opposing force acting parallel to the surface of contact.
Its direction is always resistive to motion.

• Kinetic friction, 𝑓𝑘 – opposing frictional force to motion when one body slides on the
surface of another body.

Chapter 3 | page 28
 fk = k (3-1)

• Static friction, 𝑓𝑠 – frictional force between surfaces in contact which are not in
relative motion.

𝑓𝑠 ≤ 𝜇𝑠𝜂 (3-2)

where: k – the coefficient of kinetic friction.

s – the coefficient of static friction.
 – normal force perpendicular to the interacting surfaces.

For most surface interfaces, the coefficient of kinetic friction is less than the coefficient of
static friction:

k < s
where:
𝜇𝑠 – the coefficient of static friction
𝜇𝑘 – the coefficient of kinetic friction
(a) (b)
𝜂 – normal force perpendicular to the
Figure 3.1: (a) Static Friction, (b)
interacting surfaces
Kinetic Friction.

Centripetal force, 𝑭𝒄 is a force “seeking the center”, without which circular motion cannot
occur and motion of object will be directed tangent to the curve. It acts to change the
direction of motion of moving object in a circle.

• In a circular motion, the direction of the acceleration vector is directed towards the
center with magnitude of:
𝑣2
𝑎𝑐 =
𝑅
and,

𝑣2
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚 (3-3)
𝑅

Normal force () is exerted on an object by any surface with which it is in contact. It is the
supporting force which is directed perpendicular to the surface area of contact.

Tension force (T) is a pulling force which is transmitted through a string, rope, cable or wire
when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. It is directed along the length of
force and pulls equally on the objects on the opposite ends of the string.

Long-range force or force at a distance is any force applied to an object by another body
that is not in direct contact with it. Some examples are weight, electrostatic force or magnetic
force.

Chapter 3 | page 29
Weight (w) is the gravitational force that the earth exerts on a body and is always
directed downward (towards the earth).

𝑤
⃑ ` = 𝑚𝑔` (3-4)

𝑔 = 9.8 𝑚/𝑠2

The SI unit for weight is Newton.

Mass (m) characterizes the inertial properties of a body (the quantity of a body). It is
measured in terms of kilogram or kg.

Group of forces can also be classified relative to their line of actions. Concurrent forces are
set of two or more forces that pass through a common point. These are forces whose lines of
action intersect at a point at the same time. The principle of equilibrium is also used to
determine the resultant force of non-parallel, non-concurrent systems of forces. Non-
concurrent, non- parallel system of forces have lines of action of forces that do not meet
at one point. Refer to the diagram below:

Concurrent forces

The SI unit of the magnitude of force is kg.m/s2 equivalent to Newton, abbreviated as, N.

Superposition of Forces

When two or more forces acts at a common point (when lines of force are extended)
at the same time, the effect on the body’s motion is the same as if a single force (the
resultant) were acting equal to the vector sum of the original forces: ∑ 𝐹⃗ = 𝑅⃑⃗ = 𝐹⃗1 + 𝐹⃗2 + 𝐹⃗3 + . . .
More generally, any number of forces applied at a point on a body have the same effect as a
single force equal to the vector sum of the forces referred to as Principle of Superposition.

Free-Body Diagram (FBD) is a diagram isolating

(a) (b)
the body from surroundings but showing all the
concurrent forces acting on only that object.

i. With the aid of FBD, forces acting on a body

can be resolve into x and y-components.
ii. For problems with several bodies involved,
FBD must be drawn separately for each body. Figure 3.2: Examples of FBD. Block on
(a) a level surface with an applied force,
and on (b) an inclined surface.

Chapter 3 | page 30
3.2 Newton’s Three Laws of Motion (Sir Isaac Newton, 1687)

1. First Law (Law of Inertia): “An object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion
will stay in motion with constant magnitude of velocity unless a NET external force acts on
it”.

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0
First Condition of 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0 (2-5)
Equilibrium
𝛴𝐹𝑧 = 0

Inertia is the tendency of a body to continue moving once set in motion.

Sample Problem

1. A traffic light weighing 100 N hangs from a vertical cable tied to other two cables that are
fastened to a support, as shown in Figure 4.4. Find the tension in each of the three cables.
Solution (Refer to the FBD of the traffic light and the cables.)
The system is at rest, then we will apply First Equilibrium Condition, Fnet=0.

Traffic light: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇3 − 𝑤 = 0, gives

𝑤 = 𝑻𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐍

Cables: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇2 cos 53.0° − 𝑇1 cos 37.0° = 0

gives 𝑻 =𝑻 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎° → (eq. 1)
𝟏 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°

Also, ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇1 sin 37.0° + 𝑇2 sin 53.0° − 𝑇3 = 0

gives
𝑻𝟏 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟑𝟕. 𝟎° + 𝑻𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑. 𝟎° − 𝑻𝟑 = 𝟎 → (eq.2)
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°
Substituting eq.1 in eq.2: (𝑻𝟐 ) 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟑𝟕. 𝟎° + 𝑻 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑. 𝟎° − 𝑻 𝟑 = 𝟎
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°

→ 𝑇 cos 53.0° tan 37.0° + 𝑇 sin 53.0° = 𝑇 → 𝑻𝟑 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐍

= 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎° 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°+𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°
2 2 3 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎° 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟑𝟕.𝟎°+𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°

𝑻𝟐 = 𝟕𝟗. 𝟖 𝐍
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟓𝟑.𝟎°
Substituting the value for T2 in eq.1: (𝟕𝟗. 𝟖 𝐍) = 𝑻 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟐 𝐍
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟑𝟕.𝟎° 𝟏

2. Second Law (Law of Acceleration):”When a net external force, F net , acts on an object of
mass of mass m, the object accelerates in the direction of 𝐹`𝑛𝑒𝑡 ”.

Chapter 3 | page 31
 𝐹`𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎` (3-6)

In component form: ⃑𝐹`𝑥 = 𝑚⃑𝑎`𝑥 , ⃑`

𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚⃑𝑎`𝑦 , ⃑𝐹`𝑧 = 𝑚⃑𝑎`𝑧 ,

SI unit: kg.m/s2 = Newton, N

Sample Problems

1. A 5.0kg block in the figure is pulled westward across a

frictionless horizontal surface by a 30.0N force applied at
63º angle above the horizontal.
a) What is the block’s acceleration?
b) What is the normal force?

Solution

a) The acceleration can be calculated as:

 F = ma
x x

− Fx = −ma
F
a = x = − F cos= − 30N cos 63
m m 5kg
m
FBD a = −2.72
s2
The negative sign indicates that the object is
moving to the left.

= may
b)
F y
There is no component of
a
along 𝑦 (𝑎𝑦 = 0).
Fy +− w = 0
F sin+− mg = 0
= mg − F sin
m
= (5kg)(9.8 2 ) − (30N )(sin 63)= 22.27N
s

Chapter 3 | page 32
2. Figure 4.6 shows block A of mass 2.25 kg that rest on a
horizontal tabletop. It is connected by a horizontal cord
passing over a light, frictionless pulley to a hanging block B
of mass 1.15 kg. Assume that the surface is frictionless.
a) What is the acceleration of the block after the system is
released?
b) What is the tension in the cord as the system is moving?
c) If there exists friction between the two surfaces, what is the minimum coefficient of
static friction between the table and block A if the system remains at rest even if they
are released from rest?

Solution (Refer to the FBD of the load of bricks and the counterweight.)

a) The system will accelerate in the direction of 𝒘𝑩, 𝑻

𝜼𝑨
then we will apply Newton’s 2nd Law, Fnet=ma.
Along the axis of motion, 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

Block A: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇 − 𝑓 = 𝑚𝐴𝑎, where 𝑓 = 0

gives 𝑻 = 𝒎𝑨𝒂 → (eq.1)
𝒇 𝑻
𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Block B: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇 − = 𝑚𝐵 (−𝑎) 𝒘𝑨 𝒘𝑩
𝑤𝐵
gives 𝑻 = 𝒘𝑩 − 𝒎𝑩𝒂 = 𝒎𝑩𝒈 − 𝒎𝑩𝒂 → eq.2)
( ) 𝟖𝐦
𝒎𝑩𝒈
Equating eqs.1 and 2: 𝒎𝑨𝒂 = 𝒎𝑩 𝒈 − 𝒂 → 𝒂= =
𝟏.𝟏𝟓𝐤𝐠 (𝟗. 𝐬𝟐 )
(𝒎𝑨+𝒎𝑩) (𝟐.𝟐𝟓𝐤𝐠+𝟏.𝟏𝟓𝐤𝐠)
𝒎𝑩

𝒂 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟏 𝐦/𝐬𝟐

b) The tension in the cord (using Eq.1) is: (2.25kg)(3.31m/s2) = 𝑻 = 𝟕. 𝟒𝟔 𝐍

or (using Eq.2): (1.15kg)(9.8m/s2) − (1.15kg)(3.31m/s2) = 𝑻 = 𝟕. 𝟒𝟔 𝐍

c) In the presence of static friction, where 𝑓𝑠 = 𝜇𝑠𝜂𝐴. Since the system does not move, we
will apply the Newton’s 1st Law.

Block A: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇 − 𝑓𝑠 = 0 gives 𝑻 = 𝒇𝒔 = 𝝁𝒔𝜼𝑨. Also, ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂𝐴 − 𝑤𝐴 = 0 gives

𝜼𝑨 = 𝒘𝑨 = 𝒎𝑨𝒈 so, 𝑻 = 𝝁𝒔𝒎𝑨𝒈 → (Eq.3)
Block B: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇 − 𝑤𝐵 = 0 gives 𝑻 = 𝒘𝑩 = 𝒎𝑩𝒈 → (Eq.4)
Equation=g Eq.3 and 4: 𝝁 𝒎 𝒈 = 𝒎 𝒈 → 𝝁 = 𝒎𝑩 = = 𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟏
𝟏.𝟏𝟓𝐤𝐠
𝒔 𝑨 𝑩 𝒔 𝟐.𝟐𝟓𝐤𝐠 𝒔
𝒎𝑨

3. A crate of mass 10 kg is released from rest on a frictionless plane inclined 30˚ from the
horizontal. The distance from the front edge of the crate to the bottom of the plane is 5.0
m.
a) Determine the acceleration of the crate after it is released from rest.
b) How long does it take for the crate to reach the bottom?
c) What is its speed just as it gets there?

FBD
Chapter 3 | page 33
Solution

a) ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥

∑𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂 − 𝑚𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0

𝑎𝑥 = 𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = (9.8 𝑚⁄𝑠2) (sin 30°) = 𝑎𝑥 = 4.9 𝑚⁄𝑠2

1
b) 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑥𝑡 2

1
𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜 = 2 𝑎𝑥𝑡 2

2(𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜) 2(5𝑚)

𝑡=√ =√ = 1.43 𝑠
𝑎𝑥 4.9 𝑚⁄𝑠2

c) 𝑣2 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥2 + 2𝑎𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜) = 2𝑎𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜)

= √2𝑎𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜) = √2 (4.9 𝑚⁄𝑠2) (5 𝑚) = 7.0 𝑚/𝑠

4. A small object with mass m is suspended from a length of 1 m. The object revolves with
constant speed 𝑣 in a horizontal circle of radius r, as shown in the figure. Find an
expression for 𝑣.

Solution

Free-Body Diagram (FBD) From Newton’s first law:

𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠 Vertical: ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑊 = 0

𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔 (eq. 1)

𝑤
Horizontal: ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥

𝑣2
𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝑎𝑐 = 𝑚 (eq. 2)
𝑟

Equating the two equations A and B, we can obtain the velocity 𝑣 = √𝑟𝑔𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃.

From the figure, we can find 𝑟 = 𝐿𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. Hence, 𝑣 = √𝑔𝐿𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃.

From the result, the speed v is independent of the mass m of the object.

3. Newton’s Third Law (Law of Interaction): “For every action

there is always an equal and opposite reaction.”

61

Chapter 3 | page 34
 • If object 1 exerts a force on object 2, 𝐹`12 , (the action) body 2 will in turn
exert a force on 1, 𝐹`21 , equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

Banked Curves

Banked Curves are curved roadbeds tilted inward, i.e. outer surface is elevated so surface of
the road is inclined.

• On a level (horizontal) surface road, 𝐹𝑐 is furnished by 𝑓𝑠, between the tires and the
road.
The maximum speed any vehicle can navigate through the curve is given by the
relationship:

𝒗𝒎𝒂𝒙 = √𝜇𝑠𝑔𝑅 (3-7)

• As a speeding car turns a curve and if the radius of curvature is small, 𝐹𝑐 would be
large and 𝑓𝑘 may not be enough that may lead to skidding, especially if the road is wet
and slippery.

• To reduce the chance of skids, highway curves are often BANKED so roadbed tilts
inward.

(a) (b)
Figure 2.3: (a) Car turning a curve, (b) The free body diagram.
(Source: http://www.clickandlearn.org)

From the FBD of the vehicle, summation of the forces along the x and y axis shows that

𝑚𝑣2
𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = eq. (a), and 𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔 eq. (b)
𝑅

Dividing eq. (a) by (b) gives:

𝑣2
tan 𝜃 = (3-8)
𝑔𝑟

Sample Problem

1. A car is rounding a flat, unbanked curve with radius of 150 m.

a) If the coefficient of static friction between the tires of the car and the road is 0.35,
what is the maximum speed at which the driver can take the curve without skidding?
b) At what angle should the curve be bank so that the car travelling with a speed in (a)
can safely navigate the curve in the absence of static friction?

Chapter 3 | page 35
Solution (Refer to the FBD of car for the unbanked and banked cases.)

a) The car moves around a circular path under the influence of a centripetal focre.
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂 − 𝑤 = 0 gives 𝜼 = 𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈 and 𝜼 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 𝜼
𝑣2 𝒗 𝟐
𝜽
∑𝐹 = 𝑓 = 𝜇 𝜂 = 𝑚 → 𝝁 𝒎𝒈 = 𝒎 then 𝜼
𝑥 𝑠 𝑠 𝑅 𝒔 𝑹
𝜼 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽
𝑣2 = 𝜇𝑠𝑔𝑅 = (0.35)(9.8m/s2)(150m) → 𝒇𝒔
𝜽
𝒗 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟕 𝐦/𝐬
𝒘
𝑣2 𝒗𝟐
b) ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝜂 sin 𝜃 = 𝑚 → 𝜼 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒎 (eq.1) 𝒘
𝑅 𝑹
(a) (b)
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝜂 cos 𝜃 − 𝑤 = 0 → 𝜼 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = 𝒎𝒈 (eq.2)

𝑚( 𝑣2⁄
Dividing Eq.1 with Eq.2: sin 𝜃 = 𝑅) gives
cos𝜃 𝑚𝑔

𝑣2 𝒗𝟐 (𝟐𝟐.𝟕𝐦/𝐬)𝟐
tan 𝜃 = → ( )= −𝟏 [
] = 𝜽 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟑°
𝐭𝐚𝐧 (𝟗.𝟖𝐦/𝐬𝟐)(𝟏𝟓𝟎𝐦)
𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 𝒈𝑹
𝑔𝑅

Chapter 3 | page 36
 Exercise No. 3

1. A man is dragging a trunk up the loading ramp of a mover's

truck. The ramp has a slope angle of 20.0o, and the man pulls
upward with a force 𝑭 whose direction makes an angle of
30.0 with the ramp (Figure 4.9).
a) How large a force 𝑭 is necessary for the component 𝑭𝒙
parallel to the ramp to be 43.3N?
b) How large will the component 𝑭𝒚 perpendicular to the ramp
then be?

2. A sled is tied to a tree on a frictionless, snow-covered hill, as

shown in the second figure in the right. If the sled weighs 80
N, find the
a) force exerted by the rope on the sled; and the
b) normal force exerted by the hill on the sled.

3. An athlete whose mass is 90.0 kg is performing weight-lifting

exercises. Starting from the rest position, he lifts, with
constant acceleration, a barbell that weighs 490 N. He lifts the
barbell a distance of 0.60 m in 1.6 s. Find the total force that
his feet exert on the ground as he lifts the barbell.

4. In a physics lab experiment, a 6.00kg box is pushed across a

flat table by a horizontal force.
a) If the box is moving at constant speed of 0.350 m/s and the
coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.12, what is the magnitude of the force?
b) What is the magnitude of the force if the box is speeding
up with a constant acceleration of 0.180m/s2?

5. A block of m1=20.0 kg is placed on a plane incline at angle

𝛼=37.1° and is connected to a second hanging block with mass
m2 by a cord passing over a small, frictionless pulley. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the plane and the block is
0.30.
a) Find the mass m2 if it is to descend 12.0 m in the first 3.00 s
after the system is released from rest.
b) Find the mass m2 for which the block m1 accelerate down the
plane at a rate same as the magnitude in (a).

6. A small car with mass of 0.800 kg travels at a constant speed

on the inside of a track that is a vertical circle with radius 5.00
m. If the normal force exerted by the track on the car when it
is at the bottom of the track is 25 N,
a) What is the normal force on the car when it is at the (i)
top, (ii) rightmost and (iii) leftmost point of the track?
b) What is the speed of the car as it travels around the
vertical circle?

7. A man weighs a fish with a spring scale attached to the ceiling

of an elevator. While the elevator is at rest, he measures a Figure 2.6
weight of 49.0 N.
a) What weight does the scale read if the elevator accelerates upward at 2.00 m/s2?

Chapter 3 | page 37
 b) What weight does the scale read if the elevator accelerates downward at 2.00
m/s2?

8. A 2500 kg van accelerates down an icy driveway, going from

rest to 30.0 m/s in 6.00 s. During its motion, a 0.100 kg stuffed
toy hangs by a cord from the van’s ceiling. The van’s
acceleration is such that the cord remains perpendicular to the
ceiling. Determine the:
a) angle 𝜃; and the
b) tension in the cord.

9. In a “Giant Swing” shown in figure, the seat is connected to two

cables. One is from the top of the central shaft which makes an
angle of 40.0° with the vertical and the other cable of 7.50 m is
horizontal. The seat swings in a horizontal circle at a rate of 25.1
m/s. If the seat weighs 245 N and a 540 N person is sitting in it,
find the tension in each cable.

10. Consider a banked wet curved roadway, where there is a

coefficient of static friction of 0.30 and a coefficient of kinetic
friction of 0.25 between the tires and the roadway. The radius of
the curve is R = 50 m. If the banking angle is 𝛽 = 25°
a) What is the maximum speed the automobile can have before
sliding up the banking?
b) What is the minimum speed the automobile can have before
sliding down the banking?

Answers:

1. a) 69.3 N ; b) 34.6 N
2. a) 40.0 N ; b) 69.3 N
3. 1,395 N
4. a) 7.06N ; b) 8.14 N
5. a) 30.6 kg ; b) 8.97 kg
6. a) (i) 9.32 N (ii) 17.2 N (iii) 17.2 N
b) 10.4 m/s
7. a) 59 N ; b) 39 N
8. a) 30.7o
b) 0.843 N
9. a) 1,025 N
b) 6,088 N
10. a) 20.9 m/s
b) 8.46 m/s

Chapter 3 | page 38
Name:
NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

PROBLEM SET

Section:
3
Instructor: Date Submitted:

1. In the figure opposite, the weight w is 60.0 N.

a) What is the tension in the diagonal string?
b) Find the magnitudes of the horizontal forces
𝐹⃗1 and 𝐹⃗2 that must be applied to hold the system in the
position shown.

2. Two blocks with masses 4.00 kg and 8.00 kg are connected by

a string and slide down a 30.00 inclined plane. The coefficient
of kinetic friction between the 4.00 kg block and the plane is
0.25; that between the 8.00-kg block and the plane is 0.35
a) Calculate the acceleration of each block.
b) Calculate the tension in the string.
c) What happens if the positions of the blocks are reversed, so
the 4.00-kg block is above the 8.00-kg block?

Chapter 3 | page 39
3. Blocks A, B, and C are placed as in the figure
and connected by ropes of negligible mass. Both
A and B weigh 25.0 N each, and the coefficient
of kinetic friction between each block and the
surface is 0.35. Block C descends with constant
velocity.
a) Draw two separate free-body diagrams
showing the forces acting on A and on B.
b) Find the tension in the rope connecting blocks
A and B.
c) What is the weight of block C?
d) If the rope connecting A and B were cut, what would be the acceleration of C?

4. Block B, with mass 5.00 kg, rests on block A, with mass 8.00
kg, which in turn is on a horizontal tabletop. There is no
friction between block A and the tabletop, but the coefficient
of static friction between block A and block B is 0.750. A
light string attached to block A passes over a frictionless,
massless pulley, and block C is suspended from the other
end of the string. What is the largest mass that block C can
have so that blocks A and B still slide together when the
system is released from rest?

Chapter 3 | page 40
5. Two identical 15.0-kg balls, each 25.0 cm in diameter, are suspended by
two 35.0-cm wires. The entire apparatus is supported by a single 18.0-
cm wire, and the surfaces of the balls are perfectly smooth.
a) Find the tension in each of the three wires.
b) How hard does each ball push on the other one?

Chapter 3 | page 41