NEWTON’S LAW

OF MOTION
P O RT I A A . E G K E N , E d . D
NEWTONS LAW OF MOTION
• 1st Law – An object at rest will
stay at rest, and an object in
motion will stay in motion at
constant velocity, unless acted
upon by an unbalanced force.
• 2nd Law – Force equals mass
times acceleration.
• 3rd Law – For every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction.
Resultant force = zero
o State of rest means
the object is
stationary.
Objects in motion o Uniform velocity
Objects at rest v ≠ 0 m·s-1 (moving with
v = 0 m·s-1 Objects stay in constant velocity)
a = 0 m·s-2 motion with the same means there is no
speed and change in velocity.
direction (v is o Net (resultant) force
constant) is the vector sum of
a = 0 m·s–2 all forces acting on
the object
Definitions
• Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist any
change in its state of rest or uniform
motion. (Uniform motion is motion with
constant velocity)
• The mass of an object is the measure of its
inertia.
MASS
• The property of a body to remain at rest or to
remain in motion with constant velocity is called
inertia. Newton’s first law is often called the law
of inertia.
• The inertia of an object is measured by its mass
• Unlike weight, mass does not vary with location.
Inertia is the
Tendency of
an object to resist
changes in its velocity:
whether in motion or
motionless.
These pumpkins will not move unless acted on by an unbalanced force.
Once airborne, unless acted on
by an unbalanced force
(gravity and air – fluid
friction),it would never stop!
Unless acted upon by an
unbalanced force, this golf
ball would sit on the tee
forever.
BALANCED FORCE
UNBALANCED FORCE
Why then, do we observe every day objects in
motion slowing down and becoming motionless
seemingly without an outside force?

It’s a force we sometimes cannot see – friction.

A book sliding across a table slows down and
stops because of the force of friction.
WHAT IS THIS UNBALANCED FORCE THAT ACTS ON AN OBJECT
IN MOTION?

 There are four main types of friction:

 Sliding friction: ice skating

 Rolling friction: bowling

 Fluid friction (air or liquid): air or water resistance

 Static friction: initial friction when moving an

Because of inertia,
objects (including
you) resist changes in Inertia
their motion.

When the car going 80

km/hour is stopped by
the brick wall, your
body keeps moving at
80 m/hour.
Newton’s Second Law

Force equals
mass times
acceleration.

F = ma
When a net force (Fnet) is
applied to an object of
F = ma
mass (m), it accelerates
the object in the direction
F
of the net force. The a= m
acceleration is directly
proportional to the net
force and inversely
proportional to the mass
of the object.
Weight and the Gravitational Force
When an object is dropped, it
accelerates toward the center of
Earth. Newton’s second law
states that a net force on an
object is responsible for its
Fnet = w  

acceleration.
If air resistance is negligible, w = mg
the net force on a falling object
is the gravitational force,
commonly called its weight w.
When the net external force on On the Moon, the
an object is its weight, we say acceleration due to
that it is in free-fall. gravity is only 1.67
m/s2. A 1.0-kg mass
Mass is the quantity of matter, thus has a weight of
whereas weight is the 9.8 N on Earth and
gravitational force and does only about 1.7 N on
vary depending on gravity. the Moon.
Normal Force
▪ you must support the weight of a heavy object by
pushing up on it when you hold it stationary,
Ex.1 A 10kg box is placed on a table. A horizontal
force of 32 N is applied to the box. A frictional
force of 7 N is present between the surface and
the box.

a) Draw a free-body diagram indicating all the forces

acting on the box.
b) Calculate the acceleration of the box.
FB + Fk = ma
32 N – 7N = 10kg(a)
a = 2.5 m/s 2
Example 2. Suppose that the net external force (push minus
friction) exerted on a lawn mower is 51 N (about 11 lb) parallel
to the ground. The mass of the mower is 24 kg. What is its
acceleration?
Fnet = ma
Fnet
a= m
51kg.m/s 2

a=
24kg
a = 2.1 m/s 2
Rocket sleds were used to test aircraft, missile
equipment, and physiological effects on human subjects
at high speeds. They consisted of a platform that was
mounted on one or two rails and propelled by several
rockets.

Calculate the magnitude of force exerted by each rocket,

called its thrust T, for the four-rocket propulsion system
shown in Figure 4. The sled’s initial acceleration is
49m/s2, the mass of the system is 2100 kg, and the force
of friction opposing the motion is known to be 650 N.
EXAMPLE 3. What rocket thrust accelerates this sled?

Fnet = ma
ma = 4T - f
ma + f = 4T
2100 kg(49m/s ) + 650N = 4T
2

T = 25,887.5 N
3. )A 20 kg traveler’s bag is being pulled along the floor by tourist with a
force of 50N. The force applied on the handle that forms an angle of
300 with the horizontal . Neglecting friction, what is the acceleration
of the bag?
F = ma
x
Fx 43.30N
a= =
F m
300

Fx = Fcosϴ Fx = 50cos30
Fx = 43.30 N
Example 4. The two crates, 40 kg and 60
T1
kg are to be accelerated upward to a ship
at the rate of 0.30m/s2. Determine the
tension in each rope
m1 = 60kg
T2 GIVEN: m1 = 60kg , m2 = 40kg, a = 0.30m/s2
m2 = 40kg
Solution:
Consider each crate as a free body and draw
the forces acting on each.

T1
T2

m1 =60kg
m1 =40kg

W1 T2 W2
a. For m1
Since the direction of the motion is upward, then acceleration
is also upward.
Unbalanced force = m1ay
T1 – T2 – W1 = m1ay W1 = m1g
T1 – T2 – 588N = 60kg (0.30m/s2) W1 = 60kg (9.8m/s2)
T1 – T2 – 588N = 18N W1 = 588N

T1 – T2 = 606N
a. For m2

Unbalanced force = m2ay

T2 – W2 = m2ay W2 = m1g

T2 – 392N = 40kg (0.30m/s )

2 W2 = 40kg (9.8m/s2)
W2 = 392N
T2 – 392N = 12N
T2 = 404 N * T1 – T2 = 606N
T1 – 404 N = 606N T1 = 1010 N
5. Weight on an incline, a two-dimensional problem
Consider the skier on a slope shown in the Figure. Her mass including
equipment is 60.0 kg. (a) What is her acceleration if friction is negligible?
(b) What is her acceleration if friction is known to be 45.0 N?
We use the symbols ⊥ (y) and ∥ (x) to represent perpendicular and
parallel, respectively.

The only external forces acting on the system are the skier’s weight,
friction, and the support of the slope, respectively labeled w, f, and N 

Weight parallel to the slope

Wx = Wsin 25 = mg sin 25
weight perpendicular to the
slope
Wy = Wcos 25 = mg cos 25
Fx
ax = Fy = mg sin 250
m
mg sin 250 60kg (9.8 m/s2)sin250
ax = =
m 60kg
= 4.14 m/s2
(b) Including friction.
Fnet(x) = Wx - f
Fx Wx - f 60kg (9.8m/s2) sin250 – 45 N
ax = = =
m m 60kg

ax = 3.39 m/s2
EXAMPLE 6. WHAT IS THE TENSION IN A
TIGHTROPE?
Calculate the tension in the wire supporting the 70.0-kg
tightrope walker shown in the Figure.
Solution: Consider the x and y component af all forces acting
on the body
Apply the first condition of
equilibrium
∑ Fx = 0 ∑ Fx = Wx + TLx + TRx
∑ Fy = 0 ∑ Fy = Wy + TLy + TRy
∑ Fx = 0 ∑ Fx = Wx + TLx + TRx
∑ Fx = 0 + TLx (cos 5) + TRx (cos 5)
∑ Fx = 0 + TLx (-0.9962) + TRx (cos 5)

∑ Fy = 0 ∑ Fy = Wy + TLy + TRy
WEIGHT is a measure of the force of gravity
on the mass of an object

W = mg
N = Kg.m/s2
2 LAW (F = M X A)
ND

How much force is needed to accelerate a 1400

kilogram car 2 meters per second/per second?
Write the formula
F=mxa
Fill in given numbers and units
F = 1400 kg x 2 m/s2
Solve for the unknown
2800 kg-m/s2 or 2800 N
4

10

If mass remains constant, doubling the acceleration, doubles the force. If force remains
constant, doubling the mass, halves the acceleration.
N EW TO N’S 2 N D LAW PRO VES TH AT DI FFERENT
M ASSES ACCELERAT E TO T H E EART H AT T H E
SAM E RAT E, BUT W I T H DI FFEREN T FORCES.

• We know that objects

with different masses
accelerate to the ground
at the same rate.
• However, because of
the 2nd Law we know
that they don’t hit the
ground with the same
force.
F = ma F = ma
98 N = 10 kg x 9.8 m/s/s 9.8 N = 1 kg x 9.8
m/s/s
Terminal Velocity
NEWTON’S SECOND LAW
One rock weighs 5 Newtons.
The other rock weighs 0.5
Newtons. How much more
force will be required to
accelerate the first rock
at the same rate as the
second rock?

Ten times as much

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
1. What acceleration will result when a 12 N net force applied to a 3 kg
object?
12 N = 3 kg x 4 m/s2

2. A net force of 16 N causes a mass to accelerate at a rate of 5 m/s2.

Determine the mass.
16 N = 3.2 kg x 5 m/s2
 
3. How much force is needed to accelerate a 66 kg skier 1 m/sec/sec?
66 kg-m/s2 or 66 N

4. What is the force on a 1000 kg elevator that is falling freely at 9.8

m/sec/sec?

9800 kg-m/s2 or 9800 N

3 RD LAW

•For every action, there is an

equal and opposite reaction
3 LAW
RD
According to Newton, whenever
objects A and B interact with
each other, they exert forces
upon each other. When you sit in
your chair, your body exerts a
downward force on the chair and
the chair exerts an upward force
on your body.
3 LAW
RD

There are two forces resulting

from this interaction - a force
on the chair and a force on
your body. These two forces
are called action and reaction
forces.
NEWTON’S 3RD LAW IN NATURE
• Consider the propulsion of a fish
through the water. A fish uses its
fins to push water backwards. In
turn, the water reacts by pushing
the fish forwards, propelling the
fish through the water.
• The size of the force on the water
equals the size of the force on the
fish; the direction of the force on
the water (backwards) is opposite
the direction of the force on the fish
(forwards).
3 LAW
RD
Flying gracefully
through the air, birds
depend on Newton’s
third law of motion. As
the birds push down on
the air with their wings,
the air pushes their
wings up and gives
them lift.
• Consider the flying motion of birds. A bird flies by
use of its wings. The wings of a bird push air
downwards. In turn, the air reacts by pushing the bird
upwards.
• The size of the force on the air equals the size of the
force on the bird; the direction of the force on the air
(downwards) is opposite the direction of the force on
the bird (upwards).
• Action-reaction force pairs make it possible for
birds to fly.
OTHER EXAMPLES OF NEWTON’S THIRD
LAW
• The baseball forces the
bat to the left (an
action); the bat forces
the ball to the right (the
reaction).
Reaction: gases push on rocket

Action: rocket pushes on gases

The reaction of a rocket is an
3 RD
LAW application of the third law
of motion. Various fuels are
burned in the engine,
producing hot gases.
The hot gases push against
the inside tube of the rocket
and escape out the bottom of
the tube. As the gases move
downward, the rocket moves
in the opposite direction.
Book to Table to
earth book
THINK ABOUT IT . . .
What happens if you are standing on a
skateboard or a slippery floor and push against
a wall? You slide in the opposite direction
(away from the wall), because you pushed on
the wall but the wall pushed back on you with
equal and opposite force.
Why does it hurt so much when you stub your
toe? When your toe exerts a force on a rock, the
rock exerts an equal force back on your toe. The
harder you hit your toe against it, the more force
the rock exerts back on your toe (and the more
your toe hurts).
Action and Reaction on Different Masses

Consider you and the earth

Action: earth pulls on you

Reaction: you pull on earth

Action: tire pushes on road
Reaction: road pushes on tire
3 LAW
RD

• Momentum and Impulse

Momentum = quantitatively describe the motion of an

object

ρ = mv
= kg.m/s
ACCORDING TO NEWTON’S 2 ND LAW
F = ma
* a = v – vo Substitution of this value to the
2nd Law
t
F = m v - vo By rearrangement
t

Ft = mv – mvo
Impulse = change in momentum
IMPULSE AND MOMENTUM

Impulse (I) = Ft (kg.m/s2) (s)

(kg.m/s)
Momentum (ρ) = mv (kg.m/s)

The concept of impulse is usually associated with

collisions
A 1. A marble of mass m 1 = 0.04kg moving with a s
peed v 1 =2m/s strikes a second marble, initially
at rest with a mass of m 2 = 0.04kg. What is the
velocity of marble 2 after collision?
Ρ 1 (MOMENTUM OF MARBLE 1) = m 1 v 1
Ρ 2 (MOMENTUM OF MARBLE 1) = m 2 v 2

ρ 1 + ρ 2 = ρ 1’ + ρ 2 ’
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1 + m v ’
2 2
’

(0.04kg)(2m/s) + (0.04kg)(0) = (0.04kg)(0) + (0.04kg) (v2)

0.08 kg.m/s = 0.04kg (v2)

V2 = 2m/s
“Conservation of momentum”
1. A 0.005kg bullet is fired
horizontally and hits an 8kg
block of wood (initially at
rest) which can move freely.
the wood and the bullet
move with a velocity of
0.50m/s after impact. what
is the initial velocity of
the bullet.
ρ1 + ρ 2 = ρ 1 + ρ 2’ ’

Bullet + block of wood Bullet + block of wood

(before collision) (after collision)

m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1 + m v ’

2 2
’

0.005kg (V1) + 8kg ( 0 ) = 0.005kg(0.50ms) + 8kg(0.50m/s)

0.005kg (v1) = 0.0025 kg.m/s + 4kg.m/s

0.005kg (v1) = 4.0025kg.m/s

V1 = 800.5 m/s
2 . In a baseball game, a 0.2
kg ball moving at 12 m/s is hit
by a bat. after the impact, the
ball moves in the opposite
direction with a velocity of 18
m/s. if the force exerted on the
ball is 670 n. how long is the
time of contact.?

Ft = mv – mv0
Ft = mv – mv0
670N (t) = 0.2kg (18m/s) - 0.2kg (12m/s)

670N (t) = 36kg.m/s - 2.4kg.m/s)

670N(t) = 33.6 kg.m/s

670kg.m/s2 (t) = 33.6 kg.m/s
670kg.m/s2 670kg.m/s

t = 0.050sec
3. A tricycle has a mass of 180 kg. If it
has a velocity of 8 m/s Northward,
What is the momentum?

a. how long must a force of 100n act

on the tricycle to give it this
momentum?
4. A tricycle has a mass of 180 kg. if it has a velocity
of 8 m/s northward, what is the momentum?
p = mv
= 180kg (8m/s)
= 1440 kg. m/s

a. how long must a force of 100n act on the tricycle

to give it this momentum?
 

Ft = mv
100N (t)= 180kg (8m/s)
t = 1440kg.m/s / 100n
= 14secs
Uniform Circular motion and Tangential velocity

• Any object that moves with a constant velocity

will continue its motion unless it is acted upon
by an outside force.
CENTRIPETAL FORCE

“Objects in motion tend to remain in motion, at the same rate,

And in the same direction, unless acted on by an outside force”

• Newton’s First Law tells us that only a force can cause a

body to move out of a straight line path. In circular motion
the direction of the body is continually changing at every
instant. Therefore a force must be acting. That force is called
centripetal (central) force since it acts toward the circle of
the circular path.

ALL CIRCULAR MOTION REQUIRES A

CENTRIPETAL FORCE, OTHERWISE THE
BODY CONTINUES IN A STRAIGHT LINE PATH.
CENTRIPETAL FORCE

• All circular motion requires a centripetal force.

Newton’s Second Law of Motion tells us that force
equal mass times acceleration. Therefore, centripetal
force must produce an acceleration (centripetal
acceleration). Since the force acts towards the center of
the circular path, the acceleration must also be towards
the center !

ALL CIRCULAR MOTION IS ACCELERATED

MOTION. THE ACCELERATION IS ALWAYS
TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE CIRCULAR PATH.
Distance traveled
Over angle 
THE INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY
VECTOR IN CIRCULAR MOTION IS S
TANGENTIAL TO THE CIRCULAR PATH
r 
V1 r
Vector difference
r  V1
r V2 
V
V2
Similar triangles give S/ r = V / V
Distance traveled (S) = V t
The smaller  gets, the Therefore V t / r = V / V
Rearranging the equation gives
better ac is approximated V / t = V x V / r
by a = V2 / r a = V / t = V 2 / r
Displacement Vector Acceleration Vector
(Radius) (Towards the center)

Velocity Vector
(Tangent to the path)
The velocity vector
is always
tangential to the
circular path
The acceleration
vector is always
towards the center
of the circular path
AVERAGE =  /  t = (2 + 1) / 2
d = v t + ½ at 2
 = o t + ½ t 2 o

v = vo + at
 = o + t
d = v 2
- v o / 2a
2
 = ½ ( - o ) / 
2 2
s=R
s=R
Vlinear =  R
Vlinear =  R
alinear =  R
alinear =  R
f = 1/ T, T = 1 / f
f = 1/ T, T = 1 / f
1 revolution = 360 degrees = 2  radian
1 revolution = 360 degrees = 2  radians
=2f, =2/T
=2f, =2/T
a centripetal = V 2
/r
acentripetal = V / r
2
F centripetal = m V 2
/r
Fcentripetal = m V / r
2
CENTRIPETAL FORCE & ACCELERATION PROBLEMS
A 1000 KG CAR R OU N DS A TUR N O F 30 METE R R ADIUS AT 9 M /S. (A)
WHAT IS ITS A CCE LER ATION ? (B) WHA T IS THE CE NTRIP ETAL F OR CE ?

v = 9 m/s r = 30 m

• (a) acentripetal = V2 / r = 9 2 / 30 = 2.7 m /s2

• (b) Fcentripetal = m V2 / r = m x ac = 1000 x 2.7 = 2700 N

CENTRIPETAL FORCE & ACCELERATION PROBLEMS
A CAR I S TR AVELING AT 20 MPH ON A LEVEL ROAD WITH A COEFFI CI ENT
OF FRICTI ON OF 0.80. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM CURVE RADIUS ?

 = 0.80
v = 20mph r = ? ft

• In the English system velocity must be in ft/sec.

• 20 mph x 5280ft / 3600 sec = 29.4 ft/sec.
• The centripetal force which allows the car to round the curve is
supplied by friction.
• Ff =  Fn when the car is on level ground the normal force is the
car’s weight w = mg
• Centripetal force is given by mv2/r
• Fc = Ff ,  mg = mv2/r , canceling mass from both sides leaves
 g = v2/r and rearranging the equation, r = v2/ ( g)
• R = (29.4)2/ ( 0.80 x 32) = 34 ft