Storyline

Chapter 5:
The Laws of Motion

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 10e

Raymond A. Serway
John W. Jewett, Jr.
 Example 5.1:
An Accelerating Hockey Puck
A hockey puck having a mass of 0.30 kg slides on the
frictionless, horizontal surface of an ice rink. Two
hockey sticks strike the puck simultaneously, exerting
the forces on the puck shown in the
figure. The force F1 has a magnitude of
5.0 N, and is directed at θ = 20° below
the x axis. The force F2 has a magnitude
of 8.0 N and its direction is φ = 60°
above the x axis. Determine both the
magnitude and the direction of the
puck’s acceleration.
 Example 5.1:
An Accelerating Hockey Puck
∑F x = F1x + F2 x = F1 cos θ + F2 cos φ
 ay 
β = tan  
−1

∑F y = F1 y + F2 y = F1 sin θ + F2 sin φ  ax 

=
ax
∑
=
F x F1 cos θ + F2 cos φ −1  17 
= tan  =  31°
m m  29 

= ay =
∑ Fy F1 sin θ + F2 sin φ
m m
( 5.0 N ) cos ( −20° ) + (8.0 N ) cos ( 60° )
ax = 29 m/s 2
0.30 kg
( 5.0 N ) sin ( −20° ) + (8.0 N ) sin ( 60° )
a y = 17 m/s 2
0.30 kg

a= ( 29 m/s 2 2
) + (17 m/s )
2 2
= 34 m/s 2
 Example 5.1:
An Accelerating Hockey Puck
Suppose three hockey sticks strike the puck
simultaneously, with two of them exerting
the forces shown in the figure. The result of
the three forces is that the hockey puck
shows no acceleration.
What must be the components of the third
force?

F3 x = − ( 0.30 kg ) ( 29 m/s 2 ) =
−∑ Fx = −8.7 N
F3 y = − ( 0.30 kg ) (17 m/s 2 ) =
−∑ Fx = −5.2 N
 Conceptual Example 5.2:
How Much Do You Weigh in an Elevator
You have most likely been in an elevator that accelerates
upward as it moves toward a higher floor. In this case,
you feel heavier. In fact, if you are standing on a
bathroom scale at the time, the scale measures a force
having a magnitude that is greater than your weight.
Therefore, you have tactile and measured evidence that
leads you to believe you are heavier in this situation.
Are you heavier?
𝑊𝑊 = 𝐹𝐹𝑔𝑔 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
No; your weight is unchanged.
 Conceptual Example 5.3:
You Push Me and I’ll Push You
A large man and a small boy stand facing each other
on frictionless ice. They put their hands together and
push against each other so that they move apart.
Who moves away with the higher speed?


a∝
∑F
m

The boy
 Conceptual Example 5.3:
You Push Me and I’ll Push You
Who moves farther while their hands are in contact?

1
𝑥𝑥𝑓𝑓 = 𝑥𝑥𝑖𝑖 + 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 2
2

The boy
 Example 5.4:
A Traffic Light at Rest
A traffic light weighing 122 N hangs from a cable tied
to two other cables fastened to a support as the figure.
The upper cables make angles of θ1 = 37.0° and θ2 =
53.0° with the horizontal. These upper cables are not
as strong as the vertical cable and
will break if the tension in them
exceeds 100 N. Does the traffic light
remain hanging in this situation, or
will one of the cables break?
 Example 5.4:
A Traffic Light at Rest

∑F y =0 ⇒ T3 − Fg =0 ⇒ T3 =Fg

Force x Component y Component


T1 − T1 cos θ1 T1 sin θ1

T2 T2 cos θ 2 T2 sin θ 2

T3 0 − Fg

(1) ∑ Fx =−T1 cos θ1 + T2 cos θ 2 = 0

( 2) ∑
= Fy T1 sin θ1 + T2 sin θ 2 + ( =
− Fg ) 0
 Example 5.4:
A Traffic Light at Rest
 cos θ1 
−T1 cos θ1 + T2 cos θ 2 =0 ⇒ T2 =T1  
 cos θ 2 
 cos θ1 
T1 sin θ1 + T2 sin θ 2 + ( − Fg ) = 0 ⇒ T1 sin θ1 + T1   ( sin θ 2 ) − Fg = 0
 cos θ 2 
Fg
T1 =
sin θ1 + cos θ1 tan θ 2

122 N
T1 = 73.4 N
sin 37.0° + cos 37.0° tan 53.0°
 cos 37.0° 
=T2 (=
73.4 N )   97.4 N
 cos 53.0° 
 Example 5.4:
A Traffic Light at Rest
Suppose the two angles in the figure are equal. What
would be the relationship between T1 and T2?

 cos θ1 
T2 T=
1  T1
 cos θ 2 
 Conceptual Example 5.5:
Forces Between Cars in a Train
Train cars are connected by couplers, which are under
tension as the locomotive pulls the train. Imagine you
are on a train speeding up with a constant acceleration.
As you move through the train from the locomotive to
the last car, measuring the tension in each set of
couplers, does the tension increase, decrease, or stay the
same?

The tension decreases.

 Conceptual Example 5.5:
Forces Between Cars in a Train
When the engineer applies the brakes, the couplers are
under compression. How does this compression force
vary from the locomotive to the last car? (Assume only
the brakes on the wheels of the engine are applied.)

The force decreases.

 Example 5.6:
The Runaway Car
A car of mass m is on an icy driveway inclined at an
angle θ as in the figure.

(A) Find the acceleration of the car, assuming the

driveway is frictionless.

90 − 𝜃𝜃

𝜃𝜃
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚(𝜃𝜃)

𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚(𝜃𝜃) 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
 Example 5.6:
The Runaway Car

∑ Fx mg
= = sin θ max
∑F y n − mg cos θ =
= ma y

ax = g sin θ
 Example 5.6:
The Runaway Car
(B) Suppose the car is released from rest at the top of
the incline and the distance from the car’s front
bumper to the bottom of the incline is d. How long
does it take the front bumper to reach the bottom of
the hill, and what is the car’s speed as it arrives there?
 Example 5.6:
The Runaway Car
0 0
1 2 1 2
x f = xi + vxi t + ax t → d = ax t
2 2

2d 2d
=t =
ax g sin θ

vxf 2 = 2ax d

=
vxf =
2a x d 2 gd sin θ
 Example 5.6:
The Runaway Car
What previously solved problem does this situation
become if θ = 90°?

=
In free fall: sin θ g sin
ax g= = 90° g
 Example 5.7:
One Block Pushes Another
Two blocks of masses m1 and m2 , with m1 > m2 , are
placed in contact with each other on a frictionless,
horizontal surface as in the figure. A constant
horizontal force F is applied to m1 as shown.
 Example 5.7:
One Block Pushes Another
(A) Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the system.

∑ F= x F= ( m1 + m2 ) ax
F
ax =
m1 + m2
 Example 5.7:
One Block Pushes Another
(B) Determine the magnitude of the contact force
between the two blocks.

𝑚𝑚2 → ∑ F= x P=
12 m2 ax

F  m2 
ax = → P12 = m2 ax =  F
m1 + m2  m1 + m2 
 Example 5.7:
One Block Pushes Another

∑F x =F − P21 =F − P12 =m1ax

P12= F − m1ax
 F 
= F − m1  
 m1 + m2 
 m2 
= F
 m1 + m2 
 Example 5.7:
One Block Pushes Another

Imagine that the force F is is applied toward the left
on the right-hand
 block of mass m2 . Is the magnitude
of the force P12 the same as it was when the force
was applied toward the right on m1?
When the force 𝐅𝐅⃗ is applied from the right, we have:
 m1
P12 = F
m1 + m2
This is greater than
before because m1 > m2.
 Example 5.8:
Weighing a Fish in an Elevator
A person weighs a fish of mass m on a spring scale
attached to the ceiling of an elevator as illustrated in
the figure.
(A) Show that if the elevator
accelerates either upward or
downward, the spring scale
gives a reading that is
different from the weight of
the fish.
 Example 5.8:
Weighing a Fish in an Elevator

∑F y=T − Fg = 0 ⇒ T = Fg = mg
( elevator at rest or moving with constant v )

∑F y =T − mg =ma y

=
T ma y + mg
 ay   ay 
= mg  += 1 Fg  + 1
 g   g 
 Example 5.8:
Weighing a Fish in an Elevator
(B) Evaluate the scale readings for a 40.0-N fish if the
elevator moves with an acceleration ay = ±2.00 m/s2.

 2.00 m/s 2 
T ( 40.0 N )=
 2
+ 1 48.2 N
 9.80 m/s 
 −2.00 m/s 2 
T ( 40.0 N )=
 2
+ 1 31.8 N
 9.80 m/s 
 Example 5.8:
Weighing a Fish in an Elevator
Suppose the woman in the figure tires of watching the
scale and exits the elevator. Then the elevator cable
breaks and the elevator and its remaining contents are
in free fall. What happens to the reading on the scale?

 ay   −g 
=
T Fg  + 1 →=
T Fg  +=
1 0
 g   g 
 Example 5.9:
The Atwood Machine
When two objects of unequal mass are
hung vertically over a frictionless
pulley of negligible mass as in the
figure, the arrangement is called an
Atwood machine. The device is
sometimes used in the laboratory to
determine the value of g by measuring
the acceleration of the objects.
Determine the magnitude of the
acceleration of the two objects and the
tension in the lightweight string.
 Example 5.9:
The Atwood Machine

+
∑ F =−
y T mg= 1ma 1 y

∑ F = m g − T= m a
y 2 2 y

−m1 g + m2 g = m1a y + m2 a y

 m2 − m1 
ay =  g
 m1 + m2 

 2m1m2 
T = m1 ( g + a y )=  g
 m1 + m2 
 Example 5.9:
The Atwood Machine
Describe the motion of the system if the objects have
equal masses, that is, m1 = m2.

=
for m1 m=
2 m:
m−m  0 
=
ay   g ⇒=
ay  = g 0
m+m  2m 

No acceleration
 Example 5.9:
The Atwood Machine
What if one of the masses is much larger than the other:
m1 >> m2?

m1 falls as if m2 were not there

 m2 − m1   −m1 
if m1 >> m2 → a y =  g ≈  g = −g
 m1 + m2   m1 
Example 5.10: Acceleration of Two Objects
Connected by a Cord
A ball of mass m1 and a block
of mass m2 are attached by a
lightweight cord that passes
over a frictionless pulley of
negligible mass as in the top
figure. The block lies on a
frictionless incline of angle θ.
Find the magnitude of the
acceleration of the two objects
and the tension in the cord.
 Example 5.10: Acceleration of Two Objects
Connected by a Cord
∑F y =T − m1 g − m1a y =m1a
+

=T m1 ( g + a )

m2 g sin θ − m1 ( g + a ) =
m2 a

 m2 sin θ − m1 
a= g
 m1 + m2 
 m1m2 ( sin θ + 1) 
T = g
 m1 + m2 
Example 5.10: Acceleration of Two Objects
Connected by a Cord
What happens in this situation if θ = 90°?

It becomes an Atwood machine!

 m2 sin θ − m1   m2 − m1 
a  = g → a  g
 m1 + m2   m1 + m2 

 m1m2 ( sin θ + 1)   2m1m2 

T  = g →T  g
 m1 + m2   m1 + m2 
Example 5.10: Acceleration of Two Objects
Connected by a Cord
What if m1 = 0?

Describes a mass
sliding down a
frictionless inclined
plane, similar to the
sliding car problem

 m2 sin θ − m1   m2 sin θ − 0   m2 sin θ 

a  = g → a  = g  g
 m1 + m2   0 + m2   m2 
 Example 5.11:
Experimental Determination of µs and µk
The following is a simple method of measuring
coefficients of friction. Suppose a block is placed on a
rough surface inclined relative to the horizontal as
shown in the figure. The incline angle is increased
until the block starts to
move. Show that you can
obtain µs by measuring the
critical angle θc at which this
slipping just occurs.
 Example 5.11:
Experimental Determination of µs and µk
∑=
F mg sin θ −
x = f 0s

∑F =
n − mg cos θ =
y 0

 n 
fs =
mg sin θ  =  sin θ n tan θ
 cos θ 

µ s n = n tan θ c
µ s = tan θ c
 Example 5.12:
The Sliding Hockey Puck
A hockey puck on a frozen pond is given an initial
speed of 20.0 m/s. If the puck always remains on the
ice and slides 115 m before coming to rest,
determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between
the puck and ice.
 Example 5.12:
The Sliding Hockey Puck

∑F x =− fk =max ∑F y =n − mg =0

− µk n =
− µ k mg =
max
ax = − µ k g
2
vxi + 2ax ( x f − xi )
vxf = 2

0= vxi 2 − 2 µ k gx f
vxi 2 + 2ax x f =

( 20.0 m/s )
2 2
vxi
µk = µk = 0.177
2 gx f 2 ( 9.80 m/s ) (115 m )
2
 Example 5.13: Acceleration of Two
Connected Objects When Friction Is Present
A block of mass m2 on a rough, horizontal surface is
connected to a ball of mass m1 by a lightweight cord
over a lightweight, frictionless pulley as shown in the
figure. A force of magnitude F at an angle θ with the
horizontal is applied to the block
as shown, and the block slides to
the right. The coefficient of
kinetic friction between the block
and surface is µk. Determine the
magnitude of the acceleration of
the two objects.
 Example 5.13: Acceleration of Two
Connected Objects When Friction Is Present
∑ F= F cos θ − f − T= m a=
x k 2 x m2 a

∑F = n + F sin θ − m g =
y 0 2

∑F y =−
T m1 g =m1a y =m1a

=n m2 g − F sin θ
=f k µ k ( m2 g − F sin θ )

F cos θ − µ k ( m2 g − F sin θ ) − m1 ( a + g ) =
m2 a
F ( cos θ + µ k sin θ ) − ( m1 + µ k m2 ) g
a=
m1 + m2