Dynamics
1.ForcesandTypesofForces
orce=interactionbetweenobjectsthatcancauseacceleration.
F
MeasuredinNewtons(N):1N=1 kg·m/s^2.
Maintypesyoumustknow:
● Weight(Fg):gravitationalpullofEarthonanobject.
○ Formula:Fg=mg
○ AlwayspointsdownwardtowardEarth’scenter.
○ Example:A60kgstudent→Fg=60×9.8=588 N
● N
ormalForce(Fn):supportforcefromasurface,perpendicularto
surface.
○ Balancessome/allofgravity
○ Onflatground:Fn=mg
○ Onincline:Fn=mgcosθ
● Friction(f):resistsrelativemotionbetweensurfaces.
○ Static(noslidingyet):fs≤μsFn
■ Adjuststopreventmotion,maxvaluebeforesliding.
○ Kinetic(sliding):fk=μkFn
■ Constantvalueonceslidingstarts.
○ Direction:oppositemotion(orintendedmotion).
● Tension(T):pulltransmittedthroughrope/cable.
○ Samemagnitudethroughoutrope(idealrope).
○ Alwayspulls,neverpushes.
● S
pringForce(Fs):Hooke’sLaw.
Fs=−kx
○ k:springconstant(N/m).
○ x:displacementfromequilibrium.
○ Negative=restoringforce(oppositedisplacement).
2.Newton’sLaws
● FirstLaw(Inertia):
○ If∑F=0,objectkeepsdoingwhatitwasdoing.
○ Atrest→staysatrest.Movingatconstantvelocity→keeps
moving.
○ Example:Hockeypuckslidesonfrictionlessice→keepsmoving
forever.
● SecondLaw:
○ Fnet=ma
○ Netforcecausesacceleration,notmotionitself.
○ Biggermass→smalleraccelerationforsameforce.
○ Example:Pusha1kgand10kgboxwith20N.Accelerations:
■ a=20/1=20 m/s^2
■ a=20/10=2 m/s^2
● ThirdLaw(Action-ReactionPairs):
○ F orcesalwayscomeinpairs,equalinmagnitude,oppositein
direction,actondifferentobjects.
○ Example:Youpushonwallwith50N→wallpushesbackonyou
with50N.
3.Free-BodyDiagrams(FBDs)
● tep1:Isolateoneobject.
S
● Step2:Drawallforcesonthatobject(notwhatitexerts).
● Step3:Choosecoordinatesystem(x&y).
● Step4:Breakangledforcesintocomponents.
○ Fx=Fcosθ,Fy=Fsinθ.
4.CommonSituations
● H
orizontalsurfacewithfriction:
Fnet=Fapp−fk
IfFapp<fs(max),blockwon’tmove.
● Inclinedplanes:
○ C ∥
omponentalongslope:Fg, =mgsinθ
○ ⊥
Componentintoslope:Fg, =mgcosθ
○ Normalforce=mgcosθ
○ FrictiondependsonFn
● Elevators(apparentweight):
I facceleratingupward:Fn=mg+ma
○
○ Ifacceleratingdownward:Fn=mg−ma
○ Ifinfreefall:Fn=0(weightlessness).
● Tensioninropes/pulleys:
F
○ ormassmhanging:T−mg=ma
○ InAtwoodmachine(twomasses,onepulley):
UseFBDs→setupsystemofequations.
5.Equilibrium
● I f∑F=0,thena=0
● Velocitycouldbeconstant(including0).
● Commoninstaticproblems(bridgeholdingweights,signhanging).
● Example:Hangingsignheldbytworopesatangles→usevector
componentsoftensionforcestobalanceweight.
6.CommonMisconceptions/Mistakes
T
● hinkingforceisrequiredformotion(it’srequiredforacceleration).
● Mixingupweight(mg)andnormalforce(Fn)→onlyequalonflat
horizontalsurface.
● Forgettingtobreakinclinedforcesintocomponents.
● Confusingstaticvs.kineticfriction.
● Treatingthird-lawpairsasactingonthesameobject(theyneverdo).
7.Math&ProblemSolvingSkills
A
● lways:DrawFBD→WriteΣF=ma→Solve.
● Chooseaxestomakematheasier(e.g.,alongincline).
● Formultipleobjects,writeequationsforeach,linkthemwithshared
variables(tension,acceleration).
● Forfriction,checkifforceisenoughtoovercomestaticfriction.
● Alwaystrackdirectionswithsigns.