Newton’s Law

Problem 1
A dockworker applies a constant horizontal force of 80N to a block of ice on a smooth
horizontal floor. The frictional force is negligible. The block starts from rest and moves a
distance 11.0m in a time 5.00s.

(a) What is the mass of the block of ice?

At t=0
x=0, v0x = 0

1 1
Use the kinematic equation x = x0 + v0 x t + ax t 2 = ax t 2
2 2

2x 2 (11m ) m
or ax = = = 0.88 2
t 2
( 5s ) 2
s

F 80N
Using Newton’s 2nd law Fx = F = max , and m = = = 90.9kb
ax 0.88 m
s2

(b) If the worker stops pushing at the end of 5.00s, how far does the block move in
the next 5.00s?

! m$ m
2&(
At the end of 5.00s the speed of the ice will be vx = ax t = # 0.88 5.00s ) = 4.4
" s % s

m
After 5.00s, the ice travels at a constant velocity (force is zero) of vx = 4.4 , so in
s
the next 5.00s it will move vx t = ( 4.4m / s ) ( 5.00s ) = 22m .

Problem 2
Stopping Distance.

(a) If the coefficient of kinetic friction between tires and dry pavement is µ k = 0.80 ,
what is the shortest distance in which an automobile can be stopped by locking
the brakes when traveling at v0 x = 28.7m / s ? vx
 y-component

Use Newton’s first law

n = mg

x-component

friction force is fk = µ k n = µ k mg

Use Newton’s second law

! fk = ! µ k mg = !max ( )
ax = µ k g = ( 0.80 ) 9.8m / s 2 = 7.84m / s 2

Apply the kinematic equation

( 28.7m / s )2
2 2
( )
vx2 = ( 0 ) = v02x + 2ax x = ( 28.7m / s ) + 2 !7.84m / s 2 x , x = = 53m
(
2 7.84m / s 2 )
(b) On wet pavement the coefficient of kinetic friction may be only µ wet = 0.25 .
How fast should you drive on wet pavement in order to be able to stop in the same
distance as in part (a)? (Note: Locking the brakes is not the safest way to stop.)

In this case the friction force is

! fk = ! µwet mg = !max → ax = µwet g = ( 0.25 ) ( 9.8m / s 2 ) = 2.45m / s 2
( )
vx2 = ( 0 ) = v02x + 2ax x = v02x + 2 !2.45m / s 2 ( 53m )
2

v0 x = 2 ( 2.45m / s ) ( 53m ) = 16m / s

Problem 3 !
In the diagram below a) What is the magnitude of F , so that the component parallel to
the ramp is Fx = 60N ? b) How large will the component perpendicular to the ramp, Fy be
in this case?
 y !
x F

30°

It is most convenient to use the x-y coordinate as shown. The x axis is parallel to the
ramp, while the y axis is perpendicular to the ramp.
60N
a) x-component If Fx = FCos30! = 60N ! F = = 69.3N
Cos30!
b) y-component If Fy = FSin30! = 69.3N ( 0.5 ) = 34.7N

Problem 4

Block A in the figure weighs w A =1.20 N and block B weighs wB =3.60N. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between all surfaces is µ k =0.300.
 !
A. Find the magnitude of the horizontal force F necessary to drag block B to the left
at constant speed if A rests on B and moves with it (figure (a)).
In this case, the situation is the same as a combined block that weights wA + wB as
depicted below

y-component Using First law n = wA + wB

x-component f k ! friction force between floor and combined crate

fk = µ k n = µ k ( wA + wB ) = 0.300 (1.20N + 3.60N ) = 1.44N

Using First law F ! fk = 0 F = fk = 1.44N

!
B. Find the magnitude of the horizontal force F necessary to drag block B to the left
at constant speed if A is held at rest (figure (b)).

BLOCK A

y-component nA = wA = 1.20N
 x-component vA = 0 , so T = fBA , the friction force of block B on A is
fBA = µ k nA = 0.3 (1.20N ) = 0.360N

BLOCK B

y-component nB = wA + wB = 1.20N + 3.60N = 4.80N

x-component There are two friction forces

fFB ! friction force of floor on block B, fFB = µ k nB = 0.3 ( 4.80N ) = 1.44N

fAB ! friction force of block A on B. fAB and f BA are action-reaction pair (third
law) fAB = fBA = 0.360

vB = consTant ,so using first law F = fFB + fAB = 0.360N + 1.44N

Problem 5
In the figure below two blocks connected by a rope slides down an incline, where the
coefficient of kinetic friction between the 4kg box and the incline is 0.25 and between the
8kg box and the incline is 0.35. What is the acceleration of the boxes and the tension in
the rope? What happens if the positions of the boxes are exchanged?
 mA = 8 kg

mA = 4 kg

30°

FREE-BODY
FREE-BODY DIAGRAM of B
DIAGRAM of A
+y
+y

nA fA nB fB
T T
a
a

30° WA
WB
+x 30°
+x

(a) First note that the friction between block A and the incline ( µ kA = 0.25 ) is less than
between block B and the incline ( µ kB = 0.35 ). In the absence of the rope, block A will
accelerate down the incline at a greater rate than block B. So their acceleration will not be
the same. But since the blocks are attached by a rope, the rope will become taut, and, as
shown in the diagram, the tension T will pull block A up decreasing the acceleration rate,
and pull block B down increasing its acceleration rate. In the end both blocks will have
the same acceleration.
For block A:
y-component, Fynet = nA ! WAx = 0 " nA = mA g cos 30! = 4kg ( 9.8m / s 2 ) 0.87 = 34N
fA = µ kA nA = ( 0.25 ) ( 34N ) = 8.49N
x-component, Fxnet = WAx ! fA ! T = mA a " mA g sin 30! ! 8.5N ! T = 4a
( 4.0kg ) ( 9.8m / s 2 ) 0.5 ! 8.5N ! T = 4a " 4a + T = 11.1 , (1)
where units are omitted for simplification.
For block B:
y-component, Fynet = nB ! WAx = 0 " nB = mB g cos 30! = 8kg ( 9.8m / s 2 ) 0.87 = 68N
fB = µ kB nB = ( 0.35 ) ( 68N ) = 23.8N
x-component, Fxnet = WBx ! fB + T = mB a " mB g sin 30! ! 23.8N + T = 8a
( 8.0kg ) ( 9.8m / s 2 ) 0.5 ! 23.8N + T = 8a " 8a + T = 15.4 , (2)
where units are omitted for simplification.
Add (1) and (2) 12a = 26.5 ! a = 2.21m / s 2

(b)
Using (1) 4a + T = 11.1 ! T = 11.1N " ( 4kg ) ( 2.21m / s 2 ) = 2.26N
Using (2) 8a ! T = 15.4 " T = ( 8kg ) ( 2.21m / s 2 ) ! 15.4N = 2.26N

(c) If the positions of the blocks were reversed, block B will be at lower position will
accelerate at a lower rate than block A, and the rope will be slack.

Work-Energy

Problem 6
A worker pushes a 30.0 kg crate a distance of 4.5m by pushing with a downward force at
an angle of 30! below the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the crate and the
floor is 0.25. What magnitude of force must be applied to keep the crate moving at
constant velocity? How much work is done by this force after the crate has been pushed
4.5m? How much work is done by friction? What is the total work done by the crate?
F
y
n
v
30°

x 30.0 kg ƒk

mg

(A) y-component FyNET = n ! F sin 30! ! mg = 0 " n =

F
2
( ) F
+ ( 30kg ) 9.8m / s 2 = + 294N
2
!F $ !F $ F
Friction fk = µ k n = µ k # + 294N & = 0.25 # + 294N & = + 73.5N
"2 % "2 % 8
F
x-component FxNET = F cos 30! ! fk = 0 " F cos 30! ! ! 73.5N = 0 " 0.741F = 73.5N
8
F = 99.2 N.
F 99.2N
Using the above fk = + 73.5N = + 73.5N = 85.9N .
8 8
(B) WA = Fx ( 4.5m ) = F cos 30! ( 4.5m ) = ( 99.2N ) ( 0.866 ) ( 4.5m ) = 387J . WA > 0 since the x-
component of the applied force is in the direction of displacement.
(C) W f = ! fk ( 4.5m ) = ! ( 85.9N ) ( 4.5m ) = !387J . Wf < 0 since the friction force is in the
opposite direction of displacement.

(D) The normal force and gravity is perpendicular to the direction of motion, so the work
done by these forces are zero.

(E) The total work done is WT = WA + W f = 387J ! 387J = 0. Note here that by the work-
energy theorem is W = !K = 0, and there is no change in kinetic energy of the box (the
speed of the box remains constant).

Problem 7
In the diagram below a force is applied on a 10.0kg crate moving in a straight line (the x
axis). Calculate the work done from a) x = 0 to x = 8.0 m; b) x = 8 m to x = 12.0 m; c) x
= 0 to x = 12.0 m.

As discussed in class for 1D motion, given an Fx vs. x graph the work done is the area
under the curve.

(A) For the interval from x = 0 m to x = 8.0 m, the work done is the area of triangle
1 1
A, W = ( height ) (width) = (10N ) ( 8.0m ! 0m ) = 40J.
2 2
(B) For the interval from x = 8.0 m to x = 12.0 m, the work done is the area of
1 1
triangle B, W = ( height ) (width) = (10N ) (12.0m ! 8.0m ) = 20J.
2 2
(C) For the interval from x = 0.0 m to x = 12.0 m, the work done is the area of
1 1
triangle A + B, W = ( height ) (width) = (10N ) (12.0m ! 0.0m ) = 60J.
2 2
Problem 8
In the diagram below, a 5kg box with initial speed of v0 = 6m / s collides and compresses a
mass-less spring with k = 500N/m. There is no friction. Calculate the maximum distance
the spring is compressed. If the spring is compressed by no more than 0.150 m what is
the initial speed v0 = ?

v0 = 6.00 m/s
Spring is at
equilibrium
position
x0 = 0

v1 = 0 Spring at maximum
compressed
x1

(A) Use the work-energy theorem, W = !K , where W is the work done on the box
(by the spring) and ΔK is the change in the kinetic energy:
$1 1 ' 1 1 1 1
W = !K " # & kx12 # kx02 ) = mv12 # mv02 " # kx12 = # mv02
%2 2 ( 2 2 2 2
mv02 ( 5.00kg ) ( 6.00m / s )2
x1 = = = 0.60m
k 500N / m
(B) If the spring is compressed by 0.150 m (x1 = 0.150 m), find v0 =?. Again
$1 1 ' 1 1 1 1
W = !K " # & kx12 # kx02 ) = mv12 # mv02 " # kx12 = # mv02
%2 2 ( 2 2 2 2
kx12 ( 500N / m ) ( 0.150m )2
v0 = = = 1.5m / s
m 5.00kg

Problem 9
In the diagram below the coefficient of kinetic friction between the table and the 8kg
crate is 0.250. Use the work energy theorem to calculate the speed of the 6kg block after
it has fallen 1.50 m.

Consider the system below

If the blocks is released from rest find the speed of the blocks after the 6.00 kg block has
descended 1.50 m. µ k = 0.250 .This problem can be solved by combining Newton’s law
and kinematic equations, but it is easiest to use the work-energy method:
• Note that the work done by the tension T on the 8.00 kg block is positive and is
equal in magnitude to work done by the tension T on the 6.00 kg block, which is
negative. So the work done by the tension T in the rope is zero. Make sure you
understand this.
• Hence we need only consider the work done by the friction f k and gravitational
force, mg.
Work done by friction on 8 kg block is
( )
! fk s = !mgµ k s = ! ( 8.00kg ) 9.8m / s 2 ( 0.250 ) (1.50m ) = !29.4J
Work done by gravitational force on 6.00 kg block is
( )
mgs = ( 6.00kg ) 9.8m / s 2 (1.50m ) = 88.2J
The total work done on the system is
W = mgs ! fs s = 88.2J ! 29.4J = 58.8J
Using the work-energy theorem and the fact that the initial speeds are zero
1 2 2W
W = !K = mvF vF =
2 m
Since the 8.00 kg and 6.00 kg blocks move together with the same speed, m is the
combined mass of the 6.00 kg and 8.00 kg block. Hence m = 14.00kg. Again make sure
you understand this. So we obtain
2 ( 58.8J )
vF = = 2.89m / s
14.00kg

Problem 10
Power of the Human Heart. The human heart is a powerful and extremely reliable
pump. Each day it takes in and discharges about 7500 L of blood. Assume that the work
done by the heart is equal to the work required to lift this amount of blood a height equal
to that of the average American female (1.63 m). The density (mass per unit volume) of
blood is 1.05 × 103 kg/m3. A) How much work is done by the heart in a day? B) Calculate
the power in watts.
A) We know that 1L = 10 !3 m 3 . In term of mass, this is equal to
" m3 % " 3 kg %
m = ( 7500L ) $ 10 !3 ' $# 1.05 ( 10 3 '& = 7.88 ( 10 kg of blood.
3

# L & m
To transport this amount of blood 1.63 m upward, the heart must perform
( )( )
W = mgh = 7.88 ! 10 3 kg 9.8m / s 2 (1.63m ) = 1.26 ! 10 5 J

hr min s
B) In one day there is 1day ! 24 ! 60 ! 60 = 86400s
day hr min
1.26 ! 10 5 J
So the average power output of the heart is Pav = = 1.46watt .
86400s

Problem 11
In diagram below a 65 kg bucket of concrete hangs from a cable connected to a 80 kg box
with 50 kg of gravel on top. The friction between the box and the floor is as shown. A) If
the system is at rest find the friction force on the box and the tension in the rope. B) If the
gravel were removed the bucket will start to move down. Find the speed of the bucket
after it has descended 2 m.
 C a
The rope is
massless and
B there is no
friction in the
pulley
A

(A) Free Body diagram on object A (bucket)

System at equilibrium (at rest) so net force is zero
T FyNET = T – mAg = 0
T = mA g + mA a
= (65.0 kg)(9.8 m/s2)
mA g a T = 637 N

Free-Body diagram on composite B+C object (box + bag of gravel)

y-component
+y Using Newton’s first law
+x n = (mB+mC)g
x-component
n fs < nµs = (mB+mC)gµs = (80kg+50kg)(9.8m/s2)(0.7) = 892 N
System at equilibrium so net force must be zero
FxNET = T – fs = 0
Since the tension is less than the maximum value of static
fs mBg T friction, T = 637 N < 892 N = nµs, friction equals the tension
mCg fs = T = 637 N

Since the bag of gravel rest on the box without moving the friction force, the only force
that can act on it, on it is zero.
(B) If the gravel were removed, there would not be enough friction to keep the box
stationary. The box and the bucket will move downward and leftward respectively.
v1 = 0 d=2m v2 = ?

B B
fk

A v1 = 0,
U1grav = mgd
d=2m
v2 = ?,
A U2grav = 0
Use conservation of total energy with position 1 and 2 the initial and final positions.
U1grav + K1 + Wother = U 2grav + K 2 , where Wother = ! fk d is the negative work done by the kinetic
(the box is now moving) force of friction, fk = nµk, but now the gravel is no longer on
top of the box so n = mBg and fk = mBg µk = (80kg)(9.8m/s2)(0.4) = 313.6 N.
Hence Wother = ! fk d = ! ( 313.6N ) ( 2.0m ) = !627.2J . Using above diagram, this gives
1
U1grav + K1 + Wother = U 2grav + K 2 ! mA gd + 0 " 627.2J = 0 +( mA + mB ) v22
2

( ) 1
( 65kg ) 9.8m / s 2 ( 2m ) ! 627.2J = ( 65kg + 80kg ) v22 " v2 =
2
646.8J
72.5kg
= 2.99m / s

Problem 12
In diagram below a 0.5kg block is connected to a spring (k = 40 N/m) at equilibrium 0.6
m from a wall. A 20N force pulls the block as shown. There is no friction. A) When the
block is 0.25m form equilibrium, what is its speed? B) The block is then let go. How
close to the wall does the block get?

(A) Diagram below illustrates what happens.

F = 20 N Position 1
initial 1
v1 = 0 Spring at equilibrium U1e = kx12 = 0
2
0.060m No Kinetic Energy K1 = 0
x1 = 0 F = 20 N
Position 2
final 1
Spring PE U 2e = kx22
2
v2 = ? 1
Kinetic Energy K 2 = mv22
0.85m 2
x2 = 0.25 m
Use conservation of energy:
U1e + K1 + Wother = U 2e + K 2 , with Wother = F ( x2 ! x1 ) being the work done by the 20N force in
moving the box 0.25 m to the right: Wother = 20 N (0.25m ) = 5J .
 1 2 1 2
U1e + K1 + Wother = U 2e + K 2 ! 0 + 0 + 5J = kx2 + mv2
2 2
2 ( 5J ) k 2 2 ( 5J ) 40N / m m
v2 = ! x2 = v2 = ! ( 0.25m )2 = 3.87
m m 0.5kg 0.5kg s
(B) Diagram below illustrates what happens.

Position 1: spring at equilibrium

0.060m x1 = 0
x1 = 0
Position 2
initial 1 2
Spring PE U 2e = kx2
2
0.85m v2 = 3.87 m/s 1
Kinetic Energy K 2 = mv22
x2 = 0.25 m 2

Position 3
v3 = 0 1 2
final Spring PE U 3e = kx3
2
1
d x3 Kinetic Energy K 3 = mv32 = 0
2
x3 = ? is actually to the left of x1 = ? Hence, the spring will be compressed

Use conservation of energy between positions 2 and 3 (there is no Wother )

1 2 1 2 1 2
U 2e + K 2 + = U 3e + K 3 !
kx2 + mv2 = kx3 + 0
2 2 2
m 0.5kg
x3 = x22 + v22 = v2 = ( 0.25m ) + ( 3.87m / s )2 = 0.5m
2

k 40N / m
From the diagrams, d = 0.6m ! x3 = 0.1m . The box reaches 0.1m from the wall.