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Applying Newtons Laws of

Motion

Solving Problems in a Systematic Way


1. Read the problem carefully and check the
definitions of any unfamiliar words
2. Draw a system diagram if the problem is
complicated. Label all relevant information.
3. Draw a FBD of the object (or group of objects)
and label all the forces. Choose the x and y
directions.
4. Calculate and label the x- and y-components of
all of the forces on the FBD.
5. Write the second-law equations, =
and =
6. Solve the resulting equations algebraically

Objects in Equilibrium
When the net force on an object is zero
Object with no net force will not accelerate
Object in equilibrium will remain at rest or
remain moving at constant velocity
When solving these types of problems draw
the FBD first and then pick the most
convenient way to set your directions (the
direction that will give you the fewest
components)

Practice Problem (Incline Plane Problem)


1. A sled has a mass of 14kg and is on a hill that
is inclined 25o to the horizontal. The hill is
very icy (negligible friction), and the sled is
held at rest by a rope attached to a post. The
rope is parallel to the hill.
a. Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the
rope.
b. Calculate the magnitude of the normal force
acting on the sled.

Practice Problem
2. A 62kg rock climber is attached to a rope that
is allowing him to hang horizontally with his
feet against the wall. The tension in the rope
is 7.1 102 , and the rope makes an angle
of 32o with the horizontal. Determine the
force exerted by the wall on the climbers
feet.

Practice Problem

Practice Problem

Accelerating Objects
If an object is not in equilibrium then it is
accelerating in some direction
You can use Newtons second law to determine
the acceleration from the net force on the object
When solving these problems set the positive xaxis in the direction of the net force
(acceleration)
If you do not know the direction of the net force
then set the positive x-axis in the direction that is
most convenient to solve the problem

Practice Problem

Practice Problem
A skier with a mass of 63kg glides with
negligible friction down a hill covered with
hard-packed snow. The hill is inclined at an
angle of 14o above the horizontal.
Determine the magnitude of the normal force on
the skier.
Determine the magnitude of the skiers
acceleration.

Practice Problem
A child on a toboggan slides down a hill with
an acceleration of magnitude 1.9/ 2 .
Friction is negligible. Determine the angle
between the hill and the horizontal.

Practice Problem
You pull a desk across a horizontal floor by
exerting a force of 82N, at an angle of 17o
above the horizontal. The normal force
exerted by the floor on the desk is 213N. The
acceleration of the desk across the floor is
0.15/ 2 .
Determine the mass of the desk.
Determine the magnitude of the friction force on
the desk.

Homework!!! (Day 1)
Pg. 92#1-7,9

Homework!!! (Day 2)
Pg. 95#1-12

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