Topic 4 Dynamics

Summary

The force of friction opposes motion.

The linear momentum p of a body is defined as the product of its mass m and its velocity v. In
1
symbols: p = mv. Momentum has units kg m s or N s. It is a vector quantity.
Newtons laws of motion are:
First law: Every body continues in its state of rest, or with uniform velocity, unless acted upon by a resultant
force.
Second law: The resultant force acting on a body is proportional to the rate of change of its momentum (this
is used to define force). In symbols: F p/t. If SI units are used F = p/t
Third law: When one body exerts a force on another body, the second body exerts an equal and opposite force
on the first body.
Newtons first and third laws of motion can also be stated in terms of momentum:
First law: The momentum of a body remains constant unless an external force acts on the body: p = constant
Third law: When two bodies exert action and reaction forces on each other, their changes of momentum are
equal and opposite.
If the mass is constant, the resultant force is equal to mass acceleration or F = ma, where force F is in
2
newtons, mass m is in kilograms and acceleration a is in m s .
The acceleration of free fall g provides the link between the mass m and the weight W of a body: W = mg
The principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of an isolated system is constant.
An isolated system is one on which no external resultant force acts.
In collisions between bodies, application of the principle of conservation of momentum shows that the total
momentum of the system before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.
An elastic collision is one in which the total kinetic energy remains the constant. In this situation, the relative
speed of approach is equal to the relative speed of separation.
An inelastic collision is one in which the total kinetic energy is not the same before and after the event.
Although kinetic energy may or may not be conserved in a collision, momentum is always conserved, and so
is total energy.
The impulse of a force F is the product of the force and the time t for which it acts: impulse = Ft
The impulse of a force acting on a body is equal to the change of momentum of the body: Ft = p
The unit of impulse is N s.

Definitions and formulae

Newtons laws of motion

1 A body continues at rest or at uniform velocity unless acted upon by a resultant force.
2 The rate of change of momentum of a body is proportional to the resultant force acting on the body and takes
place in the direction of the force.
3 If body A exerts a force on body B then body B exerts an equal and opposite force on body A.
Momentum = mass velocity
Force = rate of change of momentum
Recall and use of the relationship F = ma
Weight = mass acceleration of free fall (W = mg)

Principle of conservation of momentum

The total momentum of a system of interacting bodies remains constant provided no external forces act on
the system.
Elastic collisions: Total kinetic energy (KE) in a collision remains constant (momentum also conserved).
Relative speed of approach = relative speed of separation
Inelastic collisions: KE not conserved. KE changes to heat or internal energy
Total energy remains constant in all collisions.
Total energy (and mass) remains constant in all collisions.