CHAPTER 4:

FORCES
(5 Hours)

Learning Outcome:
4.1 Basic of forces and free body diagram (2
hours)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

Identify the forces acting on a body in different
situations:

Weight
Tension
Normal Force
Friction

Determine weight, static friction and kinetic

friction.
Draw free body diagram.
Determine the resultant force.
2

4.1.1 Basic of Forces

A Force is an agent that produces or tends to change
the acceleration in an object.

An object moving with a variable speed in a straight li

is accelerating because the magnitude of the velocity i
changing . Force is required to produce this acceleratio

Force has magnitude and direction, it is a vector quant

If several forces acts simultaneously on the same objec

the net force that determines the motion of the object.
net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on th
and it is often called resultant force.
3


Weight (Force),
W
Weight is defined as the force with which a
body is attracted towards the center of the
earth.
It is dependant on where it is measured,
measured because
the
value of g varies at different localities on the
It always directed toward the centre of the earth or in
earths surface.
surface
the same direction of acceleration due to gravity, g.

It is a vector quantity.
quantity
The S.I. unit is kg m s-2 or
Newton (N).
(N)

Equation:

W mg

figure 4.1.1
W

All the W pointing downward as shown in figure 4.1.1

5


Tension, T

Tension is the magnitude of the pulling force exerted b

string , on another object. (figure 4.1.2)

Measured in Newton and is always parallel to the string

which it applies.
Single string system:
T
m1

m1

m1

Figure 4.1.2
6

Single string system (smooth pulley)

T

T
T

The tension T acts for the whole

one string but it will be different
if it acts on different masses, T1
and T2 as shown in fig 4.1.3 and
fig 4.1.4

T
Fig 4.1.3

m1

Multiple string system

m1 T 1

T1 m T2 T2
2
Fig 4.1.4
7

Multiple string system (inclined plane)

T2
T2
T2

m1

T 1 T1

T1
T1

T2

m3

T3

m2

T3
T3
T3

m4
fig 4.1.5

The are three different tension T1, T2 and T3

acts on different masses of m1, m2 and m3
as shown in fig 4.1.5.
8

Normal Force, N

is the contact force component , which is perpendicular to the surfa

of contact and exerted on an object by preventing the object from
penetrating the surface. (fig 4.1.6)
Surface 3

N2
N1
Surface 1

Surface 2

m2

N3

m3

m1

Fig 4.1.6
9


Frictional force,f
is defined as a force that resists the motion of one
surface relative to another with which it is in contact.
contact
is independent of the area of contact between the two
surfaces
is directly proportional to the reaction
force.
force
where

f N

f N

f : frictional force

: coefficient of friction
Coefficient of friction,
is defined as the ratio between frictional force to
normal
force.
is dimensionless
and depends on the nature of the
10
surfaces.

fs

N
F

W
Block at rest

N
F

fs = max

W
Block about to slide

fk

W
Block is sliding

Figure 4.1.7

There are three different stages of friction acts on

a block which are going to slide as shown in figure
4.1.7.
11

There are three types of frictional force :

Static, fs (frictional force act on the object before its

move)
move f (frictional force act on the object when
Kinetic,
k

its move)
move
Rolling, fr (frictional force act on the object when
its rolling)
rolling

f s s N

f k k N

f r r N

Can be ignored
where
thus

fr fk fs
r k s

12

Caution:
The direction of the frictional force exerted by a
surface on an object is always in the opposite
direction of the motion
The frictional and the reaction forces are always
perpendicular

13

Free Body Diagram

The free body diagram of a body shows the body
alone with
all
the external forces on it.
Using the free body diagram, the resultant forces in the
orthogonal directions are then determined.

A single point may represent the object.

A free body diagram for the object in fig 4.1.8 is shown

N
N
F1

F2
f
W

Figure 4.1.8

F2

F1
W

Figure 4.1.9

14

The magnitude of resultant force will contributes to the

motion of the block in any direction.

Let assume that the motion of the block is within the x

and no motion in the y-axis.
Therefore, the total force at y-axis is equal zero,
as Fy = 0 .
For x-axis , the resultant force that causes the
motion need
For y-axis (no motion /
to be determined.
static)
Fy = 0 .
NW=0
15

First case ; The block moves to the

right.
For x-axis:
Fx = +F1 F2 - f .
the resultant force:
FR = +F1 F2 - f
Second case ; The block moves to the
left.
For x-axis:
Fx = + F2 + f - F1 .
the resultant force:

FR = + F2 + f -

16

Example 4.1
Consider a system of four blocks as shown in figure 4.1.10
Draw a free body diagram for each masses and find
the resultant force FR.
T2
T2
T2

m1

T 1 T1

T1
T1

T2

m3

T3

m2

T3
T3
T3

m4
fig 4.1.10

17

Solution:

For m1

N1
y
x

T1

w1
a) Assume that m1 moves to the right.
For x-axis :
Fx =
+T1
For y-axis :
Fy = 0

The resultant force FR = +T1

N1 - W 1 =
0

N 1 = W1
18

Solution:

For m2
y
T1

N2

W2 cos

W2

T2

W2 sin

a) Assume that m2 moves to the right.

For x-axis :
Fx = +T2 - T1 - W2
The resultant force
FR = +T2 - T1 - W2 cos
cos
For y-axis :
Fy = 0
N2 - W2 sin
N 2 = W2
=0
sin

19

Solution:

For m3

N3
y

T2

T3

W3
a) Assume that m3 moves to the right.
For x-axis :
Fx = +T3 The resultant force FR =
T2
+T3 - T2
For y-axis :
Fy = 0
N3 - W 3= 0
N3 = W 3
20

Solution:

For m4

T3
y
x
W4

a) Assume that m4 moves downward.

For x-axis :
Fx = 0
For y-axis :
Fy = W4 - T3

No motion along x-axis

The resultant force FR = W4 - T3
21

Exercise 4.1 :
1. A 10.0 kg block is connected to a 5.0 kg block on a table. They were
connected by inextensible string that passes trough a smooth pulley.

T is the tension in the string, and the friction between the 5.0 kg block
and the table is f.
T

5.0 kg

10.0 kg
table

Figure 4.1.11

a) Draw free body diagrams for each of the blocks.

b) Use the free body diagram to find the resultant force on each of the
blocks in terms of T and f.
22

Learning Outcome:

4.2 Newton's Law of Motion(3 hours)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able
to:
State Newtons First Law
Define mass as a measure of inertia.
Define the equilibrium of a particle.
Apply Newtons First Law in equilibrium of forces.
State and apply Newtons Second Law.

d
dv
dm
F mv v
m
dt
dt
dt
State and apply Newtons Third Law.
23

4.2 Newtons laws of

motion
Newtons first law of motion
states an object at rest will remain at rest, or
continues to move with uniform velocity in a straight
line unless it is acted upon by a external forces
forces

Fnett F 0
The first law gives the idea of inertia.
Inertia
is defined as the tendency of an object to resist any
change
in its state of rest or motion.
motion
is a scalar quantity.
24

 Figures 4.2a and 4.2b show the examples of real

experience of inertia.

Figure 4.2 (a)

Figure 4.2 (b)

25

Equilibrium of object /
particle
Equilibrium of object / particle occurs when the net
force exerted on it is zero.
The resultant of forces is zero. (Translational
equilibrium)

F 0

Newtons 1st law of motion

Example
4.2.1 :
Figure 4.2.1 shows a system that is in equilibrium.
Let T1 = 30 N and = 400 . Calculate T2 and W.

26

Solution :

T2

For x-component
T1

Fx = 0
=

Figure 4.2.1
W
For y-component
Fy = 0
27

Example
4.2.2 :
The system below is in equilibrium and the pulley is frict

(d) Determine the angle

(a) Draw and label a

free body diagram at
point P.
(b) Write the total
vertical force exerted
on point P.
(c)Write
the
total
horizontal
force
exerted on point P.

(e) Find the tension in each rope.

(f) What is the mass of the block C.
28

(a) The free body diagram at point P.

TA cos

TA

TC

TA sin

TB

(b) Total vertical force exerted on point P = 0.

29

(c) Total horizontal force exerted on point P = 0.

(d) The angle

(e) The tension in each

rope.

(f) The mass of the block C.

30

State and apply Newtons Second Law.

states the rate of change of linear momentum of a
moving body
is proportional to the resultant force and is in the
same direction

as the force acting on it

it

dp
its can be represented by F
dt
where

F : resultant force
dp : Change in
momentum

dt : time interval

31

From the Newtons 2nd law of motion, it also can be

written as
dp

F dt

and

p mv

d mv
F dt

dm
dv
F v dt m dt

Case 1:
Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity
but with changing mass.
mass For example : Rocket

dm
dv
F v
m
dt
dt

and

dv
0
dt

dm
F v dt
32

Case 2:
Object at rest or in motion with constant velocity
and constant mass.
mass

Thus

dm
dv
F v
m
dt
dt

F 0

where

dm
0
dt

and

dv
0
dt

Newtons 1st law of motion

dp
F dt 0

p constant

33

Case 3:
Object with constant mass but changing velocity.
velocity

dm
dv
F v
m
dt
dt

dv
F m
dt

and

and

F ma

where

dm
0
dt

dv
a
dt

F : resultant force

m : mass of an object
a : acceleration

The direction of the resultant force always in the same

direction of the motion or acceleration
34

Newtons 2nd law of motion restates that The

acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the

nett force acting on it and inversely proportional

to its
F

mass.
mass
a

One newton(1 N) is defined as the amount of nett

force that gives an acceleration of one metre per
second squared to a body with a mass of one
-2
kilogramme.
1
N
=
1
kg
m
s
kilogramme

F is a nett force or effective force or resultant

force.
The force which causes the motion of an
object.act on an object and the object
If the forces

moving at uniform acceleration (not at rest or

not in the equilibrium)

hence
F
F ma
nett

35

Example 4.2.3 :
Three wooden blocks connected by a rope of
negligible mass are being dragged by a
4.2.2

horizontal force, F in Figure

m1

T1

m2

T2

m3

Figure 4.2,2

Suppose that F = 1000 N, m1 = 3 kg, m2 = 15 kg

and m3 = 30 kg. Determine
a. the acceleration of blocks system.
b. the tension of the rope, T1 and T2.
Neglect the friction between the floor and the
wooden blocks.
36

Solution :
a. For the block, m1 = 3 kg

m1

T1
(1)

For the block,m2 = 15 kg

T1

m2

T2
(2)

For the block, m3 = 30 kg

T2

m3

(3)
37

Solution :
a. By substituting eq. (3) into eq. (2) thus
(4)
Eq. (1)(4) :

b. By substituting the value of acceleration into equations (4) and

(3), therefore

38

Example 4.2.4 :
Two objects of masses m1 = 10 kg and m2 = 15 kg are connected
by a light string which passes over a smooth pulley as shown in
Figure 4.2.3. Calculate
a. the acceleration of the object of mass 10 kg.
b. the tension in the each string.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
Solution :
a. For the object m1= 10 kg,

T1

where

Simulation 4.1

m1
m2
Figure 4.2.3

(1)

W1 m1 g

39

Solution :
a. For the object m2= 15 kg,

T2

(2)
Eq. (1) + (2) :

W2 m2 g
b. Substitute the value of acceleration into equation (1) thus

Therefore
40

Example 4.2.5 :
Two blocks, A of mass 10 kg and B of mass 30 kg, are side by side
and in contact with each another. They are pushed along a smooth
floor under the action of a constant force F of magnitude 200 N
applied to A as shown in Figure 4.2.4. Determine
a. the acceleration of the blocks,
B
A
F
b. the force exerted by A on B.
Figure 4.2.4

Solution :

m A 10 kg; mB 30 kg; F 200 N

a. Let the acceleration of the blocks is a. Therefore

41

Solution :
b. For the object
A,

FBA

From the Newtons 3rd law, thus

OR
For the objectB,

FAB

B
42

Exercise 4.2.1 :
1. A block is dragged by forces, F1 and F2 of the magnitude
20 N and 30 N respectively as shown in Figure 4.2.5. The
frictional force f exerted on the block is 5 N. If the weight of
the block is 200 N and it is move horizontally, determine the
acceleration of the block.

(Given g = 9.81 m s2)

F1

50

20

F2

Figure 4.2.5

ANS. : 1.77 m s2

43

Exercise 4.2.2 :
2. One 3.5 kg paint bucket is hanging by a massless
cord from another 3.5 kg paint bucket, also hanging
by a massless cord as shown in Figure 4.2.6. If the
two buckets are pulled upward with an
acceleration of 1.60 m s2 by the upper cord,
calculate the tension in each cord.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)

Figure 4.2.6

ANS. : 39.9 N; 79.8 N44

Newtons third law of motion

states every action force has a reaction force that is
equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
direction
For example :
When the student push on the wall it will push back with
the same force. (refer to Figure 4.2.1)
B (wall)

FBA

A (hand)

Where

FAB

FBA

FAB

FAB FBA

Figure 4.2.1

is a force by the hand on the wall

(action)
is a force by the wall on the hand
(reaction)

45

When a book is placed on the table. (refer to Figure

4.2.2)
Force by the table on the book (reaction)
Figure 4.2.2

Force by the book on the table (action)

If a car is accelerating forward, it is because its tyres

are pushing backward on the road and the road is
pushing forward on the tyres.

A rocket moves forward as a result of the push exerted on it

by the exhaust gases which the rocket has pushed out.

In all cases when two bodies interact, the action and

reaction
forces act on different bodies.
bodies
46

Apparent weight

The motion of an elevator can give rise to the

sensation
of being heavier or lighter.
The force exerted on our feet by the floor of the
elevator.
If this force is greater than our weight, we felt
heavier, if less than our weight , we felt lighter.

47

Case 1 : Motion of a lift

Consider a person standing inside a lift as
shown in Figures 4.2.7a, 4.2.7b and 4.2.7c.
a. Lift moving upward at a uniform velocity

Since the lift moving at a

uniform velocity, thus

ay 0

Therefore

0
N mg 0
y

Figure 4.2.7a

W mg

N mg
48

b. Lift moving upwards at a constant acceleration, a

By applying the
newtons 2nd law of
motion, thus

ma y

N mg ma

N m a g

Figure 4.2.7b

W mg
49

c. Lift moving downwards at a constant

acceleration, a
By applying the
newtons 2nd law of
motion, thus

a
Figure 4.2.7c

ma y

mg N ma
N m g a

W mg

Caution : N is also known as apparent weight and

W is true weight.
weight
50

Case 2 : An object on Horizontal surface

Consider a box of mass m is pulled along a horizontal
surface by a horizontal force, F as shown in Figure
4.2.8

f
Figure 4.2.8

y-component :

mg

Fnett ma

x-component :

F f ma

N mg
51

Case 3 : An object on an inclined plane

Consider a box of mass m is pulled along an inclined
plane by a force, F as shown in Figure 4.2.9.

Wx

Figure 4.2.9

Wy

W mg

52

x-component (parallel to the inclined

plane) :

ma

F Wx f ma
F ma mg sin f

y-component (perpendicular to the inclined

plane):

N Wy 0

N mg cos

53

Example 4.2.6 :
30

Figure 4.2.10

A box of mass 20 kg is on a rough horizontal

plane. The box is pulled by a force, F which is
applied at an angle of 30 above horizontal as
shown in Figure 4.2.10. If the coefficient of static
friction between the box and the plane is 0.3 and
the box moves at a constant speed, calculate
a. the normal reaction force,
b. the applied force F,
c. the static friction force.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)

54

Solution :

m 20 kg; s 0.3
constant speed

fs

F sin 30

30
F cos 30

mg
a thus
0
a. Since the box moves at constant speed

x-component :

0
(1)
55

Solution : y-component :

(2)

By substituting eq. (1) into eq. (2), hence

b. Therefore the applied force is given by

c. The static
force is
f N
s

friction

56

Example
4.2.7 :

20

Figure 4.2.11

30

A block of mass 200 kg is pulled along an

inclined plane of 30 by a force, F = 2 kN as
shown in Figure 4.2.11. The coefficient of kinetic
friction of the plane is 0.4. Determine
a. the normal force,
b. the net force,
c. the acceleration of the block,
d. the time taken for the block to travel 30 m
57

Solution : m 200 kg; F 2000 N; k 0.4

F sin 20

mg sin 30

fk
30

a. y-component :

F
a

20 F cos 20

mg cos 30

30

mg
0

58

Solution :
b. The nett force is directed along the inclined plane
surface.
x-component :Fnett
Fx

c.

d.
Given
59

Exercise 4.2.3 :

Figure 4.2.12

1. A 5.00 kg object placed on a frictionless,

horizontal table is connected to a string that
passes over a pulley and then is fastened to a
hanging 9.00 kg object as in Figure 4.2.12.
a. Sketch free body diagrams of both objects,
b. Calculate the acceleration of the two objects
and the
ANS. : 6.30 m s2; 31.5 N
60
tension in the string.

Exercise 4.2.4 :
2. Two object are connected by a
light string that passes over a
frictionless pulley as in Figure
4.2.13.
The coefficient of kinetic friction
of the plane is 0.3 and m1 =
2.00 kg, m2 = 6.00 kg and =
55.
a. Sketch free body diagrams of
both objects.
b. Determine
Figure 4.2.13
i. the accelerations of the
objects,
ANS. : 2.31 m s2; 24.2 N;
1
ii. the tension in the string

61

Exercise 4.2.5 :
3. A 5.00 g bullet is fired horizontally into a 1.20 kg
wooden block resting on a horizontal surface. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between block and
surface is 0.20. The bullet remains embedded in
the block, which is observed to slide 0.230 m
along the surface before stopping. Calculate the
initial speed of the bullet.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
Tips : Use
Newtons second law of motion involving
acceleration.
Principle of conservation of linear
momentum.
ANS. : 229 m s1
Equation of motion for linear motion.

62

Exercise 4.2.6 :
4. The block shown in Figure
4.2.14, has mass, m =7.0 kg
and lies on a smooth
frictionless plane tilted at an
angle, = 22.0 to the
horizontal.
a. Determine the acceleration
of
the block as it slides down
the
plane.
Figure 4.2.14
b. If the block starts from rest
12.0 m up the plane from
ANS. : 3.68 m s2; 9.40 m s1
its
63
base, calculate the blocks

THE END
Next Chapter
CHAPTER 5 :
Work, Energy and Power