Knowledge Points

Comprehensive guides and explanations covering Newton's Law concepts and principles.

Newton's Laws of Motion

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Deep Dive: Second Law

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Apply Newton’s Laws

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Summary

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Browse Problems

35 problems tagged with Newton's Law

P0412

Beginner Mechanics › Dynamics

Accelerating Train with a Suspended Mass

Inside a train moving on a straight, level track, an object of mass $m$ is suspended by a rope. When the train accelerates forward, the rope deflects towards the rear, making a constant angle $\theta$ with the vertical.

  1. Find the acceleration of the train.
  2. Find the tension in the rope.
Newton's Law

P0424

Beginner Mechanics › Dynamics

Dynamics of a Car-Trailer System

A car of mass $m_1$ pulls a trailer of mass $m_2$ along a horizontal road. The traction force on the car is $F$. The car and trailer experience resistance forces of $f_1$ and $f_2$, respectively.

  1. Find the acceleration of the system.
  2. Find the tension force in the coupling between the car and the trailer.
Newton's Law

P0344

Intermediate Mechanics › Dynamics

Contact Force Between Two Blocks on a Smooth Surface

Two iron blocks are placed in contact on a smooth horizontal table. Their masses are $M = 3$ kg and $m = 2$ kg. Two horizontal forces are applied to the blocks. Force $F = 15$ N is directed to the right, and force $f = 10$ N is directed to the left.

  1. For the configuration shown in Figure (a), where $F$ acts on $M$ and $f$ acts on $m$, what is the contact force between the blocks?
  2. If the positions of $M$ and $m$ are swapped as shown in Figure (b), so that $F$ acts on $m$ and $f$ acts on $M$, what is the new contact force between the blocks?
Newton's Law

P0345

Intermediate Mechanics › Dynamics

Forces on a Block on a Moving Escalator

As shown in Figure, an object of mass $m$ is placed on an escalator. The object remains at rest relative to the escalator. The escalator moves upwards.

  1. When the escalator moves upwards at a constant velocity, what are the normal force and static friction force acting on the object?
  2. The escalator accelerates upwards with an acceleration of magnitude $a$. What are the normal force and static friction force acting on the object?
Newton's Law

P0351

Intermediate Mechanics › Dynamics

Maximizing Acceleration of a Block with Angled Force

As shown in Figure, an object of mass $m$ is on a horizontal ground. It is pulled by a force of constant magnitude $F$ at an angle $\theta$ with the horizontal, causing it to move to the right. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the object and the ground is $\mu$.

  1. For what angle $\theta$ does the object have the maximum acceleration?
  2. What is the value of this maximum acceleration?
Newton's Law

P0352

Intermediate Mechanics › Dynamics

Object on a Wedge in an Accelerating Elevator

On the floor of an elevator that is accelerating upwards at $a_e = 2 \text{ m/s}^2$, there is an inclined wedge A. The wedge has a length of 5 m and a height of 3 m. An object B with a mass of $m_B = 3$ kg is placed on the inclined surface of A. Both A and B are at rest relative to the elevator.

  1. Find the magnitude of the normal force exerted by B on A.
  2. Find the magnitude of the friction force exerted by B on A.
Newton's Law

P0355

Intermediate Mechanics › Dynamics

Train Acceleration and Detached Carriage Mass Ratio

The resistance force on a moving train is 0.1 times its weight. Under the traction force of the locomotive, its forward acceleration is $a_1 = 1$ m/s². Due to some carriages detaching, while the traction force remains unchanged, the train's acceleration becomes $a_2 = 2$ m/s².

Find the ratio of the mass of the detached carriages to the original mass of the train.
Newton's Law

P0357

Intermediate Mechanics › Dynamics

Two-Phase Motion Under Orthogonal Forces

An object with a mass of $m=2$ kg is on a smooth horizontal plane, initially at rest. First, a force $F_1 = 6$ N is applied to it, directed east, for $t_1 = 2$ s. After 2 s, $F_1$ is removed, and immediately a force $F_2 = 8$ N, directed south, is applied for another $t_2 = 2$ s.

Find the magnitude of the displacement of the object during these 4 seconds.
Newton's Law

P0359

Intermediate Mechanics › Dynamics

Vertical Projectile Motion with Air Resistance

An object is thrown vertically upwards with a certain initial velocity. It experiences a constant air resistance force equal to 1/5 of its weight. The total time of flight, from launch until it returns to the starting point, is 6 s.

What is the time it takes for the object to ascend to its highest point?
Newton's Law

P0364

Advanced Mechanics › Dynamics

Force for No Relative Motion in a Cart-Pulley System

As shown in the diagram, a cart with mass $M$ is on a horizontal surface. On top of the cart, there is an object with mass $m_1$. A string connects $m_1$ to another object with mass $m_2$ which hangs over a pulley attached to the cart. The known masses are $M = 51$ kg, $m_1 = 5$ kg, and $m_2 = 4$ kg. The masses of the pulley, the supporting rod, and the inextensible string are negligible. All friction at contact surfaces is also ignored. A horizontal force $F$ is applied to the cart.

What magnitude of horizontal force $F$ must be applied to the cart so that there is no relative motion between objects $m_1$ and $m_2$?
Newton's Law

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