N O T E

Newton’s Second Law for Systems with Variable

Mass
David Chandler, Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave., Porterville, CA 93257; dchandle@pc.cc.ca.us

T he usual model used to illus-

trate variable-mass problems is
a rocket. A rocket is a familiar
enough motivating example, but it is
a poor example to use in the actual
derivation because it introduces a
confusing mixture of positive and
negative signs. In the rocket problem,
dm


is negative, the velocity vrel of
dt
the exhaust is negative and measured
relative to the rocket, whereas the Fig. 1. Momentum is transferred into the system as mass is added. Other external forces may also
thrust is positive. The derivation act on the system.
would be a lot cleaner if an example
were used with all positive terms.
down a hill, friction, etc. We combine appears on the right side of the equa-
My model, for derivation purpos-
all such forces together under the tion as part of the change of momen-
es, is a wagon being filled and pro-
heading FEXT. The net force acting um of the system. This is usually one
pelled by water coming from a hose
of the sticking points for students in
(see Fig. 1). The system consists of on the system is therefore FEXT
dpw traditional derivations, but in this der-
the wagon and the water it is carrying
at the moment. (I point out at the start +
, so Newton’s second law be- ivation the terms arrive at their cor-
dt rect places in the equation very natu-
that only the horizontal component of dpw dpsys rally.
momentum is under consideration.) comes FEXT +
=

. If the dm dv
The water from the hose adds to the dt dt The equation FEXT + u

= m


mass of the system at the positive rate the speed of the in-flowing water is u dm dt dt
dm (a constant speed measured relative + v

is useful “as is” for problems


. The entering water has its own dt
dt to the ground) and the instantaneous where all velocities are measured
momentum, so as it crosses the sys- speed of the wagon is v, then expand- with respect to the ground. If relative
tem boundary it transfers momentum dp velocities are used, as in rocket prob-
ing the two

terms yields:
dpw dt dm
into the system at the rate

. In a dm dv dm lems, the two

terms can be com-
dt FEXT + u

= m

+ v

. dt dm dv
calculus-based course, Newton’s sec- dt dt dt bined, FEXT + (u – v)

= m

, and
dpw dt dt
ond law would already have been (The expansion of

on the left
dp dt vrel = u – v can be introduced, yield-
introduced in the form F =

, so produces only a single term because dm dv
dpw dt ing FEXT + vrel

= m

. For rock-


is easily recognizable as a force the speed u of the water is taken to be dt dt
dt constant.) At this point it is worth et problems, the second term on the
acting on the system. There may be dm left is interpreted as thrust. Since for
other forces acting besides the water pausing to notice that u

appears dm
dt rockets vrel is negative and

is
flow, such as a rope pulling on the on the left side of the equation as a dt
wagon, gravity pulling the wagon dm negative, the thrust is positive.
force on the system, whereas v


dt

396 THE PHYSICS TEACHER Vol. 38, Oct. 2000 Newton’s Second Law for Systems with Variable Mass