Newton’s Laws OF Motions

Firs Law. A body remains in a state of rest or constant velocity (zero acceleration)
when left to itself, with external force acting on it. This is,
a= 0 when F= 0
Second Law. The total force on a body is the product of the mass of the body times the
accelerations:
F= Ma
This is the fundamental law of classical mechanics and it is valid for an observer
stationed in an unaccelerated reference frame. Such a reference frame is called an inertial
reference frame or inertial reference system. The existence of an inertial reference system
suggests a difficult and unanswered question: what effect does all of the other matter in the
universe have upon an experiment done in a terrestrial laboratory?
Newton expressed this question and his own answer in a picturesque way. Consider a
bucket of water. If we rotate the bucket relative to the stars, the water surface takes a
parabolic shape; on this everyone would agree. But suppose that instead of rotating the
bucket we somehow rotate the stars about the bucket so that the relative motions is the
same. Newton’s belief was that the surface would be flat. This viewpoint gives a
significance to absolute rotation and absolute acceleration. What we know empirically is
that all the phenomena of the rotating bucket of water can be completely described and
correlated with the results of local measurements in the laboratory, with no reference
whatever to the stars.
The opposite point of view, that only acceleration relative to the fixed stars has
significance, is a conjecture commonly called Mach’s principle. Although there is neither
experimental confirmation nor objection to this point of view, some physicists, including
Einstein, have found this principle attractive a priori.
Third Law. Whenever tow bodies interact, the force F 1·2 on the second body (2)
Due to the first (1) equal and opposite to the force F 2·1 on the first (1) due to the second
(2) :
F 1·2 = - F 2·1
There are inherent limitations to the validity of the third law. It is considered that all
signals or forces have a finite propagation velocity. The third law, however, states that F
1·2 is equal and opposite to F 2·1 when both are measured at the same time. This
requirement is inconsistent whit the finite time interval required for one particle to feel the
force the second particle is exerting. In atomic collisions the third law is therefore not
always a good approximation.
Word List

to state – ed – ed = a stabili, a enunta, a declara

rest = repaos
stationed = plasat
reference farme, s = cadru de referinata
inertia = inertie, forta de inertie
bucket, s = caldare
shape, s = forma
flat = plat
viewpoint, s = punc de vedere
conjecture, s = presupunere, ipoteza
inherent = inerent, propriu ( cu dat .) intrinsec
inconsistent with = necorespunzator cu , in discordanta cu
finite = finit
to exert – ed –ed = a exercita
collision, s =coliziune, ciocnire
to probe –ed – ed into = a cerceta, a examina
validity = valabilitate

Notes to the text

1. “f” change into “v”

a. belief – to believe
relief – to relive ( usurare – a usura )
b. life – lives
leaf – leaves
shelf – shelves ( rafturi )
half – halves
loaf – loaves ( faranzele )
wife – wives

2. Synonyms :
- due to
datorita - owing to
- thanks to

Examples : Thermal agitation of particles is thus caused , due to the temperature

applied.
The experiment has failed owing to certain unforeseen circumstances.
We know so much about the world around us thanks to the untiring efforts of many
generations of scientists who have probed into its secrets.
 Pattern

Impersonal statements

Se inverseaza curentul (impersonal ) → One reverses the current .

→ The current is reversed.

Ex. 1. Comprehension check up

A. 1. What does Newton’s first law of motion state?
2. What does Newton’s second law of motion state?
3. What question does the existence of an inertial referential frame suggest?
4. What was Newton’s third law of motion state?
6. Which are the inherent limitations of Newton’s third law?

B. What words are used in the text for : not interfered with, multiplied by, with respect
to, supposition, take a certain shape, not in keeping with, overall, opinion, usually.
C. Are the fallowing statements true or false? Give reasons for your answers.
Bodies are always at rest.
Bodies on which no external forces are acting are at rest.
The acceleration produced is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional
to the mass.
The natural tendency of a body is to move along a straight line.
Newton’s laws of motion only apply to the motions of bodies on the earth.
Any body tends to keep its state of motion if meets whit no interference.
If we interfere with moving body it will necessarily be deflected from its course.
There is never just one force in any given situations.

Ex. 2. Translate the fallowing sentences into English according to the model:
Se masoara viteza corplui → One measures the speed of the body.
→ The speed of the body is measured.
1. Ca ipoteza primara s-a presupus conservarea energiei si masei intr-o ciocnire.
2. Se pune la indoiala valabilitatea acestor legi raportate la diferite cadre de
referinta.
3. S-a folosit legea conservarii mesei in sensul cel mai general.
4. S-ar putea folosi aceleasi metode pentru a deduce (derive ) ecuatia de mai sus.
5. Se aplica legea conseravrii momentului la ciocnirea a doua corpuri.

Ex. 3. Translate the following text into Romanian after having used the correct form of the
verbs within Brackets :
If a bucket (to suspend )by a long cord, (to be) so often ( to turn) about that finally the
cord ( to be) strongly twisted and then (to be filled) with water and ( to hold) at rest together
with the water ; and afterwards by the actions of a second force, it (to be set whirling ) about
the contrary way, and ( to continue ) while the cord (to untwist ) itself, for some time in this
motion, the surface of the water ( to be ) at first level, just as it (to be) before the vessel (to
begin) to move; but subsequently, the vessel, by gradually (to communicate) it’s a motion to
the water (to make) it begin sensibly (to rotate) and the water (to recede) little by little from
the middle and (to rise) up at the sides of the vessel, its surface (to assume) a concave from.
Newton “Principia Matematica, quoted in Mechanics.
Berkeley physics course. Vol. 1 Charles Kitted, Walter D. Knight,
Malvin A. Ruderman. Mc. Graw Hill Book Company 1965

Ex. 4. Transform the following sentences according to the model :

If the problem has a solution, you will find it →

If the problem had a solution you would find it.

The body remains at rest if no force acts upon it.

The water surface will be flat if we rotate the stars.
If we act upon the body, its motion will be accelerated.
If we rotated the bucket relative to the stars, the water surface will have a parabolic
shape.
If we press a stone with the finger, the stone will press back with an equal but opposite
force.
If the oars press the water backward, the boat can go forward.
If a collision takes place, both bodies are deflected from their course.
If the mass of the body is bigger, the acceleration will be greater.

Ex . 5. Give further examples of cases in which Newton’s tired law applies.