Dynamics Problem Solving

Techniques
2019-09-10

www.njctl.org

http://njctl.org/video?v=Mz82po80O2I
 Table of Contents:
Dynamics Problem Solving Techniques
Click on the topic to go to that section.

· Sliding Blocks
· Fixed Axis Pulley
· Movable Pulleys
· Plumb bob in car
· The Banked Curve
· Inclined Plane and a Pulley

Move any photo or image in this presentation to reveal a link to its

source, providing attribution and additional information.
 Sliding Blocks

Return to Table
http://njctl.org/video/?v=3CV5A3afqjg of Contents
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

Block B, of mass 36 kg, is about to be pulled across the ground

by a rope with a force of Fapp. The coefficient of kinetic friction
between block B and the ground is 0.27. Block A, of mass 42 kg,
is resting on Block B with a coefficient of static friction of 0.71
between the two blocks.
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

Find the maximum force that may be applied by the rope without
causing block A to start sliding off block B.

Once someone starts pulling on the rope, what do we expect will

happen?
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

Once the static friction force between the ground and block B is
overcome, we might expect the blocks to start moving, subject to
the kinetic friction force between block B and the ground.

But there is another force that needs to be taken into

consideration.

What is it?
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

The static friction force between block A and B will act opposite
the applied force on block B.

What about block A?

 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

The applied force is NOT acting on block A.

Relative to block B, block A will either stay right where it is or

slide to the left. If block A stays where it is relative to block B, it
will move to the right relative to the ground.

If block A slides to the left on block B, it will either stay stationary

relative to the ground or will move to the right - but not as far as
the first case.

What force moves block A to the right, relative to the ground?

 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

The static friction force between blocks A and B.

Let's take two limiting cases to explain this. If μs = 0, then that

implies a frictionless surface between blocks A and B. When B is
pulled to the right, block A would just stay where it is relative to
the ground, and would slide to the left on block B.

If μs were infinitely large, then it would just stick to block B and

slide with it to the right relative to the ground.
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

We're looking for the value of Fapp where the acceleration it

provides to the system is greater than the acceleration that the
static friction force on block A can provide.

When Fapp exceeds that static friction force, block A will slide to
the left, relative to the motion of block B. And that will solve our
problem, "Find the maximum force that may be applied by the
rope without causing block A to start sliding off block B."
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

Let's formally start the problem:

Given:

where μs is between blocks A and B and μk is between block

B and the ground.

Find the maximum force that may be applied by the rope without
causing block A to start sliding off block B.

http://njctl.org/video/?v=ICLYxtGDJ7A
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

Draw the free body diagram. In this case, there are two objects of
interest, blocks A and B, so there will be two free body diagrams
(FBD).

We will show two ways of doing this!

First, we'll create free body diagrams for block A and block B, and
solve the problem.

The second method will then be shown which involves a FBD for block
A and a FBD for the system of both blocks.
 Sliding Blocks
A
B

Ground

System 1 will be block A. System 2 will be block B.

Given this starting point, try drawing free body diagrams for both
systems.

A B

System 1 System 2
 Sliding Blocks

A B

System 1 System 2

Here they are. Don't worry if you didn't get these exactly right. Each
system will be now be analyzed in detail.

FNA FNB
System 1 aA System 2 aB
fs Fapp
fs
fk

mAg mAg mBg

 Sliding Blocks
Let's look at System 1 first. A

The Normal force and the force due to

gravity are pretty straight forward. Gravity FNA
pulls down on block A (mAg), and block B aA
exerts an upwards Normal force (FNA) on
fs
block A.

Note the additional subscript on the

Normal force. That is to distinguish it from mAg
the Normal force acting on System 2.

But what of the static friction force? Why is it pointed

to the right? Doesn't the static friction force oppose
motion? Isn't block A moving to the right?
 Sliding Blocks FNA
aA
A
B fs
Ground
mAg

Static friction seeks to maintain the relative position of the objects

that are initially at rest. In most cases, this means if a force is
applied to an object in one direction, then the static friction force is
in the opposite direction.

But, here, the applied force is not on block A, it is on block B. And

for block A to maintain its position relative to block B, as block B
starts moving to the right, the static friction force acts to the right.
This results in block A staying on the right edge of block B - their
relative positions don't change.
 Sliding Blocks FNA
aA
A
B fs
Ground
mAg

Another way to look at this problem is to use your intuition. That

doesn't always work in physics, but it helps here.

If you pull block B, your experience tells you that block A will move
to the right. Maybe not as fast as block B is accelerating, but it will
move to the right. That requires a force (Newton's Second Law).
The only force available in the x direction is the static friction force
between block A and B. So, fs goes on the free body diagram
pointing to the right!
 Sliding Blocks

Time for System 2 now. B

Block A exerts a force of mAg

(gravity is pulling down on block FNB
A), and a static frictional force, fs, aB
(block A is not moving on block B)
on block B. Fapp and fk act on fs Fapp
block B.
fk
Note the additional subscript on mAg mBg
the Normal force. That is to
distinguish it from the Normal
force in System 1.
 Sliding Blocks
FNA
aA
Apply Newton's Second Law
fs to the FBDs, starting with
System 1.

mAg

x direction y direction
 Sliding Blocks
FNB
aB
B fs Fapp
System 2
fk
Now for System 2. mAg mBg
x direction

y direction
 Sliding Blocks
FNA FNB
System 1 aA System 2 aB
fs Fapp
fs
fk

mAg mAg mBg

2 Substitute Eqn 1 into Eqn 3

4
 Sliding Blocks
FNA FNB
System 1 aA System 2 aB
fs Fapp
fs
fk

mAg mAg mBg

For Block A to remain stationary

on block B, aAx = aBx = a.
 Sliding Blocks
FNA FNB
System 1 aA System 2 aB
fs Fapp
fs
fk

mAg mAg mBg

Substitute in for fk:

 Sliding Blocks
FNA FNB
System 1 aA System 2 aB
fs Fapp
fs
fk

mAg mAg mBg

For block A not to slide on block B, it needs to remain at

rest relative to block B. Start with the definition of static
friction and its application to System 1:
 Sliding Blocks
FNA FNB
System 1 aA System 2 aB
fs Fapp
fs
fk

mAg mAg mBg

Combine this static friction force definition with Newton's

Second Law for block A:
 Sliding Blocks
FNA FNB
aA System 2 aB
System 1
fs Fapp
fs
fk
mAg mBg
mAg

Final step - aA found from the static friction requirement is equal

to the acceleration a, solved for earlier.
 Sliding Blocks
FNA FNB
System 1 a System 2 a
fs Fapp
fs
fk
mAg mBg
mAg
 Sliding Blocks

A Fapp
B
Ground

All that remains is to put in the numerical values. If the applied

force is greater than the solution below, then the static friction
force will not be enough to hold block A in place relative to block
B - it will start sliding to the left on block B.
 Sliding Blocks - alternate

A Fapp
B
Ground

The alternate method is to create a FBD for block A, and one for
the system of two blocks. Many times, this results in a simpler
solution, since the internal forces (static friction between blocks
A and B) do not contribute to the FBD for a system of multiple
objects.

http://njctl.org/video/?v=URtVsrmyMWE
 Sliding Blocks - alternate
A
B

Ground

System 1 will be block A. System 2 will be blocks A and B.

Given this starting point, try drawing free body diagrams for both
systems.

A A
B

System 1 System 2
 Sliding Blocks - alternate
FNA
aA The free body diagram and
Newton's Second Law expression
fs are the same for block A as the
previous method - the static friction
is an external force and needs to
mAg be included.

x direction y direction
 Sliding Blocks - alternate
A
Time for System 2. Fapp is acting to B
the right, and fk acts between the
ground and the system of blocks A FN(A+B)
and B and is directed to the left. aA+B
The gravitational force is acting on fk Fapp
the combination of blocks A and B,
so it is equal to (mA + mB)g. The
ground exerts an upward Normal
force on the system, and is (mA+mB)g
represented as FN(A+B).
The static friction force between
blocks A and B is not drawn
here. Why?
 Sliding Blocks - alternate
A
B

System 2 was defined as the

combination of blocks A and B.
Therefore, the static friction force FN(A+B)
between blocks A and B is an aA+B
internal force.
fk Fapp
Internal forces are not shown on
FBDs as they cancel each other
out as explained by Newton's (mA+mB)g
Third Law.
 Sliding Blocks - alternate
FN(A+B)
aA+B
A
B fk Fapp
System 2

Newton's Second Law: (mA+mB)g

x direction

y direction
 Sliding Blocks - alternate
FNA FN(A+B)
aA System 2 aA+B
System 1
fs fk Fapp

mAg (mA+mB)g

1
Substitute in for fk:
2

4
 Sliding Blocks - alternate
FNA FN(A+B)
aA System 2 aA+B
System 1
fs fk Fapp

mAg (mA+mB)g

This is the same result we

achieved with FBDs for blocks A
and B independently - but with a
little less algebra. We make a
similar statement that
a(A+B)x = aAx = a; proceed as we
did before, and achieve the same
answer for the maximum Fapp
before the blocks slip.
 Fixed Axis Pulley

Return to Table
http://njctl.org/video/?v=M3PcBqD8iNk of Contents
 Fixed Axis Pulley
So far, pulleys have been used in constructions like Atwood's
Machine and to allow for the horizontal and vertical motion of
two objects in a system (the force is redirected) as shown below.

Both of these systems used "fixed axis

pulleys," as the pulley's axis of rotation
does not change relative to a stationary
reference frame like the ground or a beam.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
Assume a massless pully and string, and that there is no friction
between the pulley and its axle and the string. This allows us to
ignore the effects of rotational motion in the pulley. In both cases
below, the tension force on either side of the pulley is the same.

And, for the Atwood's machine - if the

block on the left weighed 100 N, you
would need a block on the right side
of 100 N to keep it stationary.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
Let's use a fixed axis pulley, but try something different. In the
below picture, two window cleaners are sitting in harnesses.
The picture doesn't show it, but the two lines from each
harness loop over a fixed pulley on top of the building.

Assuming the window cleaner on the

left has a mass of 82.0 kg and the
harness is 21.0 kg what force does he
need to exert to stay stationary?
Image:Seattle_Public_Library_window_washers_06.jpg
(Of course, there are safety features
associated with the harness, but to
simplify the problem, we'll assume
that the cleaner needs to exert a force
to stay where he is).
 Fixed Axis Pulley

As in all dynamics problems, we'll start with free body diagrams.

What forces are acting on the window cleaner and the harness?
 Fixed Axis Pulley

· The rope that he is holding with his hands is pulling

him up.

· The harness seat is pushing him up with a Normal

force (and the window cleaner is pushing down on
the harness with an equal Normal force).

· The rope that is attached to the harness is pulling up

on the harness and the window cleaner.

· The gravitational force is pulling down on the window

cleaner and the harness.

Now, draw FBDs for the window cleaner, the

harness and the combined system of the two.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
In order from left to right, the FBDs for: harness, window cleaner,
and the combined system of harness plus window cleaner.

FT FT
FN FT FT
m hg
FN m wcg m ( wc+h)g

The Normal forces (window cleaner on the harness, and the

harness on the window cleaner) cancel out in the system - they
are internal forces and do not affect the system's motion. The
tension force is the force the window cleaner needs to exert to
stay motionless - what do you notice about this force?
 Fixed Axis Pulley
There are two Tension forces acting on the system! The window
cleaner is holding on to the right rope with a force that, by
Newton's Third Law, is balanced by the Tension force in the rope.
The two Tension forces are equal to each other, since the rope is
assumed to be massless and is not stretching or compressing.
The force that the window cleaner is pulling down on the right
section of the rope transmits itself throughout the entire rope.

FT FT

What's the next step? Think Newton. m ( wc+h)g

 Fixed Axis Pulley
Apply Newton's Second Law to the system.

FT FT

m ( wc+h)g

Pretty straightforward. But what's very

interesting about this result? What's the weight
of the window cleaner and the harness?
 Fixed Axis Pulley
The weight of the system is 1009 N. But, because of
the pulley configuration, the window cleaner only needs to exert
half of the force to balance the gravitational force. Why?
Doesn't this look like a violation of the Work Energy Equation?

To raise the harness to the height Δy requires W = mwc+hgΔy, and

the window cleaner is only using F = mwc+h/2. What are we
missing?
Let's put the window cleaner in motion and see.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
The work required to lift an object of mass, m, a distance Δy is:

Let the window cleaner increase his height above the ground by
Δy. What force is required for him to achieve this, assuming that
he moves at a constant velocity (ignore the acceleration when he
starts and stops).
Think about how far the rope is travelling, d (as that is the
distance the force is acting over). Is that the same as the height,
Δy?
 Fixed Axis Pulley
Each side of the rope moves a distance of Δy, so that the rig
increases its potential energy by mwc+hgΔy. For that to happen,
the rope that he is pulling must equal the sum of those distances,
so the distance over which the force is applied, d, equals 2Δy.

The window cleaner's force of mwc+hg/2 is enough because it is

exerted over a distance of 2Δy - so the Work Energy equation is
still ok.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
Now that we've shown that the reduced force obtained by this
arrangement requires that it be exerted over a greater distance,
let's move on to another question:

FT FT

m ( wc+h)g

The window cleaner pulls down on the rope, and along with
the harness, he accelerates upward at a rate of 0.330 m/s2.
What force must he pull with, and what is the force that he
now exerts on the harness?
 Fixed Axis Pulley
Let's start with the system FBD to find the Tension in the rope
(which is equal to the window cleaner's pulling force) and then
pick either of the individual FBDs to calculate the Normal force
(the force that the window cleaner exerts on the harness).

FT FT
FN FT FT
m hg
FN m wcg m ( wc+h)g
 Fixed Axis Pulley
FT FT
FN FT
Solve the combined FT
system first: m hg
FN m wcg m ( wc+h)g

This is greater than the force required to

remain stationary. That makes sense.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
We'll now solve both the
FT FT
harness and the window FN FT FT
cleaner FBD to show we
get the same result for m hg
FN m wcg m ( wc+h)g
the normal force. First,
the harness system.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
Now, the window cleaner
FT FT
system. FN FT FT
m hg
FN m wcg m ( wc+h)g

That's as we expected, FN = 309 N as

calculated for both systems.
 Fixed Axis Pulley
Where the pulley merely redirected the force, there is no
benefit, in terms of reduced force required to lift an object,
obtained. The benefit is that the person lifting the object could
stand in the best place to move the object - a person wouldn't
have to stand under it.

But, an advantage was gained in the second case - the force

required to lift the object was reduced - but had to be exerted
over a greater distance.

We're now going to move on to the case of the movable

pulley where the pulley's axis is not fixed and see if it can
reduce the lifter's required force even more.
 Movable Pulleys

Return to Table
http://njctl.org/video/?v=wNkDc0sRB5k
of Contents
 Movable Pulleys

First, let's define what a movable pulley is!

The fixed axis pulley's axis of rotation (axle) did not change
relative to the ground or other stationary reference frame. In
other words, the pulley didn't move.

Movable pulleys are also called traveling pulleys.

For the fixed axis pulley, the rope moved, the load moved, but
not the pulley.

So, what could a movable pulley do?

 Movable Pulleys
It can move. It will move up or down and take the load with it.

There are two systems of

multiple pulleys here. Picture a
crate attached to the ring on
the bottom of the bottom pulley.

Which is the fixed pulley?

Which is the movable pulley?
Movable Pulleys

The top system is attached to

the boom overhead and
consists of three fixed pulleys.

The lower system has three

movable pulleys.
 Movable Pulleys
Below is a schematic of fixed and movable pulleys that will
be used to lift the mass at the bottom by applying the force to
the right.

C A

Fapp

Pulleys A and C are fixed.

Pulley B is movable, as
it will travel with the
M mass.
 Movable Pulleys
The problem at hand is to find the required applied force to lift
the mass M.

C A
This may look tricky,
but we'll be using
Fapp free body diagrams
to figure out the
B required force. First,
label this picture with
all the forces you can
think of. Remember,
we're dealing with
M massless pulleys
and strings.
 Movable Pulleys
FT6 FT2

C A
FT1
FT7 Here they are - the lines do
FT5 FT3 not represent the magnitudes
Fapp of the various forces - they're
just a schematic diagram - we
B don't have a free body
diagram yet.
FT4
The next slide will show the
FBDs. Give them a try before
M
the slide changes.
Mg
 Movable Pulleys
FT6 FT2
FT6 FT2
C A C A
FT1 FT5 FT7 FT3 FT1
FT7
FT5 FT3 FT5
Fapp
FT3 FT7
B B
Here they are! Next,
Newton's Second and FT4
FT4
Third Laws and the
massless string and
M frictionless pulley FT4
assumptions will be used to M
Mg relate the forces to each
Mg
other.
 Movable Pulleys
FT6 FT2 The massless string and
frictionless pulley assumptions
C A allow us to say:
FT1
FT7 Fapp = FT1 = FT3 = FT5 = FT7
FT5 FT3 Fapp
Because the string is not
B
stretching or compressing, it has
no mass to consider in the FBD,
FT4 and the pulleys have no mass,
nor do they use any energy in
their rotation. So, the tension is
M
the same everywhere in the
string.
Mg
 Movable Pulleys
FT6 FT2
C A
FT5 FT7 FT3 FT1
FT5
FT3 FT7 Assume the mass is stationary - it is not
B accelerating. Write Newton's Second Law
equations for each FBD. Note how
FT4 Newton's Second Law tells us which
action-reaction forces are equal.
FT4 The equations are on the next slide. Try
M them yourself first.
Mg
 Movable Pulleys
FT6
FT2
C FT6 - FT5 - FT7 = May = 0
A
FT5 FT7
FT3 FT1

FT5 FT2 - FT3 - FT1 = May = 0

FT3 FT7
B FT3 + FT5 + FT7 - FT4 = May = 0
FT4

FT4
M FT4 - Mg= May = 0
Mg
 Movable Pulleys
We actually only need
FT6 FT2
three of these equations:

C A Fapp = FT1 = FT3 = FT5 = FT7

FT1
FT7 FT4 - Mg = May = 0
FT5 FT3 Fapp FT3 + FT5 + FT7 - FT4 = May = 0

B Combine the first and

third to get:
FT4 FT4 = 3Fapp
Substitute this into the
M second equation:

Mg 3Fapp = Mg
 Movable Pulleys
FT6 FT2

C A One more step:

FT1
FT7 Fapp = Mg/3
FT5 FT3 Fapp
Thus it only takes one
B third of the force to hold
mass M stationary than if
FT4 it was being held up just
by a rope without any
pulleys.
M

Mg
 Movable Pulleys
This is similar to the window
FT6 FT2 cleaner problem in the last
chapter.
C A
FT1 Less force is used, but it is
FT7 used over a longer distance -
FT5 FT3 Fapp so the work required to lift the
mass is the same whether this
B system is used or if the mass is
lifted up with one rope.
FT4
If the mass is lifted a distance
Δy, ropes 3, 5 and 7 also move
M up by Δy, for a total rope
movement of 3Δy. The work
Mg done is then F/3 times 3Δy, or
FΔy. Just like one rope.
 Movable Pulleys
FT6 FT2 This leads to the concept
of the Ideal Mechanical
A Advantage (no friction).
C
FT1
FT7
FT5 FT3 Fapp
In this case:
B

FT4

A simpler way to calculate

M
the Fapp required is to
count the number of
Mg
ropes supporting the
load.
 Plumb bob in car

Return to Table
of Contents
http://njctl.org/video/?v=u0Scs9d5UUg
 Plumb bob in car

First, we need to describe a Plumb bob. It is a weight (normally

pointed at the bottom) that is attached to a string that is then
affixed to a horizontal support.

What would be the purpose of such an object? A free body

diagram (FBD) is a great way to figure that out. What are the
forces acting on the Plumb bob?
 Plumb bob in car

FT

mg

The only forces acting on the weight (bob) are the gravitational
force, mg, and the Tension in the string, FT. Both forces act in
the y direction, and there are no forces in the x direction. So, the
point of the bob points down, in a perfectly vertical direction,
which gives a perfect reference line.

This is helpful to people who want to build a house that is

straight or any other constructions that need to be aligned with
the y axis (wallpaper in a room, a skyscraper, etc.).
 Plumb bob in car

FT

mg

Assume the bob is not moving, and is ready to be used as a

reference line. Let's apply Newton's Second Law.
 Plumb bob in car

For physics purposes, let's now attach this plumb bob to the
overhead light in a car and accelerate the car forward in a safe
manner. Will the plumb bob stay pointing in a vertical direction?

Think of what happens to an object on the center console of a

car when the car accelerates forward.
 Plumb bob in car
a

The driver observes the plumb bob swinging backwards and

making an angle of θ with the normal to the ceiling and staying
there as long he maintains a constant acceleration.

An observer, standing outside on the road, will see the same

angle θ, and the problem will be solved from her point of view -
where the car is accelerating.

What does the FBD look like now?

 Plumb bob in car
a a
FT
θ
mg

The gravitational force is still the same. FT has x and y

components. The bob is no longer pointed vertically down.

What is the source of this force in the x direction? When the car
was not moving, the bob pointed straight down. Now that the
car is accelerating to the left, the bob has moved. So, the force
is related to the car's acceleration and the original Tension force.
Since there are now non perpendicular forces in two dimensions,
it's time for vector resolution.
 Plumb bob in car
a
θ
FT
FTy

FTx mg

We're going to find another use for the plumb bob - once
the forces are resolved, the acceleration of the car will be found
without using any other car gauges!

Angle θ, is measured. What are the x and y components of the

Tension? Assume the acceleration is constant, so the bob is
stationary in this new position.
 Plumb bob in car

y direction a
θ
FT
FTy x direction
FTx mg

Let's stack these two equations on top of each other:

What can you say about these two

equations, and does anything about
the trigonometry jump out at you?
 Plumb bob in car
a
θ
FT
FTy

FTx mg

These equations define the motion of the plumb bob in two

dimensions, at the same point of time, so they must both
be true. Hence, they are simultaneous equations.

Many times, you add/subtract simultaneous equations to

get the solution. But, in this case - what about dividing?

This will consolidate the trigonometric functions, and

eliminate the mass of the bob from the solution.
 Plumb bob in car
a
θ
FT
FTy

FTx mg

Whenever you see a sine and a cosine function - think of

dividing the equations. This is a very handy trick.
 Plumb bob in car
a
θ
FT
FTy

FTx mg

Just by measuring the angle that the string makes with the
vertical, the acceleration of the car can be calculated. Note how
the mass of the plumb bob does not matter.

If θ = 110, what is the acceleration of the car?

 Plumb bob in car
a
θ
FT
FTy

FTx mg

This is about as fast as a four cylinder compact car can accelerate

when it is trying as hard as it can. Hopefully, you'll never push the
car to this acceleration, so if you have a plumb bob attached to the
interior overhead light, it should never exceed an angle of 110.
 The Banked Curve

Return to Table
http://njctl.org/video/?v=UcOgLlJ7nS8 of Contents
 The Banked Curve

An interesting problem that involves centripetal acceleration, a non

rotated coordinate system that looks like it should be rotated and
static and kinetic friction, is the case of a car on a banked, curved
roadway.

ile:
iki/F n_w
. o rg/w statio
di a L_
ime or_DP
.wik d
m ons bassa
om _Am
://c C
http _AM .jpg
19 6 8
_ F L-r1
n
ago

θ
 The Banked Curve

First thing that we'll do is to prepare for the FBD. The photograph
of the 1968 station wagon (ask your parents what those were) will
be replaced by a shape.

The car has just entered a turn - which can be modeled as a

circular orbit when seen from above. It is also on a banked curve -
and the bank makes an angle θ with the flat ground.
Car making Car seen from
a turn as seen behind on
from above banked curve
v
θ

Draw the accleration vector on

each sketch.
 The Banked Curve
Car making Car seen from
a turn as seen behind on a
from above banked curve
v
a θ

First, assume there is no static friction

between the car and the road and draw the
FBD for the sketch on the right. This is
done not just to make the math easier, but it
actually is the most conservative case to
ensure the car does not slide up or down the
incline (both cases involve leaving the
roadway, which is clearly not safe).
 The Banked Curve
a y

FN

x
mg
θ

The first surprise, is even though we're dealing with an

inclined plane, we're not going to rotate the coordinate
system! Why do you think this is so? Also, what kind of
acceleration is represented by the vector, a, above?
 The Banked Curve
a y

FN

x
mg
θ

Certainly, one of the advantages of a rotated coordinate system

is to reduce the amount of vectors that need to be resolved into
component parts. But, also important, is to line up the
coordinate system so the acceleration is along one of its axes.
And that's what's done above.

Since the car is going in a circle - it's centripetal acceleration.

What force is causing the centripetal acceleration?

 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ
FNcosθ
FN θ

θ mg

By resolving the Normal force into its x and y components, it

can be seen that FNsinθ points towards the center of the circle
that the car is driving in, and is causing the centripetal
acceleration. Take a minute to verify that the angle in the
triangle made by the Normal force is the same as the angle of
inclination of the banked road.
Next step? Newton's Second Law. In the x
and the y directions.
 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ
First we'll write Newton's Second Law
for the y direction, and state that the FNcosθ
car has no motion in the y direction FN θ
since it remains in the same position x
on the incline as it moves in the
circle: ay = 0. θ mg

Why was the y direction solved first?

 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ
Because we'll need the value of FN
for Newton's Second Law in the x FNcosθ
direction. FN θ

θ mg

What is the significance of this result?

And what property of the car is missing?
 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ
This relates the angle of the incline to FNcosθ
FN θ
the speed of the car that does not require
any friction force to remain in circular x
motion at the same position on the
incline. θ mg

It does not depend on the mass of the

vehicle, so the same banked curve will
safely accommodate cars and trucks.
 The Banked Curve

Now, let's bring in friction. When a car negotiates a turn, it's

best that it stays in the middle of the road.

If it moves up the ramp - well, then it can fail to make the turn
and it will go flying off where it could hit trees or other
obstructions or be stopped by a barrier of some sort.

If it moves down the ramp, then it could hit whatever problems

await it on the inner curve - such as barriers, parked cars or
the like.

What type of friction is relevant here?

http://njctl.org/video/?v=Ri0IVXbJGAo
 The Banked Curve

Static Friction. This is covered in the Rotational Motion unit of

this course. But here's a quick explanation.

A tire rotates as it moves the car forward. When the tire

comes in contact with the road, the linear velocity of the
surface of the tire is pointed towards the rear of the car. It is
exactly equal to the linear velocity of the entire car, which is
pointed towards the front of the car.

These velocities add to zero - so the tire is at rest with the

roadway at the contact point.

Hence - no relative motion - static friction!

 The Banked Curve

Find the maximum speed that a car can travel at without

sliding up the bank as it goes around a banked curve. After
this is worked out, the problem of what minimum speed a car
will need to prevent it from slipping down the bank will be
presented.

Let's build on the previous work that left out friction. Here it is:
a
y
FNsinθ
Is this still relevant? Does anything
need to be added or subtracted? FNcosθ
FN θ

θ mg
 The Banked Curve

We don't need to subtract anything. The acceleration vector

still points towards the center of the curve. The non rotated
coordinate system will still work. The Normal vector is still
valid. But, the frictional force needs to be added.

The car needs to be prevented from sliding up the bank. What

direction is the force of friction?
a
y
FNsinθ
FNcosθ
FN θ

θ mg
 The Banked Curve

Static friction works to maintain the relative position of the two

objects. So, to prevent the car from moving up the bank, the
friction force must point down the bank as shown below.

a
y

What angle does the static FNsinθ

friction force make with the FNcosθ
negative x axis? Once you FN θ
figure this out, resolve the force
x
into its x and y components.
fsf mg
θ
 The Banked Curve

The angle is θ. Here's the completed FBD. Next, work out

Newton's Second Law equations, starting, as always, with the
y direction.
a
y
FNsinθ

FNcosθ
FN θ
fsfcosθ
fsfsinθ θ x

θ
fsf mg
 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ y direction: assume the car does not
FNcosθ change its y position, and fsf = μsfFN.
FN θ The inequality is removed here,
since the maximum value of the
fsfcosθ
static friction force is the point at
fsfsinθ θ x
which the car will start slipping.
θ
fsf mg
 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ

FNcosθ
FN θ
fsfcosθ
fsfsinθ θ x

θ
fsf mg

x direction: work out

Newton's Second Law,
and then substitute in the
value of FN obtained from
the y direction equation.
 The Banked Curve

Now, let's consider the minimum speed the car needs to travel
at to prevent it from sliding down the bank and running off the
road there.

As in the previous case, it's the force of static friction. But,

which way is the static friction force this time?
a
y
FNsinθ
FNcosθ
FN θ

θ mg
 The Banked Curve

Static friction works to maintain the relative position of the two

objects. So, to prevent the car from moving down the bank,
the friction force must point up the bank as shown below.

a
y

It's now time to resolve the friction FNsinθ

force into its x and y components. FNcosθ
FN θ fsf
x

θ mg
 The Banked Curve
Here's the completed FBD. Next, work out Newton's Second
Law equations, starting, as always, with the y direction.

Can you see why the

angle between fsf and
a the x axis is θ?
y
FNsinθ
FNcosθ
FN θ fsf
fsfsinθ
θ
x
fsfcosθ
θ mg
 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ y direction: assume the car does not
move in the y direction, and fsf = μsfFN.
FNcosθ
The inequality is removed here, since
FN θ fsf the maximum value of the static friction
fsfsinθ force is the point at which the car will
θ
fsfcosθ x start slipping.
θ mg
 The Banked Curve
a
y
FNsinθ
FNcosθ
FN θ fsf
fsfsinθ
θ
x
fsfcosθ
θ mg

x direction: work out

Newton's Second Law,
and then substitute in the
value of FN obtained from
the y direction equation.
 Inclined Plane and a
Pulley

Return to Table
http://njctl.org/video/?v=MpoUkc6AJCM
of Contents
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

Let's put together two concepts - the inclined plane and the
pulley.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

Find the acceleration of the two

masses on the incline, where there
is kinetic friction between the box
and the incline.

θ
Assume the two masses are connected by a string of negligible
mass that does not stretch or compress.

Also assume a frictionless and massless pulley, so that

rotational effects need not be considered.
Inclined Plane and a Pulley
Draw all the forces you can think of on
the two boxes and show the
acceleration vectors for each box.

What if you choose the wrong

direction for the acceleration?
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a

FT FN
FT
a fk
m2g

m1g
θ

Here it is. And if you chose a different direction for the

acceleration than the actual acceleration - no problem -
you will get a negative value for the acceleration after
the equations are solved, which tells you it's opposite
to your choice.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
System 1 FN y
a FT FT

fk
System 2

θ
os
m1g

gc
θ

m2
x

Fy =
m2g
Fx =
There is a lot going on here. The m2
gsi
next few slides will explain the free nθ
body diagrams in more detail. Each
mass will be treated as its own
system, and then it will be shown
how they can be considered as one
system of two masses.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
System 1
a FT
System 1 is the m1 block. We're assuming
that the block is falling, hence the direction of
a is down. Once we solve the Newton's
m1g Second Law equations, if we get a negative
value for a, that just means it's actually
accelerating in the opposite direction (up).

This one is fairly straightforward - gravity is

pulling down on the mass and the tension in
the string is pulling it up.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
FN y This system is a bit more complex. It
FT involves a rotated coordinate system
System 2 and the resolution of the gravitational
fk force along the new rotated axes.
θ
os

Acceleration is chosen in the up

gc

θ
direction on the plane. While it isn't
m2

x
Fy =

m2g important which direction is chosen, it

Fx = is important to choose the directions for
m2 both boxes that are consistent! If box
gsi
nθ m1 is accelerating downwards, then box
m2 must be accelerating up the plane
as the boxes are connected.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
y The friction force is shown opposite the
FN
direction of acceleration - of the relative
FT motion of the box and the plane.
System 2
fk The tension force is shown acting
θ
os

upwards.
gc

θ
m2

x
Fy =

m2g
Fx = Since the string is massless and it is
m2 assumed not to stretch, and the pulley
gsi
nθ is massless, the two tension forces
are equal.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
System 1 y
FN
a FT
FT

System 2 fk

θ
m1g

os
θ

gc
m2
X

Fy =
m2g
Fx =
m2
Time for the application of Newton's gsi
nθ
Second Law and writing the
equations for these free body
diagrams. Try System 1 first.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
System 1
a FT

m1g

That's all for this system. The only thing to watch out for
is that this is a non rotated coordinate system - and ay for
this system will actually equal ax for the box in System 2!
Flip back to the previous slide to see this.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
y y-axis:
FN
FT
System 2
fk
θ

This will be used to calculate fk:

os
gc

θ
m2

X
Fy =

m2g x-axis:
Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ

We now have two simultaneous

equations for FT and a. What are they?
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

a
System 1 FN y
a FT FT

fk

θ
os
m1g

gc
θ
m2
X
Fy =
m2g
Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ

Here they are. Two equations. Earlier, it was stated that

the acceleration of both boxes was the same - even
though they are named differently due to the coordinate
system being rotated in System 2. So, ax = ay = a.

What's next?
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

a
System 1 FN y
FT
a FT Add the equations
fk together.

θ
os
m1g

gc
θ
m2
X
Fy =
m2g
Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ
FT cancels out!
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

θ
We've now found the acceleration of the two box system - and
without using a single number! That's the way to solve physics
problems - work out the algebra first, and then substitute in the
numbers. This has a few benefits - one of which is your
teacher is more apt to give you partial credit if the work is
shown. In class, the work is more important than the
numerical answer. It's only when rockets and bridges are built
that numbers are very important!

http://njctl.org/video/?v=tqLHSd6dO1I
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

Another benefit is that limiting cases can be taken to both

validate the algebra and to observe interesting phenomena.

What if the angle θ was set equal to 00 or 900 (the two limiting
cases)? What would the system look like? Imagine rotating
the incline clockwise until the incline is vertical for the 900 case
or rotating it counter-clockwise until the incline is horizontal for
the 00 case. Start with the 00 system.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

m2
m1

θ
Did you come up with the physical picture for the 00 case?
If not, start with the algebra and set θ = 00:

Is this a familiar equation?

 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

Set θ = 00 m2
m2
m1

m1
θ

We've got the case of a block pulling

another block off of a table where there
is friction between the block and the
surface.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

m2
m1

θ
Time for the 900 system. Any luck?
If not, start with the algebra and set θ = 900:

The coefficient of kinetic friction is gone -

because m2 is barely in contact with the
rotated incline. Can you visualize it now?
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

m2 Set θ = 900
m1

θ FT1 = FT2

The inclined plane becomes an

Atwood Machine! m1 m2

Atwood Machine
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
System 1 FN y
a FT FT
m2
m1 fk

θ
os
m1g

gc
θ

m2
X

Fy =
m2g
θ Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ

One more thing to talk about for this problem. Look at all
the work above. You can see the forces acting on the
two masses in the acceleration equation. But which
force is conspicuously missing? Does that give you an
idea about a different way to solve the problem?
http://njctl.org/video/?v=5gCi6WYw87o
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
System 1 FN y
a FT FT
m2
m1 fk

θ
os
m1g

gc
θ

m2
X

Fy =
m2g
θ Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ
The Tension force,
FT doesn't appear!

What if we considered just ONE system - the system of

both masses? FT is now an internal force - and it is left
out of the FBD because it consists of an infinite number
of action-reaction forces within the string that cancel out.
Only external forces contribute to the motion of a system.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
System 1 FN y
a FT FT
m2
m1 fk

θ
os
m1g

gc
θ

m2
X

Fy =
m2g
θ Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ

Look at the above two FBDs and the sketch.

The pulley's only purpose is to redirect m1g
so it can pull m2 up the incline. Or, m1 pulls
on m2 with FT, and m2 pulls on m1 with FT. So
what can we call that?
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
y
FN
m2
m1 m1g System of both
fk masses

θ
os
θ

gc
θ

m2
X

Fy =
m2g
Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ

That's an action-reaction pair, and FT is an internal

force to the system and will not take part in the
FBD. Since the pulley is merely redirecting the
force, m1g, we draw it on the new "System of both
masses" FBD, as shown above.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley
a
y
FN
m2
m1 m1g System of both
fk masses

θ
os
θ

gc
θ

m2
X

Fy =
m2g
Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ

One more thing. The forces are all good - but what is the mass
of our "system of masses" free body?

It is (m1 + m2), and will be the mass on the right hand side of
Newton's Law.
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

m2
m1
y-axis:
θ
a
y
FN
m1g System of both This will be used to calculate fk:
fk masses
θ
os
gc

θ
m2

X
Fy =

m2g
Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

m2 x-axis:
m1

θ
a
y
FN
There is no tension force present
m1g System of both (just like when we added the two
fk masses simultaneous equations for the
first way we solved the problem).
θ
os
gc

θ
m2

X There is also (m1 + m2) present

Fy =

m2g
on the right side to represent the
Fx =
m2 total mass of the system.
gsi
nθ
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

m2 One last step is expressing ax as a, since

m1 that is the only motion we're observing,
and we have:
θ
a
y
FN
m1g System of both
fk masses
θ
os

Which, of course, is the same

gc

θ
m2

X answer we got using two systems

Fy =

m2g
and two simultaneous equations.
Fx =
m2
gsi
nθ
 Inclined Plane and a Pulley

m2 fk
m1
m2
m1g gsi
nθ
θ
System of both masses

With more practice, you could observe that the only external force
causing the system (m1 + m2) to rotate in a counterclockwise
direction is m1g, and the only external forces acting against that
motion is fk and m2gsinθ, and quickly write Newton's Second Law: