Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION

73

Chapter 5

Forces and Motion

5.1 AVERAGE AND INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY

Displacement is a vector quantity and is the straight line drawn from the initial
position to the final position of a body while distance is a scalar quantity and refers to any
path followed by the body from its initial position.

Units for distance and displacements are meters, centimeters, and feet.

For straight-line motion:

Distance = Displacement
i.e., distance is the magnitude of the he
B
displacement.
final position
distance

displacement

A
initial position Fig. 5.1

Speed is a scalar quantity possessing magnitude only while a velocity is a vector

quantity possessing magnitude and direction as well as. Speed is the magnitude of a velocity.
In general, speed is the distance transverse per unit time. Velocity is defined as the time rate of
change of displacement.

Both speed and velocity may be expressed by the same formula.

S signifies the distance covered in time t in the case of speed, and in case of velocity,
S is the displacement in a given direction during the time interval. On the other hand, if the
body has a variable speed or velocity so that it slows down at some places and speeds up at
other places, we may define, average speed or velocity as:

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
74

The average velocity of a particle during the time interval Δt is the displacement
of the particle divides by the time interval

eq. 5.1

Note that the average velocity between two points is independent of the path taken.
This is because average velocity is proportional to displacement, which depends only on the
final and initial position vectors and not on the path taken. If a particle starts its motion at
some point and returns to this point via any path, its average velocity is zero for this trip
because its displacement is zero. Its average speed however is not zero.

The instantaneous velocity v is defined as the limit of the average velocity as

Δt approaches zero:

That is, the instantaneous velocity equals the derivative of the position vector with
respect to time. The direction of the instantaneous velocity vector at any point in a particle’s
path is along a line tangent to the path at that point and in the direction of motion.

The magnitude of the instantaneous velocity vector is called the speed,

which is a scalar quantity.

5.2 AVERAGE AND INSTANTANEOUS ACCELERATION

The average acceleration of a particle as it moves is defined as the change in the

instantaneous vector ΔV divided by the time interval Δt during which the change occurs.

eq. 5.2

The instantaneous acceleration a is defined as the limiting value of ratio as Δt

approaches zero.

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
75

In other words, the instantaneous acceleration equals the derivative of the velocity
vector with respect to time.

It is important to recognize that various changes can occur when a particle

acceleration. First, the magnitude of the velocity vector (the speed) may change with time as
in straight-line (one-dimensional) motion. Second, the direction of the velocity vector may
change with time even if its magnitude (speed) remains constant; as in curved path (two-
dimensional) motion. Finally, both the magnitude and the direction of the velocity vector may
change simultaneously.

5.3 UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED MOTION

Accelerated motion of a particle is defined as the change in velocity per unit time
from point to point. The change in velocity may be a change in magnitude, direction or both.
The simplest type of accelerated motion is uniformly accelerated motion, defined as motion in
a straight line in which the direction is always the same and the speed changes at a constant
rate. Constant acceleration is given by

where:
eq. 5.3 t = time elapsed
Vf = velocity after an interval of time t
Vo = initial velocity

Derived Equations of Motion (for uniform or constant acceleration)

eq. 5.4
where: Vo = initial velocity (m/s)
Vf = final velocity after an
eq. 5.5 interval time of t (m/s)
S = displacement (m)
t = time elapsed (sec)

eq. 5.6
Examples:
1. A car leaves a gasoline station and speeds up to 12.0 m/s with a constant acceleration of
1.75 m/s2, then runs at this speed for a time and finally comes to rest with a deceleration
of 2.00 m/s2. How far will the car be after 18.0 seconds?

Solution:

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
76

a = 1.75 m/s2
2 a=0 3 a = –2.00 m/s2 4
V1 = 0 1 V2 = V3 = 12.0 m/s
tt = 18.0 seconds

ST

Fig. 5.2

12

34

23

= 41.14m + 61.68m + 36m = 139m

2. Cars A and B approach each other on a straight road and meet after A has traveled 235
meters. Car A has taken an initial velocity of 25.0 m/s and decelerating at the rate of
0.400 m/s2. Car B has an initial velocity of 10.0 m/s and is accelerating at the rate of
0.500m/s2.
a) How far apart are the two cars initially?
b) What is the velocity of each car when they approach each
other?

Mechanics and Heat

Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
77

Car B
Car A VB

VA

SA = 235m SB
tA tB
ST
tA = tB = t

Fig. 5.3

Given: Required:
Car A Car B a) ST
VoA = 25.0 m/s VoB = 10.0 m/s b) VA , VB
aA = –0.400 m/s2 aB = 0.500 m/s2

Solution:
Car A

Solve for t using quadratic equation:

t = 10.25 sec (accept)
t = 114.70 (reject)

Car B

a) ST = SA + SB
= 235 + 128.78
ST = 364m

b) VA = VoA + aAt VB = VoB + aBt

= 25 + (–0.4)(10.25) = 10 + (0.5)(10.25)
= 20.9 m/s = 15.125 m/s

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
78

VA = 21.0 m/s VB = 15.0 m/s

5.4 FREE FALLING BODIES

The most common example of motion with (nearly) constant acceleration is that a
body falling toward the earth. In the absence of air resistance, all bodies, regardless of the
size, weight or composition fall with the same acceleration at the same point in the earth’s
surface, and if the distance covered is not too great, the acceleration remains constant though
out the fall. The ideal motion, in which the air resistance and the small change in acceleration
with altitude are neglected, is called “free fall”.

The acceleration of a freely falling body is called acceleration due to gravity and is
denoted by the symbol g. Near the earth’s surface, its magnitude is approximately 9.80 m/s 2,
980 cm/s2, 32.20 ft/s2, and is directed down towards the center of the earth.

Example of Uniformly Accelerated Motion:

1. Straight line free fall

2. Free fall along a curve (projectile, chapter 6)

Since freely falling is uniformly accelerated motion, then the equations for
freely falling body are the same as those above with symbol a replace by g.
Uniformly Accelerated Motion Freely Falling Bodies




where: a = – g
V is positive if directed upward.
V is negative if directed downward.
S is positive is found above the reference point
S is negative if found below the reference point.
Example: A stone is thrown vertically upward from a tower 200.m high with an initial
velocity of 22.0 m/s.
a) How high will it rise above the starting point?
b) When will the stone strike the ground?
c) What is the stone’s velocity when it strikes the ground?

Given: Required:
Vo = 22.0 m/s a) S
ht = 200.m b) t
c) V

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
79

Solution:

a) Vmax = 0 S=?
S=?
V2 = Vo2 – 2gS
0 = (22)2 – 2(9.8)S
Vo = 22m/s S = 24.69m
S = 25.0m

Above the starting point

200m

V=?
t =?

Fig. 5.4

b) ht = –200m , t = ? c) ht = –200m , V = ?
V2 = Vo2 – 2gS

V2 = (25)2 – 2(9.8)( –200)

–200 = 22t – 4.9t2 V2 = 4545 m2/s2

Using quadratic formula: V = 67.4 m/s

t1 = 9.02s
t2 = –4.53s
t = 9.02s

SOLVED PROBLEMS

1. A marble thrown from the top of a building is given an initial velocity of 20.0 m/s
straight upward. The building is 30.0m high, and the marble just misses the edge of the
roof on its way down. Using t1 = 0 as the time the marble leaves the thrower’s hand at
position (1), determine:
(a) the time at which the stone reaches its maximum height,
(b) the maximum height,
(c) the time at which the marble returns to the height from which it was thrown,
(d) the velocity of the marble at this instant, and
(e) the velocity and position of the marble at t = 5.00s.

Given:

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
80

(2) V2 = 0

(1) (3)
t1 = 0 S3 = 0
S1 = 0 V3 = –20.0 m/s
V1 = 20.0 m/s
30.0m (4) t4 = 5.00s

(5) S5 = –30.0m

Fig. 5.5

Required: a) t2 b) S2 c) t3 d) V3 e) V4 , S4

Solution:
a) (1)  (2) b) (1)  (2)

c) (1)  (3) d) (1)  (3)

(downward)
t3 = 0

e) (1)  (4)

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
81

V4  29.0m/s  (downward) S 4  22.5m (below the

initial position)

2. Romi Garduce climbs a 50.0m cliff that overhangs a calm pool of water. He throws two
stones vertically downward, 1.00s apart, and observes that they cause a single splash. The
first stone has an initial speed of 2.00 m/s.
(a) How long after release of the first stone do the two stones hit the water?
(b) What initial velocity must the second stone have if they are to hit
simultaneously?
(c) What is the speed of each stone at the instant the two hit the water?

Given:
stone 1 stone 2 Vo1 = –2 .00 m/s ↓
S1 = S2 = –70.0m
t1 = t2 + 1

Fig. 5.6

Required: a) t1 , t2 b) Vo2 c) V1 , V2

Solution:

a) Stone 1

Using quadratic equation:

t1 = 3.00 sec (accept)
t1 = -3.40 sec (reject)
t1= 3.00 sec

t2 = t1-– 1

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
82

t2= 2.00 sec

b)

c)

5.5 NEWTON’S SECOND LAW OF MOTION (LAW OF ACCELERATION)

We shall consider the relation between the external force and the change it produced
in the motion of the body to which it was applied.

Newton’s Second Law is known as the law of acceleration. It states that whenever
an unbalanced force acts on a body, that body will have an acceleration which is directly
proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass.

The mathematical statement of Newton’s Second Law may be written as:

or
eq. 5.7
F = ma

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
83

It is one of the most important equations in dynamics. It is applicable to the motion

of such infinitesimal particles as the electron and our solar system.

If several forces act on a body simultaneously, the forces may be resolved into x and
y components. The algebraic sum summation of Fx and Fy maybe computed. The components
of acceleration may be given by the equations:

∑Fx = max ∑Fy = may

This pair of equations is equivalent to the single equation.

eq. 5.8
∑F = ma

5.6 APPLICATION OF NEWTON’S SECOND LAW OF MOTION

Given a block with the forces applied on it, the formula ∑F = ma is used where ∑F
is the summation of forces and the sign is positive relative to the direction of a as indicated by
the arrow drawn in doted lines. Thus:

a
N

F T

Fig. 5.7
W
∑Fx = max (there is acceleration along the x-axis)

T – F = max

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
84
∑Fy= 0 (there is no acceleration along the y-axis)

N–W=0

Units:
Force = (mass) (acceleration)
Dynes = (g) (cm/s2)
Pounds (lb) = (slug)(ft/s2)

SOLVED PROBLEMS

1. A 2.00 kg block rests on a smooth 30.0° incline. Determine:

a) the horizontal force A that will accelerate 0.500 m/s2 up the
incline,
b) the time needed for the block to travel 3m and,
c) the final velocity after 3.0s.

Given:

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
85

N
a = 0.500 m/s2
a
N
A 30°

2.0 kg A

30° W = mg
W = (2.0) (9.8)
W = 19.6N
Fig. 5.8a
Fig. 5.8b

Required:
a) S
b) t if S = 3m
c) V after t = 3s

Solution:
a)

A = 12.5N

b)

t = 3.50s
0
c)

V = 1.50 m/s

2. A 6.0kg mass rests on a rough horizontal table having a coefficient of friction of 0.1. A
6.0 kg
string fastened to it passes over a frictionless pulley and has a 2.0kg mass suspended from
the string. A
a) What acceleration will the system have?
b) What is the tension in the strung?

Given: B 2.0 kg Required:

a) a
b) T

Mechanics and Heat

Fig. 5.9a
 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
86

Solution:
FBD of block B FBD of block A
a
T
N
a
T

fs = 0.10N
WB = (2.0) (9.8) WA = (6.0) (9.8)
= 19.6 N = 58.8 N

Fig. 5.9b Fig. 5.9c

(1)

(2)

Solving (1) and (2) simultaneously:

a = 1.72 m/s2
T = 16.2 N
3. An Atwood’s machine consists of two 2.00 kg masses hung by a string over a light
frictionless pulley. To determine the value of g (acceleration due to gravity), an 82.0g
mass is added to82gone side. It is found that at the end of 2.00s, the system has moved 39.4
cm starting from
2 kg 2 rest.
kg Find (a) acceleration of the system, (b) acceleration due to gravity.
Use cgs system of units.

Given: Required:
a) a
S = 39.4 cm
b) g
82g t = 2.0s
2 kg
Mechanics and Heat

Fig. 5.10a
 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
87

Solution:
0
a)

a = 19.7 cm/s2

b)

FBD of the 2-kg block

W = 2000g

Fig. 5.10b

(1)

FBD of the 2-kg + 82g block

W = 2082g
Mechanics and Heat
Fig. 5.10c
 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
88

(2)

Solving (1) and (2) simultaneously:

g= 981 cm/s2

SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS

Forces and Motion

1. A car started from rest and move with constant acceleration. At one time, it was traveling
30.0 m/s and 160.0m further on it was traveling 50.0 m/s. Calculate:
a) its constant acceleration
b) time required to travel the 160.0m distance
c) the time required to attain the speed of 30.0 m/s
d) the distance moved from rest to the time the car had a speed of 30.0 m/s
(Answers: a) 5.00 m/s2 b) 4.00 sec c) 6.00 sec d) 90.0m)

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
89

2. A car and a jeepney start from rest at the same instant, with the car initially at some
distance behind the jeepney. The jeepney has a constant acceleration of 2.00 m/s 2 and the
car an acceleration of 3.00 m/s 2. The car overtakes the jeepney after the jeepney has
moved 75.0m.
a) How long does it take the car to overtake the jeepney?
b) How far was the car behind the jeepney initially?
c) What is the velocity of each when they are abreast?
(Answers: a) 8.66s b) 37.5m c) 25.9 m/s , 17.3 m/s)

3. A plane lands with a speed of 100 m/s and can accelerate at a maximum rate of -5.00 m/s 2
as it comes to rest.
a) From the instant the plane touches the runway, what is the minimum time
interval needed before it can come to rest?
b) Can this plane land on a small tropical island airport where the runway is
0.800 km long?
(Answers: a) 20.0s b) No)

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
90

4. Cars A and B approach each other on a straight road and meet after A has traveled 255m.
Car A has an initial velocity of 20 m/s and decelerating at the rate of 0.30 m/s 2. Car B has
an initial velocity of 8.0 m/s and is accelerating at the rate of 0.4 m/s2.
a) How far apart are the two cars initially?
b) What is the velocity of each car when they approach each other?
(Answers: a) 410m b) VA = 15.7 m/s , VB = 13.7 m/s)

5. A ball starts from rest and accelerates at 0.500 m/s 2 while moving down an inclined plane
9.00m long. When it reaches the bottom, the ball rolls up another plane, where, after
moving 15.0m, it comes to rest.
a) What is the speed of the ball at the bottom of the first plane?
b) How long does it take to roll down the first plane?
c) What is the acceleration along the second plane?
d) What is the ball’s speed 8.00m along the second plane?
(Answers: a) 3.00 m/s b) 6.00 sec c) –0.300 m/s2 d) 2.05m/s)

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
91

6. A student throws a set of keys vertically upward to her friend, who is in a window 4.00m
above. The keys are caught 1.50s later by the friend’s outstretched hand.
a) With what initial velocity were the keys thrown?
b) What was the velocity of the keys just before they were caught?
(Answers: a) 10.0 m/s up b) 4.68 m/s down)

7. In a mining site, bucket ore elevators are used to receive ores dropped from a certain
point. One particular bucket moves up at 3.00 m/s at the instant a lump of ore drops from
a point 90.0 meters above the ground, the bucket is 2.40m above the ground. How far
above the ground will the bucket be when it catches the ore? (Answer: 14.2m above the
ground)

8. A building is 50m tall. A student wishes to drop a tomato from the top of the building
onto the head of his physics professor. If the professor walks at a speed of 1.2 m/s, how
many meters should the professor be from the position below the tomato when it is
dropped.

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
92

9. A burglar drops a bag of loot from a window in a hotel. The bag takes 0.15s to pass the
1.6m tall window of a room as it falls toward the ground. How far above the top of the
window is the burglar who dropped the bag? (The bag’s initial speed was zero.) (Answer:
5.0m)

10. A ball is shot vertically into air at a velocity of 58.90 m/s. Four seconds later, another ball
is shot vertically into the air. What initial velocity must the second ball have in order to
meet the first ball 117.8 meters from the ground? (Answer: 48.35 meters)

11. Suppose the velocity of the particle is given by the equation v=m+nt2, where m=10 cm/s
and n=2 cm/s3. (a) Find the change in velocity of the particle in the time interval t1=2 s
and t2=5 s. (b) Find the average acceleration in his time interval. (c) Find the
instantaneous acceleration at time t1= 2s.

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
93

12. The position of the particle moving on an x-axis is given by x=7.8+9.2t-2.1t3, with x in
meters and t in seconds. What are its velocity and acceleration at t=3.5 s?

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

1. Draw a free-body diagram of a block which slides down a frictionless plane having an
inclination of  = 15.0°. The block starts from rest at the top and the length of the incline
is 2.00m. Find:
a) the acceleration of the block,
b) its speed when it reaches the bottom of the incline, and
c) if the block is given an initial velocity of 5.00 m/s up a frictionless 20.0°
incline, how far up the incline does the block slide before coming to rest?
(Answer: 3.73m)

Fig. 5.11

2. Two blocks connected by a rope of negligible mass are being dragged by a horizontal
force F. Suppose that F = 68.0N, m1 = 12.0 kg, m2 = 18.0 kg, and the coefficient of kinetic
friction between each block and the surface is 0.100.Draw a free-body diagram for each
block.

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
94
Determine the tension T and the magnitude of the acceleration of the system.
(Answers: 27.2N , 1.29 m/s2)

T
m1 m2 F

Fig. 5.12

3. Find the tension in ach cord and the acceleration of the blocks. The coefficient of friction
for all contact surfaces is 0.15 and the pulleys are frictionless. (Answers: a = 2.51 m/s2 ,
T = 227N , T1 = 102N)

T
500N
A B 100N
4 T1 250N
3 C

Fig. 5.13

4. Find the weight of block B in the figure shown to give the system an acceleration of 5.00
m/s2 starting from rest. Block A is 20.0 kg and the coefficient of friction under A is 0.50
and under B is 0.2 (Answer: 774N)

Mechanics and Heat

 Chapter 5 : FORCES AND MOTION
95

60°

Fig. 5.14

5. In a simple Atwood’s machine, two 396-N weight are attached to the ends of a cord
overhanging a frictionless pulley. A small mass, m, is attached to one of the two blocks
causing it to move down 152.4 cm in 2.00 seconds, staring from rest. Determine the
mass, m. (Answer: 6.81 kg)

m
A B

Fig. 5.15

Mechanics and Heat