FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Class 6: Problem Solving with Free-Body Diagrams

Unit 2: Forces

Grade 11 Physics

Meritus Academy

Winter 2024

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Previously, on Grade 11 Physics

To calculate acceleration ⃗a, we need the vector sum of all the forces, called the net force
(⃗Fnet ), acting on the object. Then the ⃗a can be found using the second law of motion:

⃗Fnet
⃗Fnet = m⃗a −→ ⃗a =
m

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams

Usually the direction of the forces are known, for example:

Gravity ⃗Fg : down
Normal force ⃗FN : perpendicular to the support surface
Friction (⃗Fs or ⃗Fk ): opposing sliding motion at the surface
But the magnitude of those forces may not be, for example:
Magnitude of friction depends on normal force

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams

We use free-body diagrams (FBD) to visually represent all the forces, and to aid the
process of solving dynamics problems.
Very important in solving any dynamics problems
Don’t try to skip this step

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams

Step 1: Draw a “big dot” to represent the centre of mass of the object
All forces acting on the object are represented by arrows pointing away from the
object

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams
Step 2: Define a coordinate system (x and y axes)
The axes can be defined in any arbitrary direction, but,
To simplify the problem-solving process, align one axis with the direction of motion
(usually x axis)
The other axis will have no net force
y

y x y

x x

This step can be done at the beginning or at the end

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams

Step 3a: Add the gravitational force (weight) ⃗Fg

The force is represented by an arrow originating at the centre of mass
⃗Fg always points down, with a magnitude of mg
Acceptable labels of the gravitational force include ⃗Fg and m⃗g
y y
y
x

x x

⃗Fg ⃗Fg
⃗Fg

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams

Step 3b: If the object support by a surface, there is also a normal force ⃗FN
Not every problem has ⃗FN , only the ones where the object is on a surface!
⃗FN is always perpendicular to the contact surface
Acceptable labels of the normal force include ⃗FN , ⃗Fn and ⃗N
⃗FN ⃗FN y y
x
y
x
x

⃗Fg ⃗Fg
⃗Fg

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams

Step 3c: Is the object being pulled/pushed explicitly by an applied force ⃗Fa ?
Not every problem has an applied force; read the questions carefully!
The direction of ⃗Fa is usually given in the problem
⃗FN ⃗FN y y
x
y
⃗Fa x
⃗Fa x

⃗Fg ⃗Fg
⃗Fg

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams
Step 3d: Is the object moving against a surface? Is there any friction?
The direction of the friction force is opposite the direction of motion
In order to know the magnitude of Ff , you must first compute FN
Acceptable labels of frictional force include ⃗Ff ,⃗f generally, ⃗Fk and⃗fk for kinetic
friction, and ⃗Fs and fs for static friction
⃗FN ⃗FN y y
x
y
⃗Fa x
⃗Ff ⃗Ff
⃗Fa x

⃗Fg ⃗Fg
⃗Fg

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams

Step 3e: Are there any other forces?

Is it being pulled by a cable?
If so, there is a tension force along the direction of the rope
Is it moving in air or another fluid?
If so, there is also fluid resistance (i.e. drag)
Note that most problems in Grade 11 Physics ignore drag

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Free-Body Diagrams
For simple problems not involving rotations, the final free-body diagram does not
require drawing the object itself.
Make sure the arrows representing the forces originate at the centre of mass
Generally a good practice to approximately scale the lengths of the arrows to the
magnitude of the forces, although that is not always possible or practical
⃗FN y
⃗FD
⃗FN
x y
y
⃗Fa
⃗Ff ⃗Ff
⃗Fa x x

⃗Fg ⃗Fg
⃗Fg

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Solving Force Problem

Now that the free-body diagram is properly drawn, we can solve the dynamics problem
to find the object’s acceleration.
1 Decompose all the forces into their x and y components
2 Sum the forces along the direction that has no motion, and therefore no net force
(usually y axis), i.e.

∑ Fy = 0
3 Sum the forces along the direction of motion to find the acceleration1

∑ Fx = ma
4 Once a is known, use kinematic equations to solve the motion of the object
1 Depending on the problem, acceleration may be zero
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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Normal Force on a Slope

There is a relationship between gravity an normal force for an object on a slope:

FN y
x FN = mg cos θ

mg sin θ As the ramp angle increase:

θ
normal force FN = mg cos θ decreases, while
θ mg cos θ
the component of gravity along the ramp (mg sin θ)
mg increases

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Procedures in Solving Dynamic Problems

A crate of mass m is being pushed along a level floor. The coefficient of kinetic friction
between the crate and floor is µ. Step 3: Apply 2nd law of motion in
the y-dir to solve for FN . There is
no vertical motion, so forces in the
Step 1: Draw a free-body diagram and y-dir must balance:
label all forces acting on the crate ⃗FN
∑ Fy = FN − mg = 0
FN = mg
Step 2: Decompose all forces on the ⃗Fk ⃗Fa
crate into their x and y components: Step 4: Apply 2nd law of motion
y
- ⃗Fa and ⃗Fk are along the x-dir ⃗Fg along the x-dir, and using the ex-
- ⃗FN and ⃗Fg are along the y-dir pression for FN above:
x
∑ Fx = Fa − Fk = ma
Fa − µmg = ma

Once we have the equation along the x direction, we can solve the problem. . .
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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Procedures in Solving Dynamic Problems

In this example, this is the equation that we have:

Fa − µmg = ma

If the question asks for the If the question asks for the If the question asks the
acceleration of the crate, applied force for a known coefficient of friction for zero
then we have acceleration, then we have acceleration, then we have
Fa Fa
a= − µg Fa = m(a + µg) µ=
m mg

What you solve for will depend on the question itself. The question can be numerical
(i.e. solving for an actual number) or algebraic (i.e. find an algebraic expression) which is
more common in higher level physics courses

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Procedures in Solving Dynamic Problems

A slightly more difficult problem: a box of mass m is being pushed up a rough ramp of
angle θ. The coefficient of friction between the box and floor is µ.

Step 1: Draw a free-body diagram and

⃗N Step 3: Apply 2nd law of motion in the
y-dir to solve for N. There is no vertical
label all forces acting on the crate, like ⃗Fa motion, so forces along y-dir must balance:
we did for the previous example
∑ Fy = N − Fgy = 0
⃗f
Step 2: Decompose all forces on the box N − mg cos θ = 0 → N = mg cos θ
into their x and y components: ⃗Fgy θ
- ⃗Fa and ⃗f along the x-dir only ⃗Fgx Step 4: Apply 2nd law of motion in the
- ⃗N along the y-dir only m⃗g x-dir, and substitute the expression for N
- ⃗Fg = m⃗g has both x- and y-components: y that we found earlier:
x
Fgx = mg sin θ
∑ Fx = Fa − f − Fgx = ma
Fgy = mg cos θ
Fa − µmg cos θ − mg sin θ = ma

Again, once we have the equation along the x direction, we can solve the problem. . .
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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Terminal Velocity
Air resistance acting on a moving object increases as it speeds up. A falling object will
not accelerate infinitely. Instead, it reaches a terminal velocity.
There is no air resistance when Drag FD increases as v Terminal velocity is reached
the object begins to fall. Only increases. Magnitude of when the drag force equals the
gravity acts on the object; acceleration decreases, but the object’s weight. There is no net
acceleration is due to gravity object continues to increase force, and therefore no
alone. speed. acceleration.

⃗FD ⃗FD ⃗FD

⃗FD

⃗Fg ⃗Fg ⃗Fg

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Example Problem

Example: A horizontal force of 85 N is required to pull a child in a sled at constant

velocity over snow to overcome the force of friction. The child and sled have a
combined mass of 52 kg. Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction between the sled
and the snow.

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Example Problem
Example: A man is riding in an elevator. The combined mass
of the man and the elevator is 7.00 × 102 kg. Calculate the
magnitude and direction of the elevator’s acceleration if the
tension in the supporting cable is 7.50 × 103 N.

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Example Problem
Example: A curler exerts an average force of 9.50 N on a
20.0 kg stone. The stone started from rest and was in
contact with her hand for 1.86 s, Assuming the ice is
frictionless, determine:
a the average acceleration of the stone
b the velocity of the stone when the curler releases it

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Multi-body Problem
What if two or more objects are connected to each other?

All objects have the same acceleration

Require multiple free-body diagrams (one FBD for each object)

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Solving Multi-body Problem

To solve a multi-body problem, you can follow these procedures:

1 Draw a FBD on each of the objects
2 Sum forces on all the objects along the direction of motion
Direction of motion are usually obvious
Action-reaction pairs of forces should cancel, because they are internal forces rather
than external
3 Compute the acceleration of the entire system using the second law of motion
4 Go back to the FBD of each of the objects and compute unknown forces

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Example: Objects Connected by Massless Cables

Example: Two masses (m1 and m2 ) are connected by a massless cable, and pulled to the
right by an external force ⃗F across a level surface. The coefficient of friction between the
masses and the surface is µ.

T
m2 m1 ⃗F

a What are the forces acting on each of the masses?

b What is the acceleration of the system, assuming that the cable does not break?
c What is the tension force T in the cable?

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Example Problem: Stacked Boxes

Example: A man stacks a small block of wood on top
of a larger block and then moves both by pushing the
bottom block. The large block has a mass of 45 kg,
and the smaller block has a mass of 25 kg. The
coefficient of static friction between the two blocks is
0.45. What is the maximum acceleration of the blocks
without having the smaller block slide off the top?

Hint: Ask yourself, if both blocks are accelerating together, what forces pulling the top
block?

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 FBD Dynamics Problems Multi-Body Problems

Example Problem: Atwood Machine

An Atwood machine is made of two objects connected by a rope

that runs over a pulley. The pulley allows the direction of force
and direction of motion to change between two objects.

Example: The object on the left (m1 ) has a mass of 8.5 kg and the
m1 object on the right (m2 ) has a mass of 17 kg.
a. What is the acceleration of the masses?
m2 b. What is the tension in the rope?

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