sample problems and physics

concept applications
ENHANCEMENT SCIENCE
Example 1
 A 70 kg. box is pulled
by a 400 N force at an
angle of 30o to the
horizontal. The
coefficient of sliding
friction is 0.50. Find
the acceleration of the
box.
Solution
 ∑Fy = may = 0 since there is no vertical movement
 Then it follows that Y + 200 – mg = 0
 But mg = (70 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 686 N
 Thus Y = 486 N
 For the Frictional force acting on the box
 F = µY = (0.50)(486N) = 243 N
 ∑Fx = max
 (400cos30o – 243)N = 70ax
 ax = 1.47 m/s2
Example 2
 A horizontal force P is
exerted on 20 kg. box in
order to slide it up a 30o
incline. The friction force
retarding the motion is 80 N.
How large must P be if the
acceleration of the moving
box is at 0.75 m/s2 ?
Solution
 Taking all forces acting along the incline as x – axis
 ∑Fx = max
 Pcos30o – wsin30o – f = max
m = 20 kg; w = mg = (20)(9.8) = 196 N and f = 80 N; then
 Pcos30o – 196sin30o – 80 = (20)(0.75)
 Solving for P gives
P= 223 N
Problem 3
 A passenger on a large ship sailing in a quiet sea hangs a ball
from the ceiling of her cabin by means of a long thread.
Whenever the ship accelerates, she notes that the pendulum
lags behind the point of suspension and so the pendulum no
longer hangs vertically. How fast is the ship accelerating
when the pendulum stands at an angle of 5 o to the vertical?
Solution
 The ball is moved by the force equal to Tsin5o
 Thus Tsin5o = ma  equation 1
 ∑Fy = 0, thus Tcos5o = mg  equation 2
 Dividing equation 1 by equation 2 gives
 Tan5o =
a = gtan5o = (9.8)tan5o
a = 0.86 m/s2
Problem 4
 In the figure, mass A is 15 kg. and mass B is
11 kg. If both objects are given an upward
acceleration of 3 m/s2 by pulling up on A, find
the Tensions T1 and T2.
Solution
 Applying F = ma to the whole system
 F1 = (mA + mB)a = (15 + 11)3 = 78 N
 F1 is also the resultant force being able to pull the two masses and
 F1 = T1 – (mA + mB)g in which solving for T1
 T1 = F1 + (mA + mB)g = 78 + (15 +11)9.8 = 332.8 N
 Isolating for mass B only
 F2 = mBa = 11(3) = 33 N
 T2 = mBg + F2 = (11)9.8 + 33 = 140.8 N
 T1 = mAg + mAa + T2 = 147 + 45 + 140.8 = 332.8 N
Problem 5
 A plane is travelling eastward at an airspeed of 500 kph. But a
90 kph wind is blowing southward. What is the velocity of the
plane relative to the ground?
Solution
 Compute for the resultant velocity of the plane
R =
R = 508 kph
 Tan a=
 a = tan-1(0.18)
 a = 10o
 The plane’s velocity relative to the ground is 508 kph at 10o SE
Problem 6
A force (15i – 16j +27k) N is added to a force (23j –
40k) N. What is the magnitude of the resultant?
Solution
Problem 7
Convert the speed of 0.200 cm/s to km/year
Solution
Problem 8
A runner makes one lap around a 200 meter track in a
time of 25 seconds. What were the runner’s
Average speed
Average velocity
Solution