T2.

2C Newton’s 2 law
nd

of motion
Newton’s 2nd law

The rate of change of momentum is directly

proportional to the unbalanced (net/resultant) force
and is in the same direction
F = ma
The net force on a body is proportional to that body’s
acceleration and is in the same direction as the
acceleration.

NB: Must know both definitions by heart 

Example question F = ma

An object has a mass of 25 kg. A tension of 50 N

pulling it and a friction force of 30 N are acting
on it as shown. What is its acceleration?
N

50 N
Ff T
30 N
W
Example question F = ma

A mass of 10kg is sliding down a slop of 35. If

the friction opposing the motion of the box is
20N, what is the acceleration of the box?
normal
friction

35 W
Example question F = ma
A crate of mass of 5 kg is to be dragged across the
floor by a force of 60N. The co-efficients of static
and dynamic friction are 0.75 and 0.60 respectively.

a) determine if the crate will move. R

b) what is its acceleration if it moves? 60N
30
F

W
Elevator question F = ma

A man of mass 70kg is moving upward in an elevator at a

constant speed of 3ms-1. The elevator comes to rest in a
time of 2s. What is the normal force on the man from
the elevator floor during the period of deceleration?
A Pulley
A pulley is a device consisting of a wheel over which a
rope or chain is pulled to lift heavy objects onto tall
heights. They change the direction of an applied force
and they can even reduce the force needed to lift a
weight. Pulley systems are commonly used in
constructions.

Normally, in physics, pulley are assumed to be weightless

and frictionless.
Atwood’s machine F = ma

Two masses of m = 4.0 kg and

M = 6.0 kg are joined together
by a string that passes over a
pulley. The masses are held T T
stationary and suddenly
released. What is the
acceleration of each mass? mg
Mg
Double pulley system
Two masses of M1 = 4.0 kg
and M2 = 6.0 kg are joined
together by a string that
passes over two pulleys. The
masses are held stationary and
suddenly released. What is the
acceleration of each mass?
Double pulley system

M1 = 4 kg and M2 = 6 kg

g = 10 ms-2
a2
a1 40 - T = 4a1

2T – 60 = 6a2
Double pulley system
Now we look for the third equation:

If M1 goes up a distance s, the M2

must come down a distance of s/2 in
a2 that same time period.
a1
Hence,

s = ½a1t2

s/2 = ½a2t2

Finally, we have

a1 = 2a2
Double pulley system
We have three equations:

40 - T = 4a1

2T – 60 = 6a2
a2
a1
a1 = 2a2

Solve them to obtain:

a1 = 20/11 ms-2

a2 = 10/11 ms-2

T = 360/11 N