PHYSICS 71

Chapter 6 Applying Newton’s Laws

11 Newton’s 2nd Law:
Dynamics of Particles

National Institute of Physics

College of Science
University of the Philippines Diliman
Annotated by: Geronimo Allan Jerome Acosta

In this lecture we will apply Newton’s 2nd law to various

problems involving accelerating objects.

1
 2
Recall: Newton’s Second Law
A (non zero) net force acting on an object causes the object
to accelerate in the same direction as the net force.
For any given object, the magnitude of the acceleration is
directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force acting on
the body.
෍ 𝑭 = 𝑚𝒂
𝑁 𝑁 𝑁

෍ 𝑭𝑖𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 , ෍ 𝑭𝑖𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦 , ෍ 𝑭𝑖𝑧 = 𝑚𝑎𝑧

𝑖=1 𝑖=1 𝑖=1

Alternatively,
σ𝑭
𝒂=
𝑚

2
 3
Dynamics problems involve Newton’s second law
The systems have net force not equal to zero.
෍ 𝑭 = 𝑚𝒂
𝑁 𝑁 𝑁

෍ 𝑭𝑖𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 , ෍ 𝑭𝑖𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦 , ෍ 𝑭𝑖𝑧 = 𝑚𝑎𝑧

𝑖=1 𝑖=1 𝑖=1

Note: 𝑚𝒂 is not a force and does not belong in FBDs.

We apply Newton’s 2nd law to problems involving non zero net

forces on the object.
Recall that 𝑚𝒂 is not a force so it does not belong in the Free-
Body diagram.

3
Problem Solving Tips
▪ Always start with the free-body diagram.
▪ Identify the axis and label all the forces.
▪ Identify the components of force vectors along the x-axis
and along the y-axis.
▪ Set-up the equation independently for each axis.
▪ If you have the equations, solve what is being asked.

▪ In inclined. Placing one axis parallel to the plane will

make problems easier to solve.

4
 Recall: Kinematics equations ☺
𝑣 = 𝑎𝑡 + 𝑣0

𝑥 − 𝑥0 𝑣 + 𝑣0
=
𝑡 2
1
𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
𝑣 2 = 𝑣02 + 2𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )

We will the Kinematic equations we have previously derived.

5
 Straight Line Motion with Constant Force
Example 1
An iceboat is at rest on a frictionless horizontal surface. A wind is
blowing along the direction of the runners so that 4.00 s after the boat
is released, it is moving at 6.00 m/s. What constant horizontal force Fw
does the wind exert on the iceboat? The combined mass of the iceboat
and the rider is 200. kg.
Given:
t = 4.0s
v0 = 0
vf =6.0m/s
mT = 200kg
Unknown: Fw

First draw the Free-Body diagram of the iceboat. Note that 𝑚𝒂

is not included in the FBD.

6
 Straight Line Motion with Constant Force
Example 1
An iceboat is at rest on a frictionless horizontal surface. A wind is
blowing along the direction of the runners so that 4.00 s after the boat
is released, it is moving at 6.00 m/s. What constant horizontal force Fw
does the wind exert on the iceboat? The combined mass of the iceboat
and the rider is 200. kg.

2nd Law:
(1) 𝐹𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹𝑊 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
Using kinematics we calculate the acceleration,
(2) 𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0,𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡
𝑚
𝑣𝑥 − 𝑣0,𝑥 6.00 𝑠 − 0
(3) 𝑎𝑥 = = = 1.50 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑡 4.00 𝑠
Substituting to equation 1,
𝑚
(4) 𝐹𝑊 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 200. 𝑘𝑔 1.50 2
𝑠
(5) 𝐹𝑊 = 300. 𝑁

From Newton’s 2nd law we can calculate the force needed,

equation 1.
Since we need the acceleration, we use kinematic equations,
equation 1.
Solving for the acceleration and substituting values we get,
1.50 m/s 2 .
Substituting to equation 1, we get 300 N.

7
Force applied at an angle
Example 2
During your winter break, you enter a sled pulling race. Wearing cleats
for traction, you begin the race by pulling on a rope to the sled with a
force of 150 N at 25◦ with the horizontal. The mass of the sled is 80. kg
and there is negligible friction between the sled and ice.
(a) Find the acceleration of the sled.
(b) Find the normal force exerted by the surface on the sled.
Given:
T = 150 N
𝜃 = 250
mS = 80. kg
Unknown: 𝑎𝑠, 𝐹𝑛

8
 Force applied at an angle
Example 2
During your winter break, you enter a sled pulling race. Wearing cleats
for traction, you begin the race by pulling on a rope to the sled with a
force of 150 N at 25◦ with the horizontal. The mass of the sled is 80. kg
and there is negligible friction between the sled and ice.
(a) Find the acceleration of the sled.
Write Newton’s 2nd law along the x-direction:
(1) 𝐹𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 cos 25 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑇 cos 25 150𝑁 cos 25
(2) 𝑎𝑥 = =
𝑚 80. 𝑘𝑔
(3) 𝑎𝑥 = 1.7 𝑚/𝑠 2

First draw the Free-Body diagram of the iceboat. Note that 𝑚𝒂

is not included in the FBD.
Write Newton’s 2nd law along the 𝑥-direction, equation 1.
Solving for the acceleration we get equation 2. Substituting
values we get 1.7 m/s 2 .

9
 Force applied at an angle
Example 2
During your winter break, you enter a sled pulling race. Wearing cleats
for traction, you begin the race by pulling on a rope to the sled with a
force of 150 N at 25◦ with the horizontal. The mass of the sled is 80. kg
and there is negligible friction between the sled and ice.
(b) Find the normal force exerted by the surface on the sled.
Write Newton’s 2nd law along the y-direction:
(1) 𝐹𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹𝑛 + 𝑇 sin 25 − 𝑚𝑔 = 0
(2) 𝐹𝑛 = −𝑇 sin 25 + 𝑚𝑔
9.8m
(3) 𝐹𝑛 = −(150𝑁) sin 25 + 80. 𝑘𝑔
s2
(4) 𝐹𝑛 = 720 𝑁

To find the normal force, we write Newton’s 2nd law along the 𝑦-
direction, equation 1. Note that the acceleration in the vertical
is zero.
Solving for the normal force we get equation 2. Substituting
values we get equation 3, and we have 720 N.

10
 Acceleration at an incline
Example 3
You unload a van by sliding its cargo down a ramp that has rollers (i.e.,
the ramp is approximately frictionless). The ramp is inclined at an angle
θ to the horizontal. For a box of mass m, find both the acceleration of
the box as it slides down the ramp and the normal force exerted by
the ramp on the box.

Given:
𝜃=𝜃
mb = m
Unknown: 𝑎𝑠, and 𝐹𝑛

First draw the Free-Body diagram and set the direction of the
coordinates axes. We choose the 𝑥-direction along the incline
with the positive downwards, the 𝑦-axis perpendicular to the
incline.

11
 Acceleration at an incline
Example 3
You unload a van by sliding its cargo down a ramp that has rollers (i.e.,
the ramp is approximately frictionless). The ramp is inclined at an angle
θ to the horizontal. For a box of mass m, find both the acceleration of
the box as it slides down the ramp and the normal force exerted by
the ramp on the box.
Write Newton’s 2nd law along each direction:
(1) 𝐹𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑊 sin 𝜃 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
(2) 𝐹𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹𝑛 − 𝑊 cos 𝜃 = 0
Solve for the acceleration, from equation 1
(3)
𝑊 sin 𝜃 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃
𝑎𝑥 = =
𝑚 𝑚
(4) 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑔 sin 𝜃
Solve for the normal force, from equation 2
(5) 𝐹𝑛 = 𝑊 cos 𝜃
(6) 𝐹𝑛 = 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝜃

Writing Newton’s 2nd law along each direction. Along the 𝑥-

direction we get equation 1, and along the 𝑦-direction we get
equation 2. Note that the acceleration along the 𝑦-direction is
zero. Using equation 1 we solve for the acceleration, equation 3,
and we get equation 4.
Solving for the normal force from equation 2, we get equation
6.

12
 Apparent Weight
Example 4
In a strange building, a spring scale is placed inside an elevator. Out of
curiosity, a man carrying a fish of mass m decided to weigh his fish.
(a) If the elevator accelerates upward or downward of rate ±𝑎, what
weight does the spring scale give?

Writing Newton’s 2nd law for the fish

(1) 𝐹𝑦,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑇 − 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦 .
Solving for the tension,
(2) 𝑇 = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎𝑦 ).
For 𝑎𝑦 = +𝑎, we get
(3) 𝑇 = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎).
For 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑎, we get
(4) 𝑇 = 𝑚(𝑔 − 𝑎).

First draw the Free-Body diagram of the fish. Note that the
measurement given by the scale is given by the magnitude of
the Tension.
Writing Newton’s 2nd law along the y-direction we get equation
1. Solving for the tension we get equation 2.
For positive/upward acceleration we get equation 3 – the
apparent weight is larger.
For negative/downward acceleration we get equation 4 – the
apparent weight is smaller.

13
 Apparent Weight
Example 4
In a strange building, a spring scale is placed inside an elevator. Out of
curiosity, a man carrying a fish of mass m decided to weigh his fish.
(b) Evaluate the scale readings for a 40.0-N fish if the elevator moves
with an acceleration ay = ±2.00m/s2

The mass of the fish is given by,

𝑊 40.0 𝑁
(1) 𝑚= =
𝑔 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2
= 4.08 𝑘𝑔.
The tension is given by,
(2) 𝑇 = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎𝑦 ).
For 𝑎𝑦 = +2.00 𝑚/𝑠 2 , we get
𝑚 𝑚
(3) 𝑇 = 4.08 𝑘𝑔 9.8 2 + 2.00 2
𝑠 𝑠
(4) 𝑇 = 48.1 𝑁
For 𝑎𝑦 = −2.00 𝑚/𝑠 2 , we get
𝑚 𝑚
(5) 𝑇 = 4.08 𝑘𝑔 9.8 2 − 2.00 2
𝑠 𝑠
(6) 𝑇 = 31.8 𝑁

We can calculate the mass of the fish from its weight, equation
1.
From the derived expression of tension, equation 2, we
substitute the acceleration.
For positive we get equation 3 then 4. We get a higher apparent
weight.
For negative we get equation 5 then 6. We get a lower apparent
weight.

14
EXERCISE
Two blocks of mass m1 and m2, with m1 > m2, are placed in contact
with each other on a frictionless horizontal surface. A constant
horizontal force is applied to m1.
(a) Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the system.
(b) Determine the magnitude of the contact force between the two
blocks.

15
 EXERCISE
Two blocks of mass m1 and m2, with m1 > m2, are placed in contact
with each other on a frictionless horizontal surface. A constant
horizontal force is applied to m1.
(a) Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the system.
(1) 𝐹𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹 = 𝑚1 + 𝑚2 𝑎
𝐹
(2) 𝑎= , to the right
𝑚1 +𝑚2

(b) Determine the magnitude of the contact force between the two
blocks. 𝑭
𝑭𝟐 𝒐𝒏 𝟏
(3) 𝐹1𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹 − 𝐹2 𝑜𝑛 1 = 𝑚1 𝑎
𝑚1 𝐹 𝑚1 𝑚2
(4) 𝐹2 𝑜𝑛 1 = 𝐹 − 𝑚𝑎 = 𝐹 − 𝑚 = 𝐹 1 −𝑚 = 𝐹, to the left
1 +𝑚2 1 +𝑚2 𝑚1 +𝑚2

𝑭𝟏 𝒐𝒏 𝟐
(5) 𝐹2𝑥,𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹1 𝑜𝑛 2 = 𝑚2 𝑎
𝑚2
(6) 𝐹1 𝑜𝑛 2 = 𝐹, to the right
𝑚1 +𝑚2

To determine the acceleration of the system we use the

Newton’s first law on the two blocks as a whole system,
equation 1. Solving for the acceleration we get equation 2.
To determine the contact force between the blocks we use
Newton’s 2nd law on block 1, equation 3. Solving for the force
the block 2 exerts on block 1 we get equation 4. Note that the
force is directed to the left. Using Newton’s 3rd law we get
equation 6. Note that this is equal in magnitude but opposite in
direction.

16
Credits/References
▪ University Physics 13th Ed, H. Young and R. Freedman
Pearson Education 2014
▪ Halliday, Resnick, Fundamentals of Physics, 9th ed.
▪ Physics 71 Lectures by J Vance, M Flores, A Lacaba, PJ
Blancas,
G Pedemonte, DL Sombillo, K Agapito

17