Forces Practice Problems

Use your knowledge and ability in solving force problems to solve the following problems. You will need to use the following
equations:
Fg=mg Where Fg is force of gravity, m is mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (-9.8m/s2)
FN=mgcos(φ) Where FN is the normal force and φ is the angle between the surface and the ground for
inclined plane problems (only if no other vertical forces)
Ffsmax≤μsFN Where Ffsmax is the maximum static force of friction and μs is the coefficient of static friction.
Ffk=μkFN Where Ffk is the static force of friction and μk is the coefficient of kinetic friction.
ΣFx=max Where ΣFx is the sum of forces in the x direction and ax is the acceleration in the x direction.
Fx=Fcos(θ) Where Fx is the x component of any force and F is any force (Except for Normal Force).
Fy=Fsin(θ) Where Fy is the y component of any force and F is any force (Except for Normal Force).
ΣF=√(ΣFx +ΣFy )
2 2
Where ΣF is the sum of all forces in all directions, ΣFx is the sum of forces in the x direction,
and ΣFy is the sum of forces in the y direction
θ=tan (ΣFy/ΣFx)
-1
Where θ is the angle of the sum of all forces, ΣFx is the sum of forces in the x direction, and
ΣFy is the sum of forces in the y direction
Fgx=mgsin(φ) Where Fgx is the x (parallel) component of gravity in an inclined plane problem, m is mass, g
is the acceleration due to gravity (-9.8m/s2), and φ is the angle between the surface and the
ground.
Fgy=mgcos(φ) Where Fgy is the y (perpendicular) component of gravity in an inclined plane problem.
Fs=-k(x-x0) Where Fs is the spring force and k is the spring constant.

Additionally, you will need to use the motion equations from the previous unit. They are:
2
x=x0+vx0t+½axt Where x is final position, x0 is initial position, vx0 is initial velocity, t is time, ax is acceleration
vx2=vx02+2ax(x-x0) Where vx is final velocity.
axt=vx-vx0
x-x0=½(vx+vx0)t

Part A: Forces at right angles with friction.

1. Barley‘s trusty van Guinevere is stuck, again. It is not moving, and Barley and Ian need to get it to a gas station. If it
has a mass of 2100kg, and a coefficient of kinetic friction with the road of 0.81, how hard would they need continually
push it to achieve an acceleration that would allow them to reach the gas station 20000m to the East before sundown
in 20 minutes?
Example Problem: First draw a free body diagram. No forces are specifically mentioned, but
there is definitely gravity, and the road is applying a normal force to keep the van from
falling. Barley and Ian are pushing the van with an applied force to the East (we’ll make that
to the right in our diagram), and we should assume there is a friction force resisting, since
we have a coefficient of friction. Normal force and gravity definitely have to be the same,
since there is no net force vertically. Applied force is probably bigger than friction, since we
are being asked about an acceleration.

Next we need to list our givens. Don’t forget to express each one in terms of our basic units
(like seconds, meters, etc):
m=2100kg, µk=0.81, x=20000m, t=20min=1200s.
Additionally, we should define x0=0 and assume that vx0=0. Our goal is Fapp?

Let’s find some equations and create a strategy. In order to find Fapp, we should start by considering the net force in the x
direction.
ΣFx=Fapp+Ffk
Unfortunately, we don’t know any of these numbers, so we can’t even begin to do any substitution here. We clearly need more
equations to try to figure out the other variables. To find ΣFx we can use mass and acceleration:
ΣFx=max
We know m, but we still don’t know ax, so even though we can start substitution by saying ΣFx=(2100kg)ax,
we still can’t solve this. To find ax we will need to use a kinematics equation. We are looking for one with position, time, initial
velocity (but not final velocity), and acceleration.
x=x0+vx0t+½axt2
Finally, we know enough to do substitution and begin to figure this out.
20000m=0+0(1200s)+½ax(1200s)2
20000m=½ax(1200s)2
40000m=ax(1440000s2)
0.028m/s2=ax
With this answer, we can revisit our previous formula.
ΣFx=(2100kg)(0.028m/s2)
ΣFx=58N
And we can go ahead and revisit the one before.
58N= Fapp+Ffk
Unfortunately, we still can’t solve this one. We will need to find Ff first.
Ffk=FNµk
We can substitute a little in this one (Ffk=FN(0.81)), but we still can’t solve it. We need FN first.
ΣFy=FN+Fg
Again, we can substitute a little (0=FN+Fg), but our new problem is Fg.
Fg=mg
Finally, we can start solving, working backwards again.
Fg=(2100kg)(9.8m/s2)=20580N
0=FN-20580N *Fg is negative here because it points down.
FN=20580N
Ffk=20580N(0.81)=16670N
And finally, back to our first equation:
58N=Fapp-16670N *Again, negative because left.
Fapp=16728N
Finally, we have our answer!
2. Maui applies a 6000N force to move an 800kg rock in order to trap Moana in a cave. If the rock needs to move 4m and
there is a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.6, how long will it take him to move it into place? (2.22s)
3. King Simba has a great idea. If we can build a rock wall, we can stop the buffalo from stampeding through the gorge,
and nobody ever needs to die the way poor Mufasa did (*pour one out for Mufasa*). If the rocks that make the wall
each have a mass of 5000kg, and they have a static friction coefficient of 0.85, how hard would the buffalo have to
push to move the wall out of the way? (>42500N)
4. Remy is trapped a rat trap! In order to get him out, his father is trying to push a gargoyle off of the roof of a nearby
building onto the trap. If the gargoyle has a mass of 15kg, and a coefficient of friction of 0.85, how long will it take
Remy’s father to move it 1m with a 145N force? (1.22s)
Part B: Static vs. Kinetic Friction
1. A friend of mine was reaching for a container of acid on a high shelf. If she applies a 4N force to the left on the 2kg
container of acid, and the container has a coefficient of kinetic friction with the shelf of 0.5 and a coefficient of static
friction of 0.6, what is the acceleration of the container?
Example problem: First draw a free body diagram. I don’t know if friction or applied
force is bigger than each other, so for now, I will draw them the same size.
Our givens are Fapp=-4N (negative because left), m=2kg, µk=0.5, µs=0.6. We are
looking for ax=?
First, lets find an equation for ax. Since this is a force problem, I would rather use
Newton’s 2nd Law than a kinematics equation.
ΣFx=max
We can substitute ΣFx=(2kg)ax, but since we don’t know whether the box is moving, we don’t know ΣFx.
ΣFx=Ff+Fapp
Now we have to figure out what the friction force is, and here is where it gets a little complicated. We don’t know whether to
use static or kinetic friction. So lets try static friction first. If we are using static friction, ΣFx=0 and Ffs=-Fapp=-4N. We are going
to investigate whether this is possible by comparing it to the maximum static friction, Ffsmax.
Ffsmax=FNµs
Again, we’re stuck. We need to find normal force.
ΣFy=FN+Fg=0
FN=-Fg=-mg=-(2kg)(-9.8m/s2)=19.6N
This means that the maximum static friction is
Ffsmax= FNµs=(19.6N)(0.6)=11.76N
Since this is bigger than the proposed force of friction (4N), the object stays still, and the acceleration is 0.
2. Hercules pushes a large 1200kg rock out of a cave entrance with a force of 10000N. If the rock has a coefficient of
static friction of 0.8 and a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.65, what is its acceleration of the rock? (1.96m/s2)
3. Lightning McQueen is moving at 100m/s, has a weight of 11000N, and is trying to come to a panic stop before getting
into an accident 220m away. If his tires have a coefficient of static friction of 0.78 and a coefficient of kinetic friction of
0.55, will he be able to stop in time? It would take 654m (or 926m if you do not have anti-lock braking) to stop so no.
4. Vanellope Von Schweetz is trying to push King Candy’s car out of the way. If she applies a force of 13000N to his 1600
kg car, how fast will she get him moving after 12s. King Candy’s car starts at rest and has slammed on his brakes. His car
has a coefficient of static friction of 0.8 and a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.6? (26.94m/s)
Part C: Unbalanced Vertical Forces
1. Dory is going to lose the goggles she found! She’ll never remember what’s written on them (P. Sherman, 43 Wallaby
Way, Sydney). They’re resting on the ground, and in order to recover them, she pulls them up out of the abyss with a
monumental (for a fish) 4N upward force. If they have a mass of 0.5kg, and the water applies an upward buoyant force
of 2N, how long will it take Dory to get the mask 1000m to the surface?
Example Problem: First draw a free body diagram. For this one, there will be multiple vertical forces.
Next, givens: m=0.5kg, Fapp=4N, Fbuoyant=2N, x=1000m, x0=0, vx0=0. Our goal is t=?
To find t, we need an equation that includes it. Any equation that we choose is going to have things in it that
we don’t know. My usual first instinct is to try this equation.
y=y0+vy0t+1/2ayt2 *Remember, ys instead of xes because this is a vertical problem.
Substituting, we get
1000m=0+0t+1/2ayt2
We know everything in this equation but ay, so let’s figure it out.
ΣFy=may
So far so good, but ΣFy=(0.5kg)ay is still unsolvable, so we need to create an equation to find ΣFy.
ΣFy=Fg+Fapp+Fbuoyant
Now after finding Fg=mg, we can start to solve.
Fg=mg=(0.5kg)(9.8m/s2)=4.9N
ΣFy=-4.9N+4N+2N=1.1N **Don’t forget to make gravity negative because it goes down.
ΣFy=may
1.1N=(0.5kg)ay
ay=2.2m/s2
1000m=1/2(2.2m/s2)t2
909N=t2
t=30s
2. Rapunzel is pulling Mother Gothel up into her tower. If she is using her hair to apply an 800N upward tension force
and Mother Gothel has a mass of 55kg, how long will it take her to get Mother Gothel to the top of the 50m tall
tower? (4.6s)
3. The Psybug that ate King Candy is pulling Wreck It Ralph up into the sky. If Wreck-It Ralph has a mass of 292kg, and is
being pulled up with an acceleration of 5m/s2, how hard is King Candy pulling him? (4321N)
 4. Wall-E (mass 80kg) boards EVE’s rocket. If it takes 22s to reach escape velocity (13000m/s), what is the applied force of
the rocket? (48072N)
Part D: Angled Forces on a Flat Surface
1. Philippe, Maurice’s draft horse, is pulling his 6000N cart on a flat surface using a 745N force on a bridle that pulls
upward at a 15o angle. If the friction force on the cart is 100N, how long will it take Philippe to go 1000m? (44.5s)
(BONUS: What is μ?)
2. Sven is pulling Kristoff’s sleigh on a flat surface with a 600N force at a 10o angle. If the coefficient of friction on the
400kg sleigh is 0.1, what is the acceleration? (0.52m/s2)
3. Hiro has a mass of 55kg and is being lifted by Baymax from the flat roof of the Cray Building. If Baymax pulls up with a
400N force at an angle of 85o above the horizontal, but Hiro does not move, find the Normal force and
coefficient of friction. (140.5N, 0.23) (If you use 10 as g. FN=151.5)
Part E: Angled Forces in Balance
1. In Remy’s new restaurant, the sign has a mass of 2kg and hangs from two chains
that each come up at a 35o angle from the sign. Assuming that each chain has an
equal force, what is the force in each chain? (17.1N)

2. Moana (with a mass of 55kg) is climbing the rigging of one of her ships when she
pauses to survey the horizon. If she is holding on to the mast of her ship and
pulling it horizontally, while also holding a rope that goes up at a 45o angle, how
much force is on the rope? (762N)
3. The 0.1kg Gingerbread Man is being “encouraged” to give information on Fiona’s
whereabouts in Lord Farquad’s dungeon on a vertical stretching rack. If the forces
on his legs are each 40N, and each leg is being pulled at a 70o angle from the
horizontal, what are the forces on his arms if each arm is being pulled upwards at
50o above the horizontal? (49.7N)
Part F: Forces on Angled Surfaces (AKA Inclined Planes)
1. Olaf is sliding down a 40o slope on his way into Arendale to rescue Princess Ana. If μk for snow on snow is 0.2, and Olaf
has a mass of 30kg, What is his acceleration? (4.9 m/s2 when using g=10)
2. Flynn Rider is scooting down a water channel angled at 20o while running from the palace guards. If his feet on wood has
a coefficient of friction of 0.5, and he has a mass of 80kg, will he slow down or speed up? (slow down)
3. Alice is sliding down the rabbit hole at an 80o angle. If her coefficient of friction on the side of the hole is 0.6, and her
mass is 65kg, how quickly will she reach the bottom of the 100m deep rabbit hole? (a=8.81 m/s2 using g=10, length of
the ramp =101.54m, t=4.8s if initial velocity is 0)
Part G: Block Problems
1. A system of blocks is pushed as shown in the image. Find the acceleration of the system, the net forces on each block,
and the force of the 2kg block on the 3kg block.
Example Problem: Draw a free body diagram first.
Find the motion of the system first:
ΣF=ma
20N=(3kg+2kg)a
a=20N/(5kg)=4m/s2
Next work on each block:
ΣF3kg=(3kg)(4m/s2)=12N
ΣF2kg=(2kg)(4m/s2)=8N. Since the force of the 3kg block on the 2kg block is the only force on the 2kg block,
F3on2=ΣF2kg=8N. The force of the 2kg block on the 3kg block is just the reaction to this force. F2on3=-8N
2. A system of blocks is pushed as shown in the upper image to
the right. Find the external force on the system, and the net forces on
each block. If m1=3kg, m2=4kg, m3=5kg, and the system accelerates at
3m/s2. (36N, 9N, 12N, 15N)
3. A system of blocks is pushed as shown in the upper image to
the right. Find the mass of all three blocks if m1=0.5m2, m3=3m1, the
external force on the system is 50N, and the acceleration of the system
is 5m/s2. (1.67kg, 3.33kg, 5kg)
4. A system of blocks is pushed on an inclined plane as shown in
the bottom image to the left. What is the force that needs to be exerted
on block B to keep both blocks from sliding down the incline? What is
the minimum coefficient of friction necessary to prevent block A from
sliding off block B? (35.4N, 0.75)

Part H: Spring Problems

1. A mass of 2kg is hanging from a spring with a spring constant of 4N/m. An identical spring connects
the mass from underneath to the floor as shown in the diagram on the right. When the mass is
released, it will eventually come to a rest. When it does, how far will the upper
spring be stretched?
Example Problem: Draw a free body diagram first. Mine is to the left.
Note that because there are two springs, there will be two forces in the problem.
Recall that spring forces can come from springs that are either stretched or
compressed. We are going to need to create a formula based on the sum of y forces.
ΣFy=Fs+Fs+Fg
If it’s at rest, ΣFy=0.
0=Fs+Fs+Fg
We can quickly find Fg=mg=2kg(9.8m/s2)=19.6N
0=Fs+Fs-19.6N
Since both springs are identical, the spring forces must also be identical. This seems counterintuitive, but
the act of compressing the spring gives the same force as stretching it, and the bottom spring will be compressed the same
distance as the top spring, so the two springs will give equal forces.
0=2Fs-19.6N
9.8N=Fs
Now let us look into the spring force.
Fs=-k(x-x0)
We can define x0 as we like, so we’ll make it 0 to make our lives easier.
9.8N=(-4N/m)x
x=2.45m
 2. A pinball machine launches a ball using a spring. If you pull back the plunger
from its normal length of 0.1m to its retracted length of 0.02m, it applies a 6N
force to the 0.05kg ball. What is the spring constant of the launcher? (75N/m)
3. A box of mass 8kg is hanging from two identical springs. Both springs have a
spring constant of 50N/m. How far does it hang? (0.78m)
4. On a frictionless inclined plane, a box is attached to two identical springs as
shown in the image to the right. If the box has a mass of 7kg, and the plane is at
an angle of 50o, what is the spring constant of the springs if the lower spring is
compressed 1.5m? (17.5N/m)

Part I: Strings and Pulleys

1. In the half-atwood machine pictured to the right, a 3kg block sits on a surface with a coefficient
of static friction of 0.25. What is the minimum value that the mass of the second block, M, could be
to make the system accelerate from rest?
We are going to base our answer on F=ma. First, let’s find the forces that will be working on the
machine.
ΣF=FgM+Ff
This equation says that the net force is going to be the sum of the
two unbalanced forces on the system: The gravity on the hanging
block and the friction on the 3kg block. The maximum static friction can be calculated
easily.
Ffsmax=µsFN=0.25N(3kg)(9.8m/s2)=7.35N
At the minimum value for M to make it move, the net forces are just barely unbalanced. To
figure it, we would use the assumption that the net force is 0.
ΣF=FgM+Ff
0=FgM+7.35N
7.35N=FgM
7.35N=mg
7.35N=M(9.8m/s2)
0.75kg=M
2. What is the acceleration of the half-atwood machine to the upper right if the friction
force F is 0 N? (3.92m/s2)
3. What is the acceleration of the atwood machine in the middle on the right? (3m/s2)
4. What is the acceleration of the atwood machine on the inclined plane to the bottom right? There is no friction. (4m/s2 or
4.1m/s2 if you use g=10)
Part J: Challenge Problems (optional)
1. For problem #4 in Part I, find the tension in the string. (70.8N if using g=10)
2. Batman is holding one end of his cable gun to try to stabilize the rope so that batwoman can walk on it. The cable is
attached to the wall on one end, and Batman is
holding the other end. Batman is able to pull
with a force of 1000 Newtons, so the tension in
the cable is 1000 N. Assume the force of tension
is the same in all parts of the cable. If batwoman
has a mass of 60 kg, what angle will the cable
sag to? (17.5 degrees relative to the horizontal
if using g=10m/s2)
3. A sign is hanging as shown on the right. If the sign
has a mass of 40 kg, 𝛳1 = 60°, and 𝛳2 = 30°, what is the tension in all 3
of the strings? (T3=400 N, T2=200N, T1=346N, if using g=10)