DYNAMICS: NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

4
Responses to Questions

1. When you give the wagon a sharp pull forward, the force of friction between the wagon and the child
acts on the child to move her forward. But the force of friction acts at the contact point between the
child and the wagon—we assume the child is sitting in the wagon. The lower part of the child begins to
move forward, while the upper part, following Newton’s first law (the law of inertia), remains almost
stationary, making it seem as if the child falls backward. The “backward” motion is relative to the
wagon, not to the ground.

2. (a) Mary, standing on the ground beside the truck, will see the box remain motionless while the
truck accelerates out from under it. Since there is no friction, there is no net horizontal force on
the box and the box will not speed up. Thus Mary would describe the motion of the box in terms
of Newton’s first law—there is no force on the box, so it does not accelerate.
(b) Chris, riding on the truck, will see the box appear to accelerate backward with respect to his
frame of reference, which is not inertial. He might even say something about the box being
“thrown” backward in the truck and try to invoke Newton’s second law to explain the motion of
the box. But the source of the force would be impossible to specify. (Chris had better hold on,
though; if the truck bed is frictionless, he too will slide off if he is just standing!)

3. Yes, the net force can be zero on a moving object. If the net force is zero, then the object’s
acceleration is zero, but its velocity is not necessarily zero. [Instead of classifying objects as “moving”
and “not moving,” Newtonian dynamics classifies them as “accelerating” and “not accelerating.” Both
zero velocity and constant velocity fall in the “not accelerating” category.]

4. If the acceleration of an object is zero, the vector sum of the forces acting on the object is zero
(Newton’s second law), so there can be forces on an object that has no acceleration. For example, a
book resting on a table is acted on by gravity and the normal force, but it has zero acceleration,
because the forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

5. If only one force acts on an object, the net force cannot be zero, so the object cannot have zero
acceleration, by Newton’s second law. It is possible for the object to have zero velocity, but only for an
instant. For example (if we neglect air resistance), a ball thrown upward into the air has only the force
of gravity acting on it. Its speed will decrease while it travels upward, stops, then begins to fall back to
the ground. At the instant the ball is at its highest point, its velocity is zero. However, the ball has a
nonzero net force and a nonzero acceleration throughout its flight.

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4-1
4-2 Chapter 4

6. (a) A force is needed to bounce the ball back up, because the ball changes direction, so the ball
accelerates. If the ball accelerates, there must be a force.
(b) The pavement exerts the force on the golf ball.

7. As you take a step on the log, your foot exerts a force on the log in the direction opposite to the
direction in which you want to move, which pushes the log “backward.” (The log exerts an equal and
opposite force forward on you, by Newton’s third law.) If the log had been on the ground, friction
between the ground and the log would have kept the log from moving. However, the log is floating in
water, which offers little resistance to the movement of the log as you push it backward.

8. (a) When you first start riding a bicycle you need to exert a strong force to accelerate the bike and
yourself, as well as to overcome friction. Once you are moving at a constant speed, you need to
exert a force that will just equal the opposing forces of friction and air resistance.
(b) When the bike is moving at a constant speed, the net force on it is zero. Since friction and air
resistance are present, you would slow down if you didn’t pedal to keep the net force on the bike
(and you) equal to zero.

9. When the person gives a sharp pull, the suddenness of application of the force is key. When a large,
sudden force is applied to the bottom string, the bottom string will have a large tension in it. Because
of the stone’s inertia, the upper string does not immediately experience the large force. The bottom
string must have more tension in it and will break first.

If a slow and steady pull is applied, the tension in the bottom string increases. We
approximate that condition as considering the stone to be in equilibrium until the Fup
string breaks. The free-body diagram for the stone would look like this diagram.
While the stone is in equilibrium, Newton’s second law states that stone
Fup = Fdown + mg . Thus the tension in the upper string is going to be larger than the
Fdown mg
tension in the lower string because of the weight of the stone, so the upper string
will break first.

10. The acceleration of both rocks is found by dividing their weight (the force of gravity on them) by their
mass. The 2-kg rock has a force of gravity on it that is twice as great as the force of gravity on the 1-kg
rock, but also twice as great a mass as the 1-kg rock, so the acceleration is the same for both.

11. (a) When you pull the rope at an angle, only the horizontal component of the pulling force will be
accelerating the box across the table. This is a smaller horizontal force than originally used, so
the horizontal acceleration of the box will decrease.
(b) We assume that the rope is angled upward, as in Fig. 4–21a. When there is friction, the problem
is much more complicated. As the angle increases, there are two competing effects. The
horizontal component of the pulling force gets smaller, as in part (a), which reduces the
acceleration. But as the angle increases, the upward part of the pulling force gets larger, which
reduces the normal force. As the normal force gets smaller, the force of friction also gets smaller,
which would increase the acceleration. A detailed analysis shows that the acceleration increases
initially, up to a certain angle, and then decreases for higher angles.
If instead the rope is angled downward, then the normal force increases, which increases the
force of friction, and for all angles, the acceleration will decrease.

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-3

12. Let us find the acceleration of the Earth, assuming the mass of the freely falling object is m = 1 kg. If
the mass of the Earth is M, then the acceleration of the Earth would be found using Newton’s third law
and Newton’s second law.

FEarth = Fobject → MaEarth = mg → aEarth = g m /M

Since the Earth has a mass that is on the order of 1025 kg, the acceleration of the Earth is on the order
of 10−25 g , or about 10−24 m/s 2 . This tiny acceleration is undetectable.

13. Because the acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is less than it is on the Earth, an object with a
mass of 10 kg will weigh less on the Moon than it does on the Earth. Therefore, it will be easier to lift
on the Moon. (When you lift something, you exert a force to oppose its weight.) However, when
throwing the object horizontally, the force needed to accelerate it to the desired horizontal speed is
proportional to the object’s mass, F = ma. Therefore, you would need to exert the same force to throw
the 2-kg object with a given speed on the Moon as you would on Earth.

14. In a tug of war, the team that pushes hardest against the ground wins. It is true that both teams have the
same force on them due to the tension in the rope. But the winning team pushes harder against the
ground and thus the ground pushes harder on the winning team, making a net unbalanced force. The
free-body diagram illustrates this.
The forces are FT1G , the force on
Team 1 Team 2
team 1 from the ground, FT2G , the FT1G (winner) FTR FTR FT2G
force on team 2 from the ground, Large force from Equal and opposite Small force
and FTR , the force on each team ground tension forces from ground
from the rope.

Thus the net force on the winning team (FT1G − FTR ) is in the “winning” direction.

15. If you are at rest, the net force on you is zero. Hence the ground exerts a force on you exactly equal to
your weight. The two forces acting on you sum to zero, so you don’t accelerate. If you squat down and
then push with a larger force against the ground, the ground then pushes back on you with a larger
force by Newton’s third law, and you can then rise into the air.

16. The victim’s head is not really thrown backward during the car crash. If the victim’s car was initially at
rest, or even moving forward, the impact from the rear suddenly pushes the car, the seat, and the
person’s body forward. The head, being attached by the somewhat flexible neck to the body, can
momentarily remain where it was (inertia, Newton’s first law), thus lagging behind the body. The neck
muscles must eventually pull the head forward, and that causes the whiplash. To avoid this, use the
car’s headrests.

17. (a) The reaction force has a magnitude of 40 N.

(b) It points downward.
(c) It is exerted on Mary’s hands and arms.
(d) It is exerted by the bag of groceries.

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4-4 Chapter 4

18. Both the father and daughter will have the same magnitude force acting on them as they push each
other away, by consideration of Newton’s third law. If we assume that the young daughter has less
mass than the father, her acceleration should be greater (a = F/m). Both forces, and therefore both
accelerations, act over the same time interval (while the father and daughter are in contact), so the
daughter’s final speed will be greater than her father’s.

19. Static friction between the crate and the truck bed causes the crate to accelerate.

20. On the way up, there are two forces on the block that are parallel to each other causing the
deceleration—the component of weight parallel to the plane and the force of friction on the block.
Since the forces are parallel to each other, both pointing down the plane, they add, causing a larger
magnitude force and a larger acceleration. On the way down, those same two forces are opposite of
each other, because the force of friction is now directed up the plane. With these two forces being
opposite of each other, their net force is smaller, so the acceleration is smaller.

21. In a very simple analysis, the net force slowing the moving object is friction. If we consider that the
moving object is on a level surface, then the normal force is equal to the weight. Combining these
ideas, we get the following:

Fnet = ma = µ FN = µ mg → a = µ g

From Table 4–2, the “steel on steel (unlubricated)” coefficient of friction (applicable to the train) is
smaller than the “rubber on dry concrete” coefficient of friction (applicable to the truck). Thus the
acceleration of the train will be smaller than that of the truck, and therefore the truck’s stopping
distance will be smaller, from Eq. 2–11c.

22. Assume your weight is W. If you weighed yourself on an inclined plane that is inclined at angle θ, then
the bathroom scale would read the magnitude of the normal force between you and the plane, which
would be W cos θ.

Responses to MisConceptual Questions

1. (a) The crate does not accelerate up or down, so the net force cannot be vertical. The truck bed is
frictionless and the crate is not in contact with any other surface, so there are no horizontal
forces. Therefore, no net force acts on the crate. As the truck slows down, the crate continues to
move forward at constant speed. (How did the crate stay on the truck in the first place to be able
to travel on the truck bed?)

2. (a, b, d) The forces in (a), (b), and (d) are all equal to 400 N in magnitude.
(a) You exert a force of 400 N on the car; by Newton’s third law the force exerted by the car on you
also has a magnitude of 400 N.
(b) Since the car doesn’t move and the only horizontal forces acting on the car are your pushing and
the force of friction on the car from the road, Newton’s second law requires these forces to have
equal magnitudes (400 N) in the opposite direction. Since the road exerts a force of 400 N on the
car by friction, Newton’s third law requires that the friction force on the road from the car must
also be 400 N.
(c) The normal force exerted by the road on you will be equal in magnitude to your weight
(assuming you are standing vertically and have no vertical acceleration). This force is not
required to be 400 N.

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-5

(d) The car is exerting a 400-N horizontal force on you, and since you are not accelerating, and the
only horizontal forces acting on you are the force from the car and the frictional force from the
ground, Newton’s second law requires that the ground must be exerting an equal and opposite
horizontal force. Therefore, the magnitude of the friction force exerted on you by the road is 400 N.

3. (d) For Matt and the truck to move forward from rest, both of them must experience a positive
horizontal acceleration. The horizontal forces acting on Matt are the friction force of the ground
pushing him forward and the truck pulling him backward. The ground must push Matt forward
with a stronger force than the truck is pulling him back. The horizontal forces on the truck are
from Matt pulling the truck forward and the friction from the ground pulling the truck backward.
For the truck to accelerate forward, the force from Matt must be greater than the backward force
of friction from the ground. By Newton’s third law, the force of the truck on Matt and the force
of Matt on the truck are equal and opposite. Since the force of the ground on Matt is greater than
the force of the truck on Matt, the force of the truck on Matt is equal to the force of Matt on the
truck, and the force of Matt on the truck is greater than the friction force of the ground on the
truck, the ground exerts a greater friction on Matt than on the truck.

4. (d) In order to hold the backpack up, the rope must exert a vertical force equal to the backpack’s
weight, so that the net vertical force on the backpack is zero. The force, F, exerted by the rope on
each side of the pack is always along the length of the rope. The vertical component of this force
is F sin θ, where θ is the angle the rope makes with the horizontal. The higher the pack goes, the
smaller θ becomes and the larger F must be to hold the pack up there. No matter how hard you
pull, the rope can never be horizontal because it must exert an upward (vertical) component of
force to balance the pack’s weight.

5. (c) The boat accelerates forward by horizontal forces acting on the boat. The force that the man
exerts on the paddles pushes the paddles forward, but because he is part of the boat this force
does not accelerate the boat, so (a) is not correct. As the paddle pushes on the water it causes the
water to accelerate backward. This force acts to accelerate the water, not the boat, so (b) is
incorrect. By Newton’s third law, as the paddles push the water backward, the water pushes the
paddles (and thus the boat) forward. With the force of the water on the paddles pushing the boat
forward, the boat would move even when the water was still, so (d) is also incorrect.

6. (c) The person’s apparent weight is equal to the normal force acting on him. When the elevator is at
rest or moving at constant velocity, the net force on the person is zero, so the normal force is
equal to his weight. When the elevator is accelerating downward, the net force is also downward,
so the normal force is less than his weight. When the elevator is accelerating upward, the net
force is upward, and the normal force (his apparent weight) is greater than his weight. Since his
actual weight does not change, his apparent weight is greatest when he is accelerating upward.

7. (c) The weight of the skier can be broken into components parallel to and perpendicular to the slope.
The normal force will be equal to the perpendicular component of the skier’s weight. For a
nonzero slope, this component is always less than the weight of the skier.

8. (b) The force of the golf club acting on the ball acts only when the two objects are in contact, not as the
ball flies through the air. The force of gravity acts on the ball throughout its flight. Air resistance is
to be neglected, so there is no force acting on the ball due to its motion through the air.

9. (c) Since the net force is now zero, Newton’s first law requires that the object will move in a straight
line at constant speed. A net force would be needed to bring the object to rest.

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4-6 Chapter 4

10. (d) By Newton’s third law, the force you exert on the box must be equal in magnitude to the force
the box exerts on you. The box accelerates forward because the force you exert on the box is
greater than other forces (such as friction) that are also exerted on the box.

11. (b) The maximum static friction force is 25 N. Since the applied force is less than this maximum, the
crate will not accelerate, Newton’s second law can be used to show that the resulting friction
force will be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the applied force.

12. (b, d) The normal force between the skier and the snow is a contact force preventing the skier from passing
through the surface of the snow. The normal force requires contact with the surface and an external
net force toward the snow. The normal force does not depend upon the speed of the skier. Any slope
less than 90° will have a component of gravity that must be overcome by the normal force.

13. (a) If the two forces pulled in the same direction, then the net force would be the maximum and
equal to the sum of the two individual forces, or 950 N. Since the forces are not parallel, the net
force will be less than this maximum.

Solutions to Problems

1. Use Newton’s second law to calculate the force.

∑ F = ma = (55 kg)(1.4 m/s 2 ) = 77 N

2. In all cases, W = mg , where g changes with location.

(a) WEarth = mg Earth = (68 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) = 670 N

(b) WMoon = mg Moon = (68 kg)(1.7 m/s 2 ) = 120 N

(c) WMars = mg Mars = (68 kg)(3.7 m/s 2 ) = 250 N

(d) Wspace = mgspace = (68 kg)(0) = 0

3. Use Newton’s second law to calculate the tension.

∑ F = FT = ma = (1210 kg)(1.20 m/s 2 ) = 1452 N ≈ 1450 N

υ − υ0 0.35 m/s − 0.25 m/s

4. The average acceleration of the blood is given by a = = = 1.0 m/s 2 .
t 0.10 s
The net force on the blood, exerted by the heart, is found from Newton’s second law.

F = ma = (20 × 10−3 kg)(1.0 m/s 2 ) = 0.02 N

5. Find the average acceleration from Eq. 2–11c, and then find the force needed from Newton’s second
law. We assume the train is moving in the positive direction.

⎛ 1 m/s ⎞ υ 2 − υ02
υ =0 υ0 = (120 km/h) ⎜ ⎟ = 33.33 m/s aavg =
⎝ 3.6 km/h ⎠ 2( x − x0 )
υ 2
− υ02 ⎡ 0 − (33.33 m/s) 2⎤
Favg = maavg = m = (3.6 × 105 kg) ⎢ 6 6
⎥ = −1.333 × 10 N ≈ −1.3 × 10 N
2( x − x0 ) ⎣⎢ 2 (150 m) ⎥⎦

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-7

The negative sign indicates the direction of the force, in the opposite direction to the initial velocity.
We compare the magnitude of this force to the weight of the train.

Favg 1.333 × 106 N

= = 0.3886
mg (3.6 × 105 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 )

Thus the force is 39% of the weight of the train.

By Newton’s third law, the train exerts the same magnitude of force on Superman that Superman
exerts on the train, but in the opposite direction. So the train exerts a force of 1.3 × 106 N in the
forward direction on Superman.

6. We assume that 30 g’s has 2 significant figures. The acceleration of a person having a 30 “g”
⎛ 9.80 m/s 2 ⎞ 2
deceleration is a = (30 g ) ⎜ ⎟⎟ = 294 m/s . The average force causing that acceleration is
⎜ 1 g
⎝ ⎠
F = ma = (65 kg)(294 m/s 2 ) = 1.9 × 104 N . Since the person is undergoing a deceleration, the
acceleration and force would both be directed opposite to the direction of motion. Use Eq. 2–11c to
find the distance traveled during the deceleration. Take the initial velocity to be in the positive
direction, so that the acceleration will have a negative value, and the final velocity will be 0.

⎛ 1 m/s ⎞
υ0 = (95 km/h) ⎜ ⎟ = 26.39 m/s
⎝ 3.6 km/h ⎠
υ 2 − υ02 0 − (26.39 m/s) 2
υ 2 − υ02 = 2a( x − x0 ) → ( x − x0 ) = = = 1.18 m ≈ 1.2 m
2a 2(−294 m/s 2 )

7. Find the average acceleration from Eq. 2–4. The average force on the car is found from Newton’s
second law.

⎛ 1 m/s ⎞ υ − υ0 0 − 26.39 m/s

υ = 0 υ0 = (95 km/h) ⎜ ⎟ = 26.39 m/s aavg = = = −3.299 m/s 2
⎝ 3.6 km/h ⎠ t 8.0 s

Favg = maavg = (950 kg)(−3.299 m/s 2 ) = −3134 N ≈ −3100 N

The negative sign indicates the direction of the force, in the opposite direction to the initial velocity.

8. Find the average acceleration from Eq. 2–11c, and then find the force needed from Newton’s second
law.

υ 2 − υ02
aavg = →
2( x − x0 )
υ 2 − υ02 ⎡ (13 m/s) 2 − 0 ⎤
Favg = maavg = m = (7.0 kg) ⎢ ⎥ = 211.25 N ≈ 210 N
2( x − x0 ) ⎣⎢ 2 (2.8 m) ⎦⎥

9. The problem asks for the average force on the glove, which in a direct calculation would require
knowledge about the mass of the glove and the acceleration of the glove. But no information about the
glove is given. By Newton’s third law, the force exerted by the ball on the glove is equal and opposite

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4-8 Chapter 4

to the force exerted by the glove on the ball. So we calculate the average force on the ball, and then
take the opposite of that result to find the average force on the glove. The average force on the ball is
its mass times its average acceleration. Use Eq. 2–11c to find the acceleration of the ball, with υ = 0,
υ0 = 35.0 m/s, and x − x0 = 0.110 m. The initial velocity of the ball is the positive direction.

υ 2 − υ02 0 − (35.0 m/s) 2

aavg = = = −5568 m/s 2
2( x − x0 ) 2(0.110 m)

Favg = maavg = (0.140 kg)(−5568 m/s 2 ) = −7.80 × 102 N

Thus the average force on the glove was 780 N, in the direction of the initial velocity of the ball.

10. Choose up to be the positive direction. Write Newton’s second law for the vertical FT
direction, and solve for the tension force.

∑ F = FT − mg = ma → FT = m( g + a) mg
2 2 4
FT = (1200 kg)(9.80 m/s + 0.70 m/s ) = 1.3 × 10 N

FN
11. (a) The 20.0-kg box resting on the table has the free-body diagram shown. Its
weight is mg = (20.0 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) = 196 N . Since the box is at rest, the net
force on the box must be 0, so the normal force must also be 196 N .
mg
(b) Free-body diagrams are shown for both boxes. F12 is the force on box 1 (the
top box) due to box 2 (the bottom box), and is the normal force on box 1. FN1 = F12
F21 is the force on box 2 due to box 1, and has the same magnitude as
F12 by Newton’s third law. FN2 is the force of the table on box 2. That is Top box (1)
the normal force on box 2. Since both boxes are at rest, the net force on
each box must be 0. Write Newton’s second law in the vertical direction m1g
for each box, taking the upward direction to be positive.
∑ F1 = FN1 − m1 g = 0 FN2
FN1 = m1 g = (10.0 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) = 98.0 N = F12 = F21 Bottom box
∑ F2 = FN2 − F21 − m2 g = 0 (2)

(
FN2 = F21 + m2 g = 98.0 N + (20.0 kg) 9.80 m/s 2 = 294 N ) m2 g F21

12. Choose up to be the positive direction. Write Newton’s second law for the vertical FT
direction, and solve for the acceleration.

∑ F = FT − mg = ma
FT − mg 163 N − (14.0 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) mg
a= = = 1.8 m/s 2
m 14.0 kg

Since the acceleration is positive, the bucket has an upward acceleration.

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-9

13. If the thief were to hang motionless on the sheets, or descend at a constant speed, the
sheets would not support him, because they would have to support the full 75 kg. But if FT
he descends with an acceleration, the sheets will not have to support the total mass. A
free-body diagram of the thief in descent is shown. If the sheets can support a mass of
58 kg, then the tension force that the sheets can exert is FT = (58 kg)(9.80 m/s2 ) = 568 N.
Assume that is the tension in the sheets. Then write Newton’s second law for the thief, mg
taking the upward direction to be positive.

FT − mg 568 N − (75 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 )

∑ F = FT − mg = ma → a = = = −2.2 m/s 2
m 75 kg

The negative sign shows that the acceleration is downward.

If the thief descends with an acceleration of 2.2 m/s 2 or greater, the sheets will support his descent.

14. In both cases, a free-body diagram for the elevator would look like the adjacent diagram.
Choose up to be the positive direction. To find the MAXIMUM tension, assume that the FT
acceleration is up. Write Newton’s second law for the elevator.

∑ F = ma = FT − mg → mg
FT = ma + mg = m(a + g ) = m(0.0680 g + g ) = (4850 kg)(1.0680)(9.80 m/s 2 )

= 5.08 × 104 N

To find the MINIMUM tension, assume that the acceleration is down. Then Newton’s second law for
the elevator becomes the following.

∑ F = ma = FT − mg → FT = ma + mg = m(a + g ) = m(−0.0680 g + g )
= (4850 kg)(0.9320)(9.80 m/s2 ) = 4.43 × 104 N

⎛ 1 m/s ⎞
15. Use Eq. 2–11c to find the acceleration. The starting speed is 35 km/h ⎜ ⎟ = 9.72 m/s.
⎝ 3.6 km/h ⎠

υ 2 − υ02 0 − (9.72 m/s) 2

υ 2 = υ02 + 2a ( x − x0 ) → a = = = −2779 m/s 2 ≈ −2800 m/s 2
2( x − x0 ) 2(0.017 m)
⎛ 1g ⎞
2779 m/s 2 ⎜ ⎟ = 284 g’s ≈ 280 g’s
⎝ 9.80 m/s 2 ⎠
The acceleration is negative because the car is slowing down. The required force is found by Newton’s
second law.

F = ma = (68 kg)(2779 m/s 2 ) = 1.9 × 105 N

This huge acceleration would not be possible unless the car hit some very heavy, stable object.

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-11

20. Free-body diagrams for the box and the weight are shown. The tension exerts
the same magnitude of force on both objects.
FN FT FT
(a) If the weight of the hanging weight is less than the weight of the box, the
objects will not move, and the tension will be the same as the weight of
the hanging weight. The acceleration of the box will also be zero, so the m2 g
m1g
sum of the forces on it will be zero. For the box,
FN + FT − m1 g = 0 → FN = m1 g − FT = m1 g − m2 g = 77.0 N − 30.0 N = 47.0 N
(b) The same analysis as for part (a) applies here.
FN = m1 g − m2 g = 77.0 N − 60.0 N = 17.0 N
(c) Since the hanging weight has more weight than the box on the table, the box on the table will be
lifted up off the table, and normal force of the table on the box will be 0 .

21. (a) Just before the player leaves the ground, the forces on the player are his
weight and the floor pushing up on the player. If the player jumps straight up,
then the force of the floor will be straight up—a normal force. See the first
diagram. In this case, while touching the floor, FN > mg .
(b) While the player is in the air, the only force on the player is his weight. See mg
FN mg
the second diagram.
Fbat
22. (a) Just as the ball is being hit, if we ignore air resistance, there are two main
forces on the ball: the weight of the ball and the force of the bat on the ball. mg
(b) As the ball flies toward the outfield, the only force on it is its weight, if air
mg
resistance is ignored.

23. Consider the point in the rope directly below Arlene. That point
can be analyzed as having three forces on it—Arlene’s weight, the FT FT
o
tension in the rope toward the right point of connection, and the 10 10o
tension in the rope toward the left point of connection. Assuming mg
the rope is massless, those two tensions will be of the same
magnitude. Since the point is not accelerating, the sum of the
forces must be zero. In particular, consider the sum of the vertical forces on that point, with UP as the
positive direction.

∑ F = FT sin 10.0° + FT sin 10.0° − mg = 0 →

mg (50.0 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 )
FT = = = 1410 N
2 sin 10.0° 2 sin 10.0°

24. The window washer pulls down on the rope with her hands with a tension force FT , so
the rope pulls up on her hands with a tension force FT . The tension in the rope is also FT
FT
applied at the other end of the rope, where it attaches to the bucket. Thus there is
another force FT pulling up on the bucket. The bucket–washer combination thus has a
net force of 2FT upward. See the adjacent free-body diagram, showing only forces on
the bucket–washer combination, not forces exerted by the combination (the pull down
on the rope by the person) or internal forces (normal force of bucket on person).

mg

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4-12 Chapter 4

(a) Write Newton’s second law in the vertical direction, with up as positive. The net force must be
zero if the bucket and washer have a constant speed.
∑ F = FT + FT − mg = 0 → 2 FT = mg →
1 1
FT = mg = (72 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) = 352.8 N ≈ 350 N
2 2
(b) Now the force is increased by 15%, so FT = 358.2 N(1.15) = 405.72 N. Again write Newton’s
second law, but with a nonzero acceleration.
∑ F = FT + FT − mg = ma →
2 FT − mg 2(405.72 N) − (72 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 )
a= = = 1.47 m/s 2 ≈ 1.5 m/s 2
m 72 kg

25. We draw free-body diagrams for each bucket. FT2 FT1

(a) Since the buckets are at rest, their acceleration is 0. Write
Newton’s second law for each bucket, calling UP the positive
direction.
∑ F1 = FT1 − mg = 0 → FT1 mg mg
FT1 = mg = (3.2 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) = 31N Top (# 2) Bottom (# 1)
∑ F2 = FT2 − FT1 − mg = 0 →
FT2 = FT1 + mg = 2 mg = 2(3.2 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) = 63 N
(b) Now repeat the analysis, but with a nonzero acceleration. The free-body diagrams are
unchanged.
∑ F1 = FT1 − mg = ma →
FT1 = mg + ma = (3.2 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 + 1.25 m/s 2 ) = 35.36 N ≈ 35 N
∑ F2 = FT2 − FT1 − mg = ma → FT2 = FT1 + mg + ma = 2 FT1 = 71N

26. Choose the y direction to be the “forward” direction for the motion of the snowcats and the x direction
to be to the right on the diagram in the textbook. Since the housing unit moves in the forward direction
on a straight line, there is no acceleration in the x direction, so the net force in the x direction must be 0.
Write Newton’s second law for the x direction.

∑ Fx = FAx + FBx = 0 → − FA sin 48° + FB sin 32° = 0 →

FA sin 48° (4500 N) sin 48°
FB = = = 6311N ≈ 6300 N
sin 32° sin 32°

Since the x components add to 0, the magnitude of the vector sum of the two forces will just be the
sum of their y components.
∑ Fy = FAy + FBy = FA cos 48° + FB cos 32° = (4500 N) cos 48° + (6311 N) cos 32°
= 8363 N ≈ 8400 N

27. Since all forces of interest in this problem are horizontal, draw the free-body diagram showing only the
horizontal forces. FT1 is the tension in the coupling between the locomotive and the first car, and it
pulls to the right on the first car. FT2 is the tension in the coupling between the first car and the second

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-13

car. It pulls to the right on car 2, labeled FT2R and to the left on car 1, labeled FT2L . Both cars have
the same mass m and the same acceleration a. Note that qFT2R q = qFT2L q = FT2 by Newton’s third law.
FT2R FT2L FT1

Write a Newton’s second law expression for each car.

∑ F1 = FT1 − FT2 = ma ∑ F2 = FT2 = ma

Substitute the expression for ma from the second expression into the first one.

FT1 − FT2 = ma = FT2 → FT1 = 2 FT2 → FT1 /FT2 = 2

This can also be discussed in the sense that the tension between the locomotive and the first car is
pulling two cars, while the tension between the cars is only pulling one car.

28. The net force in each case is found by vector addition with components. F1
(a) Fnet x = − F1 = −10.2 N Fnet y = − F2 = −16.0 N θ
−16.0 F2
Fnet = (−10.2) 2 + (−16.0) 2 = 19.0 N θ = tan −1
= 57.48° Fnet
−10.2
The actual angle from the x axis is then 237.48°. Thus the net force is
Fnet = 19.0 N at 237°
Fnet 19.0 N
a= = = 1.03 m/s 2 at 237°
m 18.5 kg
F2 Fnet
(b) Fnet x = F1 cos 30° = 8.833 N Fnet y = F2 − F1 sin 30° = 10.9 N

Fnet = (8.833 N) 2 + (10.9 N) 2 = 14.03N ≈ 14.0 N θ

30o
−1 10.9 F 14.03 N
θ = tan = 51.0° a = net = = 0.758 m/s 2 at 51.0° F1
8.833 m 18.5 kg

29. Since the sprinter exerts a force of 720 N on the ground at an angle of 22°
below the horizontal, by Newton’s third law the ground will exert a force of
720 N on the sprinter at an angle of 22° above the horizontal. A free-body
diagram for the sprinter is shown.
(a) The horizontal acceleration will be found from the net horizontal force.
Using Newton’s second law, we have the following:
∑ Fx = FP cos 22° = max →
FP cos 22° (720 N) cos 22°
ax = = = 10.27 m/s 2 ≈ 1.0 × 101 m/s 2
m 65 kg
(b) Eq. 2–11a is used to find the final speed. The starting speed is 0.
υ = υ0 + at → υ = 0 + at = (10.27 m/s 2 )(0.32 s) = 3.286 m/s ≈ 3.3 m/s

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4-16 Chapter 4

mB + mC
By Newton’s third law, FBA = FAB = F .
mA + mB + mC

F 96.0 N
(e) Using the given values, a = = = 3.20 m/s 2 . Since all three masses are
mA + mB + mC 30.0 kg
the same value, the net force on each mass is Fnet = ma = (10.0 kg)(3.20 m/s 2 ) = 32.0 N.
This is also the value of FCB and FBC . The value of FAB and FBA is found as follows:

FAB = FBA = (mB + mC )a = (20.0 kg)(3.20 m/s 2 ) = 64.0 N

To summarize:
FA net = FB net = FC net = 32.0 N FAB = FBA = 64.0 N FBC = FCB = 32.0 N
The values make sense in that in order of magnitude, we should have F > FBA > FCB , since F is
the net force pushing the entire set of blocks, FAB is the net force pushing the right two blocks,
and FBC is the net force pushing the right block only.

35. We draw a free-body diagram for each mass. We choose up to be the FC

positive direction. The tension force in the cord is found from analyzing the
two hanging masses. Notice that the same tension force is applied to each
mass. Write Newton’s second law for each of the masses.

FT − m1 g = m1a1 FT − m2 g = m2 a2
FT FT
Since the masses are joined together by the cord, their accelerations will
have the same magnitude but opposite directions. Thus a1 = −a2 . Substitute
this into the force expressions and solve for the tension force. FT FT
m2 m1
m g − FT 1.2 kg 3.2 kg
FT − m1 g = − m1a2 → FT = m1 g − m1a2 → a2 = 1
m1
m2 g m1g
⎛ m g − FT ⎞ 2m1m2 g
FT − m2 g = m2 a2 = m2 ⎜ 1 ⎟ → FT =
⎝ m1 ⎠ m1 + m2

Apply Newton’s second law to the stationary pulley.

4m1m2 g 4(3.2 kg)(1.2 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 )

FC − 2 FT = 0 → FC = 2 FT = = = 34 N
m1 + m2 4.4 kg

36. A free-body diagram for the crate is shown. The crate does not accelerate
FN
vertically, so FN = mg . The crate does not accelerate horizontally, so Ffr FP
FP = Ffr .
mg
2
FP = Ffr = µk FN = µk mg = (0.30)(22 kg)(9.80 m/s ) = 65 N

If the coefficient of kinetic friction is zero, then the horizontal force required is 0 , since there is no
friction to counteract. Of course, it would take a force to START the crate moving, but once it was
moving, no further horizontal force would be necessary to maintain the motion.

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-17

37. A free-body diagram for the box is shown. Since the box does not accelerate FN
vertically, FN = mg . Ffr FP
(a) To start the box moving, the pulling force must just overcome the force
of static friction, and that means the force of static friction will reach its
maximum value of Ffr = µs FN . Thus, we have for the starting motion,
mg

∑ Fx = FP − Ffr = 0 →
FP 35.0 N
FP = Ffr = µs FN = µs mg → µs = = = 0.60
mg (6.0 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 )
(b) The same force diagram applies, but now the friction is kinetic friction, and the pulling force is
NOT equal to the frictional force, since the box is accelerating to the right.
∑ F = FP − Ffr = ma → FP − µk FN = ma → FP − µk mg = ma →
FP − ma 35.0 N − (6.0 kg)(0.60 m/s 2 )
µk = = = 0.53
mg (6.0 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 )

38. A free-body diagram for you as you stand on the train is shown. You do not
accelerate vertically, so FN = mg . The maximum static frictional force is µs FN , Ffr
and that must be greater than or equal to the force needed to accelerate you in order
for you not to slip. mg FN
Ffr ≥ ma → µs FN ≥ ma → µs mg ≥ ma → µs ≥ a /g = 0.20 g /g = 0.20

The static coefficient of friction must be at least 0.20 for you not to slide.
y x
39. See the adjacent free-body diagram. To find the maximum angle, assume
that the car is just ready to slide, so that the force of static friction is a FN
maximum. Write Newton’s second law for both directions. Note that for
both directions, the net force must be zero since the car is not accelerating. Ffr
θ
θ
∑ Fy = FN − mg cos θ = 0 → FN = mg cos θ
mg
∑ Fx = mg sin θ − Ffr = 0 → mg sin θ = Ffr = µs FN = µs mg cos θ

mg sin θ
µs = = tan θ = 0.90 → θ = tan −1 0.90 = 42°
mg cos θ
FN
40. The force of static friction is what decelerates the crate if it is not sliding on the Ffr
truck bed. If the crate is not to slide, but the maximum deceleration is desired,
then the maximum static frictional force must be exerted, so Ffr = µs FN . The
mg
direction of travel is to the right. It is apparent that FN = mg since there is no
acceleration in the y direction. Write Newton’s second law for the truck in the
horizontal direction.

∑ Fx = − Ffr = ma → − µs mg = ma → a = − µs g = −(0.75)(9.80 m/s 2 ) = −7.4 m/s 2

The negative sign indicates the direction of the acceleration, as opposite to the direction of motion.

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 Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion 4-21

50. (a) We assume that the mower is being pushed to the right. Ffr is the FP
friction force, and Fp is the pushing force along the handle.
(b) Write Newton’s second law for the horizontal direction. The forces FN
must sum to 0 since the mower is not accelerating. Ffr
∑ Fx = Fp cos 45.0° − Ffr = 0 →
mg
Ffr = Fp cos 45.0° = (88.0 N) cos 45.0° = 62.2 N
(c) Write Newton’s second law for the vertical direction. The forces must
sum to 0 since the mower is not accelerating in the vertical direction.
∑ Fy = FN − mg − Fp sin 45.0° = 0 →
FN = mg + Fp sin 45° = (14.0 kg)(9.80 m/s 2 ) + (88.0 N) sin 45.0° = 199 N
(d) First use Eq. 2–11a to find the acceleration.
υ − υ0 1.5 m/s − 0
υ − υ0 = at → a = = = 0.60 m/s 2
t 2.5 s
Now use Newton’s second law for the x direction to find the necessary pushing force.
∑ Fx = Fp cos 45.0° − Ff = ma →
Ff + ma 62.2 N + (14.0 kg)(0.60 m/s 2 )
Fp = = = 99.9 N
cos 45.0° cos 45.0°

51. The average force can be found from the average acceleration. Use Eq. 2–11c to find the acceleration.
υ 2 − υ02
υ 2 = υ02 + 2a ( x − x0 ) → a =
2( x − x0 )
⎛ υ 2 − υ02 ⎞ ⎛ 0 − (10.0 m/s) 2 ⎞
F = ma = m ⎜ ⎟ = (60.0 kg) ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = −120 N
⎜ 2( x − x0 ) ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ 2(25.0 m) ⎠

The average retarding force is 1.20 × 102 N , in the direction opposite to the child’s velocity.

52. (a) Here is a free-body diagram for the box at rest on the plane. The
force of friction is a STATIC frictional force, since the box is at rest. Ffr FN
y
(b) If the box were sliding down the plane, the only change is that the
force of friction would be a KINETIC frictional force.
(c) If the box were sliding up the plane, the force of friction would be a x
KINETIC frictional force, and it would point down the plane, in the θ mg
θ
opposite direction to that shown in the diagram.
Notice that the angle is not used in this solution.

53. A free-body diagram for the bar of soap is shown. There is no motion in the y
direction and thus no acceleration in the y direction. Write Newton’s second FN
law for both directions, and use those expressions to find the acceleration of Ffr
the soap. y
∑ Fy = FN − mg cos θ = 0 → FN = mg cos θ
∑ Fx = mg sin θ − Ffr = ma x
θ θ
ma = mg sin θ − µk FN = mg sin θ − µk mg cos θ
mg
a = g (sin θ − µk cos θ )

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