Free Particle Model Practice

Fg = (mass)(10 N/kg) sin = opp/hyp cos = adj/hyp tan = opp/adj

For questions 1-4, draw and label a qualitative force diagram that represents the situation.
Use marks on the vectors to indicate which forces are equal.

1. Show the forces on the box while

raised at constant speed. FT, b, r
Fnet = 0
=

=
Fg, b, e

2. Show the forces on the box while FN, b, t

moving to the left at constant speed. Fnet = 0
=
FN, b, h Ffk, b, t
=

Fg, b, e

3. Show the forces on block A as it is FN, b, t

pulled across a frictionless table. Fnet
=
FT, b, s
=

Fg, b, e

4. Show the forces on the motionless box. FN, b, r

Fnet = 0
Ffs, b, r

Fg, b,┴
e
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For questions 5-10, it is possible to have MORE THAN ONE correct answer.
Sketching a force diagram may help! Write each correct answer in the blank.

5. __B, D___ One of your classmates takes the broom and gives the bowling ball a brief push. A
moment after the push, which of the following forces act on the bowling ball?
A. the force of the push B. a normal force C. inertia D. the force of gravity

6. ____B___ Which of the following describes the motion of the bowling ball after the push?
Assume that friction is so small that it can be ignored.
A. The ball moves at constant speed.
B. The ball slows down gradually to a stop.
C. The ball continues at constant speed for a while, then slows down.
D. The ball accelerates constantly.

For questions 7 - 10 refer to the diagram below. A student attaches a string to a wheeled cart and
pulls with constant force on the string. There is no friction between the cart and the table.

7. __A, B, D_ Which of the following forces act on the cart?

A. tension force B. normal force C. inertia D. force of gravity

8. ____D____ Which of the following describes the motion of the cart while it is pulled with a
constant force across the table? The cart
A. moves at constant speed.
B. slows down gradually to a stop.
C. speeds up for a bit, then moves at constant speed.
D. accelerates constantly.

9. ____A_____ When the block reaches point B, the string breaks. Which of the following now
describes the motion of the cart as it moves across the table? The cart
A. moves at constant speed.
B. begins to slow immediately.
C. continues at constant speed for a while, then slows down.
D. continues to accelerate.

10. ___D______ Eventually, the cart travels off the edge of the table. After the cart leaves the table
and is in the air, which of the following forces act on the cart?
A. the force of motion B. a normal force C. sliding friction D. the force of gravity

11. __B__ You’re in the back of a friend’s pickup truck when it stalls on a hill. You
jump out, get behind the truck and push with all your might (300 N) in a
vain attempt to keep the truck from accelerating down the hill. The force
the truck exerts on you is:
A. greater than 300 N . B. 300 N. C. less than 300 N.
12. __B__ One force that is always on you is the gravitational force on you by the earth. What is the
Newton's third law pair to this force?

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 A. the normal force on you by the earth. B. the gravitational force on the earth by you.
C. the frictional force on you by the earth. D. none of these.

13. _B___ A horse exerts a 500 N force on a heavy wagon, causing it to accelerate. How much force
does the wagon exert on the horse?
A. less than 500 N. B. 500 N. C. more than 500 N. D. it’s not possible to tell.

14. You push your lawnmower (mass = 15 kg) across the lawn
at constant speed. To do so, you must exert 120 N of force
on the handle. The handle makes a 35° angle with the
horizontal.

a. Sketch a force diagram for the lawnmower.

FN = 220N
After you have completed steps b - e, label
the magnitude of the forces.
Fnet = 0

x 98N
Ffk = 98N
35°
69N

FN = 120N

Fg = 150N

b. Calculate the horizontal component of the force you apply.

cos35°(120N) = 98N

c. How does size of the horizontal component of the force you apply to the lawnmower compare to
the size of frictional force on the lawnmower? Briefly explain why.

They are equal. The lawnmower is moving at a constant speed so the two forces must add to
zero.

d. Write an equation for all of the vertical forces on the lawnmower.

FN – Fg – sin35°(120N) = 0

e. Calculate the size of the normal force.

FN = (15kg)(10N/kg) + 69N = 220N

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15. Draw and label force diagrams for the physics book and for the calculator. Add equality marks
showing any equalities between force diagrams. Circle and label any Newton's third law pairs.

FN,b,E

Fnet = 0 Fnet = 0
FN,c,b
3rd Law pair

FN,b,c Fg,c,e

Fg,b,e

16. A breakneck skier Crazyhead, races down a slope at a constant speed of 75 miles per hour. Use
the appropriate problem-solving procedure to sketch a force diagram for the skier, mass = 80 kg,
in which you label the magnitude of the forces.
FN = 730N
Fnet = 0

Ffk = 340N

25 o Fg ┴ ║
730N 25o

Fg = (80kg)(10N/kg) = 800N

FN = Fg┴  FN = cos25°(800N) = 730N Fg = 800N = 8.0x102 N

Fg║
┴ 340N
Ffk = Fg║  Ffk = sin25°(800N) = 340N

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 17. A 5 kg bucket hangs from a ceiling on a rope. A student attaches a spring scale to the bucket's
handle and pulls horizontally on the scale until it reads 15.0 N.

a. Draw a force diagram that will be useful in answering the questions below.

Fnet = 0
y FT 

15.0 N
5.0 kg
15N x

Fg

b. Calculate the tension in the rope attached to the ceiling when the spring scale reads 15 N.

15N
Fg = 5kg(10N/kg) = 50N
Fg = 50N 
FT =  15 2  50 2 52N

FT

c. Determine the measure of the angle marked in the diagram.

15N
tan 1    17
50N

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