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MECHANICS

 

Kinetics

 

Newton's Laws

 

theory

the Newton

linear acceleration

retardation

 

 

 

Newton's Laws of Motion

 

1. A body will remain at rest or travel at uniform linear velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

 

2. The rate of change of linear momentum is proportional to the applied force and acts in the same direction as the force.

 

3. The forces of two bodies on each other are equal and directed in opposite directions.

 

 

Definition of Momentum

 

Momentum(p) is a vector quantity equal in magnitude to the product of mass and velocity.

Note, mass(m) is a scalar quantity, while velocity(v) is a vector quantity.

 

 

p= mv

 

m (kg)    v(ms-1)    p (kg. ms-1)

 

 

(The letter 'P' in upper case is designated to represent pressure. )

 

 

Theory

 

If we consider a force F acting on a mass m with velocity v, the Second law may be represented by the proportionality:

 

 

Newton's laws - theory

 

 

 

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The Newton N

 

As seen from the theory relating to the Second Law, to get rid of the constant of proportionality each quantity is made unity.

 

So we come to our definition of a Newton:

 

A force of 1 Newton applied to a 1 kg mass will give it an acceleration of 1 ms-2.

 

 

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Linear acceleration

 

Here the mass is either stationary and is accelerated by a force in a straight line or is initially moving at constant velocity before the force is applied.

 

 

Example #1

 

A 5N force acts on a 2.5kg mass, making it accelerate in a straight line.

 

i) What is the acceleration of the mass?
ii) How long will it take to move the mass through 20m?
(Answer to 2 d.p.)

 

 

i)

newton's laws problem #1 diagram

 

 

newton problem #1 i

 

 

ii)

newton problem #01ii

 

 

Example #2

 

A force causes a 3kg mass to accelerate. If the velocity of the mass at time t is given by:

 

v = 2ti - 3t2j + 4t3k

 

what is the magnitude of the force when t = 5 secs. ?

 

 

 

newton problem #02

 

 

 

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Linear retardation

 

Here the mass is already moving at constant velocity in a straight line before the force is applied, opposing the motion.

 

 

Example #1

A 4 kg mass travelling at constant velocity 15 ms-1 has a 10 N force applied to it against the direction of motion.


i) What is the deceleration produced?
ii) How long will it take before the mass is brought to rest?

 

 

i)

newton problem #03i

 

 

ii)

newton problem #03ii

 

 

Example #2

 

A sky diver with mass 80kg is falling at a constant velocity of 70 ms-1 . When he opens his parachute he experiences a constant deceleration of 3g for 2 seconds.


i) What is the magnitude of the decelerating force?
ii) What is his rate of descent at the end of the 2 seconds deceleration?

 

 

i)

newton's laws problem #4i

 

 

ii)

newton problem #4ii

 

 

 

 

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this week's promoted video

 

 from Physics Trek

 

 

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