Forces and Newton’s 3 Laws

What is a force? Push or pull Produce changes in motion or direction

Net force: The net force is a combined total force acting on an object. Fnet ΣF We represent force by using vectors- arrow symbols that represent magnitude and direction by their length and which way they point.

Let’s look at forces acting on this box: FN – The Normal Force- table pushing up on the box- THIS IS ALWAYS PERPENDICULAR TO THE SURFACE AND EQUAL TO THE Fg. Stationary: F1 = -20 N west F2 = 20 N east 10 kg Fg What is the Fnet acting on this box: ΣF = Fnet = -20 N + 20 N = 0 FORCES ARE BALANCED A Fnet of zero means no change in movement. The box stays stationary.

Let’s look at forces acting on this box: FN Stationary: F1 = 20 N west F2 = 40 N east 10 kg Fg What is the Fnet acting on this box: ΣF = Fnet = -20 N + 40 N = 20 N east FORCES ARE UNBALANCED Now the Fnet is not zero which means there is a change in movement. This box is not going to remain stationary.

Let’s look at forces acting on this box: FN Stationary: F1 = 20 N west F2 = 40 N east 10 kg Fg What is the Fnet acting on this box: ΣF = Fnet = 20 N + 40 N = 60 N east FORCES ARE UNBALANCED Again there is a non-zero Fnet which means there is a change in movement.

But what if the box had an initial motion: FN Moving with a constant velocity: F1 = -20 N west 10 kg F2 = 20 N east Fg What is the Fnet acting on this box: ΣF = Fnet = -20 N + 20 N = 0 FORCES ARE BALANCED The Fnet is zero which means there is not a change in movement or direction. This box is continues to move with a constant velocity.

So what needs to happen to make this box move? 10 kg UNBALANCED FORCES

What about when the box is already moving with a constant velocity? What would cause the box to stop? 10 kg UNBALANCED FORCES What would happen if there weren’t unbalanced forces? Would the box ever stop?…

…Not according to Newton’s 1st Law of Motion: An object at rest has a natural tendency to stay at rest, or an object in motion will stay in motion, unless a force is acting upon it. This is also known as the law of INERTIA. INERTIA is an objects resistance to change in motion.

Examples of INERTIA: 1. Not wearing your seatbelt- if you get into an accident your body wants to keep moving at the speed you were going.

2. The famous tablecloth trick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-a3kwvY0WM

The relationship between mass and inertia: MASS IS A MEASURE OF INERTIA- the more massive the object, the more that object tends to resist changes in its state of motion. What would be easier to push a small car or a semi?

Adding mass into the mix brings us to Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion: If I push both vehicles with the same amount of force which one would accelerate more? Why? Which turns into Newton’s 2nd equation:

kg m/s2 kg • m/s2 = Newton = N

A medium-sized apple weighs about one Newton.

Let’s find the magnitude of the acceleration for this box if the following forces are applied: FN F1 = -20 N F2 = 40 N 10 kg Fg a = ? Fnet = ΣF = -20 N + 40 N = 20 N m = 10 kg =

This leads us to the Fg: THIS IS WEIGHT g = 9.81 m/s2 ~ 10 m/s2 What’s mass times the acceleration due to gravity? THIS IS WEIGHT

Use the weight equation to find your mass: This needs to be in N. Use 1 N = .22 lbs

Let’s go back and talk about our box again this time analyzing all the forces: FN – EQUAL but OPPOSITE to the Fg = 100 N F1 = -20 N F2 = 20 N 10 kg Fg = ma = mg = -100 N Now we are dealing with forces acting in two directions (x and y). ΣFy = Fnety = 100 N + -100N = 0 ΣFx = Fnetx = -20 N + -20N = 0 This box is not moving or changing direction.

Practice with Newton’s 2nd: 1. A tractor pulls a loaded wagon with a constant force of 400 N. If the total mass of the wagon is 200 kg, what is the wagon’s acceleration?

2. A broken down car is being pushed to the side of the road with a force of 200 N which is causing it to accelerate at .2 m/s2. What is the mass of the car?

3. The car below was moving with an initial velocity of 50 m/s until F2 was applied to slow the car down. What is the deceleration of the box? F1 = 300 N F2 = -500 N 10 kg What is the distance the box travels before it comes to a stop?

4. A student weighs 600 N. What is his mass?