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0.3 3.4 newton’s second law of motion  (Page 6/13)

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Newton’s second law of motion is more than a definition; it is a relationship among acceleration, force, and mass. It can help us make predictions. Each of those physical quantities can be defined independently, so the second law tells us something basic and universal about nature. The next section introduces the third and final law of motion.

Section summary

  • Acceleration, a size 12{ { {a}} sup { ' }>a} {} , is defined as a change in velocity, meaning a change in its magnitude or direction, or both.
  • An external force is one acting on a system from outside the system, as opposed to internal forces, which act between components within the system.
  • Newton’s second law of motion states that the acceleration of a system is directly proportional to and in the same direction as the net external force acting on the system, and inversely proportional to its mass.
  • In equation form, Newton’s second law of motion is a = F net m size 12{a= { {F rSub { size 8{"net"} } } over {m} } } {} .
  • This is often written in the more familiar form: F net = m a size 12{F rSub { size 8{"net"} } =ma} {} .
  • The weight w size 12{w} {} of an object is defined as the force of gravity acting on an object of mass m size 12{m} {} . The object experiences an acceleration due to gravity g size 12{g} {} :

    w = m g size 12{w=mg} {} .

  • If the only force acting on an object is due to gravity, the object is in free fall.
  • Friction is a force that opposes the motion past each other of objects that are touching.

Conceptual questions

A rock is thrown straight up. What is the net external force acting on the rock when it is at the top of its trajectory?

(a) Give an example of different net external forces acting on the same system to produce different accelerations. (b) Give an example of the same net external force acting on systems of different masses, producing different accelerations. (c) What law accurately describes both effects? State it in words and as an equation.

The gravitational force on the basketball in [link] is ignored. When gravity is taken into account, what is the direction of the net external force on the basketball—above horizontal, below horizontal, or still horizontal?

Problem exercises

A 63.0-kg sprinter starts a race with an acceleration of 4 . 20 m /s 2 size 12{4 "." "20"" m/s" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} . What is the net external force on him?

265 N

Since astronauts in orbit are apparently weightless, a clever method of measuring their masses is needed to monitor their mass gains or losses to adjust diets. One way to do this is to exert a known force on an astronaut and measure the acceleration produced. Suppose a net external force of 50.0 N is exerted and the astronaut’s acceleration is measured to be 0 . 893 m/s 2 size 12{0 "." "893 m/s" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} . (a) Calculate her mass. (b) By exerting a force on the astronaut, the vehicle in which they orbit experiences an equal and opposite force. Discuss how this would affect the measurement of the astronaut’s acceleration. Propose a method in which recoil of the vehicle is avoided.

In [link] , the net external force on the 24-kg mower is stated to be 51 N. If the force of friction opposing the motion is 24 N, what force F size 12{F} {} (in newtons) is the person exerting on the mower? Suppose the mower is moving at 1.5 m/s when the force F size 12{F} {} is removed. How far will the mower go before stopping?

Suppose two children push horizontally, but in exactly opposite directions, on a third child in a wagon. The first child exerts a force of 75.0 N, the second a force of 90.0 N, friction is 12.0 N, and the mass of the third child plus wagon is 23.0 kg. (a) What is the system of interest if the acceleration of the child in the wagon is to be calculated? (b) Draw a free-body diagram, including all forces acting on the system. (c) Calculate the acceleration. (d) What would the acceleration be if friction were 15.0 N?

(a) The system is the child in the wagon plus the wagon.

(b

An object represented as a dot labeled m is shown at the center. One force represented by an arrow labeled as vector F sub 2 acts toward the right. Another force represented by an arrow labeled as vector F sub 1 having a slightly shorter length in comparison with F sub 2 acts on the object pointing left. A friction force represented by an arrow labeled as vector f having a small length acts on the object toward the left. Weight, represented by an arrow labeled as vector W, acts on the object downward, and normal force, represented by an arrow labeled as vector N, acts upward, having the same length as W.

(c) a = 0 . 130 m/s 2 size 12{a=0 "." "130"" m/s" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} in the direction of the second child’s push.

(d) a = 0.00 m/s 2 size 12{a=0" m/s" rSup { size 8{2} } } {}

The rocket sled shown in [link] accelerates at a rate of 49.0 m/s 2 size 12{"49" "." 0" m/s" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} . Its passenger has a mass of 75.0 kg. (a) Calculate the horizontal component of the force the seat exerts against his body. Compare this with his weight by using a ratio. (b) Calculate the direction and magnitude of the total force the seat exerts against his body.

(a) 3.68 × 10 3 N . This force is 5.00 times greater than his weight.

(b) 3750 N; 11.3º above horizontal size 12{"3750"" N; 11" "." 3°" above horizontal"} {}

A sled is shown with four rockets. Friction force is represented by an arrow labeled as vector f pointing toward the left on the sled. The weight of the sled is represented by an arrow labeled as vector W, shown pointing downward, and the normal force is represented by an arrow labeled as vector N having the same length as W acting upward on the sled.

Repeat the previous problem for the situation in which the rocket sled decelerates at a rate of 2 01 m/s 2 size 12{2"01 m/s" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} . In this problem, the forces are exerted by the seat and restraining belts.

The weight of an astronaut plus his space suit on the Moon is only 250 N. How much do they weigh on Earth? What is the mass on the Moon? On Earth?

1.5 × 10 3 N , 150 kg , 150 kg

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Source:  OpenStax, Newton's laws. OpenStax CNX. Oct 25, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11898/1.1
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