Slide 1 / 105

Dynamics
in
Two Dimensions
 Slide 2 / 105

Things to Remember from Last Year

· Newton's Three Laws of Motion
· Inertial Reference Frames
· Mass vs. Weight
· Forces we studied:
weight / gravity
normal force
tension
friction (kinetic and static)
· Drawing Free Body Diagrams
· Problem Solving
 Slide 3 / 105

Newton's Laws of Motion

1. An object maintains its velocity (both speed and

direction) unless acted upon by a nonzero net force.

2. Newton’s second law is the relation between

acceleration and force.

ΣF = ma
3. Whenever one object exerts a force on a second
object, the second object exerts an equal force in
the opposite direction on the first object.
 Slide 4 / 105

Inertial Reference Frames

Newton's laws are only valid in inertial reference

frames:

In an inertial frame of reference, all motion has a

constant direction and magnitude. This is not the
case in rotating and accelerating frames.
 Slide 5 / 105

Mass and Weight

MASS is the measure of the inertia of an object, the
resistance of an object to accelerate.

WEIGHT is the force exerted on that object by

gravity. Close to the surface of the Earth, where the
gravitational force is nearly constant, the weight is:

FG = mg
Mass is measured in kilograms, weight Newtons
 Slide 6 / 105

Normal Force and Weight

FN

The Normal Force,

FN, is ALWAYS
perpendicular to
the surface.
mg
Weight, mg, is
ALWAYS directed
downward.
 Slide 7 / 105

Kinetic Friction
Friction forces are v
ALWAYS parallel to
the surface exerting fK
them.

Kinetic friction is
always directed
opposite to
direction the object
is sliding and has
magnitude:

fK = μ k F N
 Slide 8 / 105

Static Friction

Static friction is
always equal and
fS FAPP
opposite the Net
Applied Force
acting on the object
(not including
friction).

Its magnitude is:

fS ≤ μ S F N
 Slide 9 / 105

Tension Force

When a cord or rope pulls on an

object, it is said to be under
tension, and the force it exerts is
called a tension force, FT. FT
a

mg
 Slide 10 / 105

Two Dimensions
 Slide 11 / 105

Resolving Forces

Since forces are vectors, they may have both a

horizontal and vertical influence on an object.

In order to solve problems using forces acting at an

angle, we must find the horizontal (x) and vertical
(y) components of the forces using trigonometry
(right triangles/SohCahToa).
 Slide 12 / 105

Resolving Forces
Consider a child pulling a wagon down the street.
The wagon has a handle that is not vertical, not
horizontal, but at an angle. This means the child is
pulling UP and OVER at the same time.
 Slide 13 / 105

Resolving Forces
A free body diagram would include this, and all
other forces, as seen below.
FN

Fapp
Ff

mg

FN

Ff Fapp

mg
 Slide 14 / 105

y (vertical) component

θ
x (horizontal) component

To find the net force on the object, we consider

each component separately. Let's assume the
force the child pulled with was 50 Newtons at 30o

F = 50 N y (vertical) component
Fy
θ
x (horizontal) component
Fx
 Slide 15 / 105

F = 50 N y (vertical) component
Fy
30o
x (horizontal) component
Fx

We can use COSINE = Adjacent / Hypotenuse to find Fx

So Fx = 43.3 N
 Slide 16 / 105

F = 50 N y (vertical) component
Fy
30o
x (horizontal) component
Fx = 43.3 N
The horizontal (x) component of the force is equal to
43.3 N. We can include this on a free body diagram:
FN

FN
Ff
Fx Ff
Fx

mg
mg

But if we do that, we lose the vertical (y) component

of the original force... so we must find that next:
 Slide 17 / 105

F = 50 N y (vertical) component
Fy
30o
x (horizontal) component
Fx

We can use SINE = Opposite/ Hypotenuse to find Fy

So Fy = 25 N
 Slide 18 / 105

F = 50 N y (vertical) component
Fy = 25 N
30o
x (horizontal) component
Fx = 43.3 N
The vertical (y) component of the force is equal to 25 N.
We can now add this to complete the free body diagram:

Fy
Fy
FN
FN
Ff Ff
Fx Fx
mg
mg

Notice that our original force Fapp is no longer shown... it

can be replaced by the x and y components!
 Slide 19 / 105

Resolving forces practice:

Resolve each of the forces into x and y components, and then
show the components on a free body diagram.

Ex.
20N
40o
 Slide 20 / 105

Resolving forces practice:

Resolve each of the forces into x and y components, and then show
the components on a free body diagram. Show your work on a
separate page!
1. 2.

100N 500N
45o 15o

4.
3.
250N
-25 o 22o

330N
 Slide 21 / 105

Resolving forces Homework:

Resolve each of the forces into x and y components, and then show
the components on a free body diagram. Show your work on a
separate page!
1. 2.

80N 600N
40o 35o

4.
3.
1500N

-60 o 12o
24N
 Slide 22 / 105

Force and friction acting on an object

Previously, we solved
problems with multiple
forces, but they were
either parallel or
perpendicular.

For instance, draw the

free body diagram of
the case where a box
is being pulled along a
surface, with friction,
at constant speed.
 Slide 23 / 105

Force and friction acting on an object

Now find the FN
acceleration given
that the applied FAPP
f
force is 20N, the
box has a mass of
3.0kg, and the
coefficient of kinetic mg
friction is 0.20.
 Slide 24 / 105

Force and friction acting on an object

FN
x - axis y - axis

f FAPP ΣF = ma ΣF = ma
FAPP - fk = ma FN - mg = 0
FAPP - μkFN = ma FN = mg
mg
FAPP - μkmg = ma FN = (3.0kg)(10m/s2)
FAPP = 20N
a = (FAPP - μkmg)/m FN = 30N
m = 3.0kg
μk = 0.20 a = (20N - (0.20)(30N))/3.0kg
a = (20N - 6.0N)/3.0kg
a = (14N)/3.0kg
a = 4.7 m/s2
 Slide 25 / 105

Forces at angles acting on an object

Now we'll solve

problems where the
forces act at an angle
so that it is not parallel
or perpendicular with
one another.

First we do a free body

diagram, just as we did
previously.
 Slide 26 / 105

Forces at angles acting on an object

The next, critical, step is
to choose axes.
FN P
Previously, we always F AP
used vertical and f
horizontal axes, since
one axis lined up with
the forces...and the
acceleration. mg
Now, we must choose axes so that all the acceleration is
along one axis, and there is no acceleration along the other.
You always have to ask, "In which direction could this object
accelerate?" Then make one axis along that direction, and the
other perpendicular to that.
What's the answer in this case?
 Slide 27 / 105

Forces at angles acting on an object

This time vertical and y
horizontal axes still FN
work...since we assume F AP
P X
the box will slide along f
the surface.

However, if this
assumption is wrong, mg
we'll get answers that
don't make sense, and
we'll have to reconsider
our choice.
 Slide 28 / 105

Forces at angles acting on an object

Now we have to break y
any forces that don't FN
line up with our axes P X
F AP
into components that f
do.

In this case, FAPP, must

be broken into mg

Fx and Fy
 Slide 29 / 105

Forces at angles acting on an object

y
Once we do that, FN
we can now X
proceed as we did f Fy
previously, just Fx
using each
component
appropriately. mg
 Slide 30 / 105

Force and friction acting on an object

Let's use our work y
to find the FN X
acceleration if the
f Fy
applied force is 20N
at 37o above Fx
horizontal, the box
has a mass of mg
3.0kg, and the
coefficient of kinetic
friction is 0.20.
 Slide 31 / 105

Force and friction acting on an object

FAPP = 20N at 37o x - axis y - axis
m = 3.0kg
ΣF = ma ΣF = ma
μk = 0.20
Fx - fk = ma FN + Fy - mg = 0
y FN Fx - μkFN = ma FN = mg - Fy
X
Fcosθ - μkmg = ma FN = mg - Fsinθ
f FAPPy
FAPPx a = (Fcosθ - μkFN)/m FN = (3.0kg)(10m/s2)
- (20N)(sin37o)
a = (20N cos37o
mg - (0.20)(18N))/3.0kg FN = 30N - 12N
a = (16N - 3.6N)/3.0kg FN = 18N

a = (12.4N)/3.0kg Note that FN is lower

due to the force helping
a = 4.1 m/s2 to support the object
 Slide 32 / 105

Normal Force and Friction

Friction was reduced
because the Normal FN
Force was reduced; the FAPPy
box's weight, mg, was
supported by the y-
mg
component of the force
plus the Normal
Force...so the Normal
Force was Just looking at the y-axis
lowered...lowering
ΣF = ma Fy
friction.
FN + Fy - mg = 0
FN
FN = mg - Fy
FN = mg - Fsinθ mg
 Slide 33 / 105

Normal Force and Friction

What would happen

with both the Normal
Force and Friction in
the case that the object
is being pushed along
the floor by a downward
angled force.
 Slide 34 / 105

Normal Force and Friction

y FN
What would happen
with both the Normal X
Force and Friction in f
the case that the object
is being pushed along FA
PP
the floor by a downward
angled force? mg
 Slide 35 / 105

Normal Force and Friction

y
In this case the pushing FN
force is also pushing X
the box into the surface, f Fx
increasing the Normal
Force as well as friction. Fy

Just looking at the y-axis mg

FN
ΣF = ma
FN - Fy - mg = 0
mg
FN = mg + Fy
FN = mg + Fsinθ
Fy
 Slide 36 / 105

1 The normal force on the box is:

A mg
Fapp
B mg sinθ θ
C mg cosθ
D mg + F sinθ
E mg - F sin#

http://njc.tl/6v
 Slide 37 / 105

2 The frictional force on the box is:

A μ(mg + Fsin(θ))
B μ(mg - Fsin(θ)) Fapp
θ
C μ(mg + Fcos(θ))
D μ(mg - Fcos(θ))
E μmg

http://njc.tl/6w
 Slide 38 / 105

3 A block of mass m is pulled along a horizontal

surface at constant speed v by a force Fapp , which
acts at an angle of θ with the horizontal. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the block
and the surface is μ.

The normal force exerted on the block by the

surface is:
Fapp

A mg - Fapp cosθ
θ
B mg - Fapp sinθ v
m
C mg
D mg + Fapp sinθ

http://njc.tl/6x
E mg + Fapp cosθ
 Slide 39 / 105

4 A block of mass m is pulled along a horizontal

surface at constant speed v by a force Fapp , which
acts at an angle of θ with the horizontal. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and
the surface is μ.

The friction force on the block is:

Fapp

A μ(mg - Fapp cosθ) θ

v
B μ(mg - Fapp sinθ) m

C μmg
D μ(mg + Fapp sinθ)
E μ(mg + Fapp cosθ)
http://njc.tl/6y
 Slide 40 / 105

Normal Force and Weight

FN
Previously we dealt
mostly with
horizontal (or,
rarely, vertical
surfaces). In that
case FN, and mg mg
were always along
the same axis.

Now we will look at

the more general
case.
 Slide 41 / 105

Inclined Plane

On the picture, draw

the free body
diagram for the
block.

Show the weight and

the normal force.
 Slide 42 / 105

Inclined Plane

FN is ALWAYS
perpendicular to the
surface. FN

mg is ALWAYS
directed downward.

But now, they are mg

neither parallel or
perpendicular to one
another.
 Slide 43 / 105

Choosing Axes
Previously, we used
vertical and horizontal
axes. That worked
because problems FN
always resulted in an
acceleration that was
along one of those
axes.
mg
We will change our
axes so that the
acceleration is all in
one dimension. To do
this, we will call the
surface our x-axis.
 Slide 44 / 105

Choosing Axes
In this case, the block
can only accelerate
along the surface of the
plane.
FN
Even if there is no
acceleration in a
problem, we will use

a
the surface as the 'x-
axis'. mg

So we rotate our x-y

axes to line up with the
surface of the plane.
 Slide 45 / 105

Choosing Axes
In this case, the block
can only accelerate y
along the surface of
the plane.
FN
So we rotate our x-y
axes to line up with the
surface of the plane.

a
mg
X
 Slide 46 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

Unlike the last section, in this case θ is both the angle of
incline and the angle between mg and the new y-axis.

y-axis This means we will need to use

different functions to find
Force in the x and Force in the
y dimension.

θ'

θ
 Slide 47 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

Let's name the angle of the

inclined plane θ and the angle
y-axis between mg and the x-axis θ'
and show that
θ = θ'

Since the angles in a triangle add

to 180o, and the bottom left angle
θ' α is 90o, that means:

α + θ = 90o
θ
 Slide 48 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

Now look at the angles in the upper left corner of the triangle.

Since we have a right angle

y-axis
between mg and the surface, the
angle α in the triangle
complements the angle θ' from
the y-axis.

θ' α θ' + α = 90o

But we already showed that

θ α + θ = 90o

So we can conclude...

θ' = θ
 Slide 49 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

We need to account for gravity going INTO the surface
(y) and ALONG the surface (x). In order to do this, we
resolve mg into its x and y components.

Fx a
Fy θ

Fy
θ
mg Fx

θ
 Slide 50 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

We need to find the x and y components of mg using
SohCahToa.

Fx
a
θ
Fy

Fx
θ

For Fx we have our OPPOSITE side and our HYPOTENUSE, so we will use SINE.
 Slide 51 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

We need to find the x and y components of mg using
SohCahToa.

Fx
a
θ
Fy

Fx
θ

For Fy we have our ADJACENT side and our HYPOTENUSE, so we will use COSINE.
 Slide 52 / 105

Example 1
A 20 kg mass sits on an inclined plane at an angle of
40o. Determine the forces ALONG (x) and INTO (y) the
surface of the inclined plane.

20kg

40o
 Slide 53 / 105

Incline Plane Practice Problems

Find Fx and F-y for each example below:

1. m = 80kg
θ = 25o
2. m = 2.0 kg
θ = 37o

3. m = 150kg
θ = 45o
 Slide 54 / 105

Incline Plane Homework Problems

Find Fx and F-y for each example below:

1. m = 40 kg
θ = 17o
2. m = 8.0 kg
θ = 42o

3.

m = 10 kg
θ = 73o
 Slide 55 / 105

Putting it all together:

In order to study the
motion of the block y
along the plane, we
can now evaluate our FN
free body diagram
using Fx and Fy.

a
mg
X
 Slide 56 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

Now we just use Newton's Second Law, which is true for each
axis.
x - axis y - axis
FN
ΣFx = max ΣFy = may
θ

mgsinθ = max FN - mgcosθ = 0

os

a
gc

θ
=m

a = gsinθ FN = mgcosθ
Fy

Fx
=m
down the plane
gs
in
θ
 Slide 57 / 105

Answer

FN
θ

y
os
m gc θ

mg
g

si n
θ

x
ΣFx = max

θ mg sin θ = ma

A 5 kg block slides down a frictionless g sin θ = a

incline at an angle
of 30 degrees. a = g sin θ

a = 10 m/s2 sin (30o)

a) Draw a free body diagram.
b) Find its acceleration.
(Use g = 10 m/s2) a = 10 m/s2 (0.5)

a = 5 m/s2
 Slide 58 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems with Friction

We can add kinetic friction to our inclined plane example. The
kinetic friction points opposite the direction of motion.

We now have a second vector along the x axis. fk points in the

negative direction (recall fk = μk FN)

FN

y
fk FN
fk

a
sθ
a

co
mg

mg
θ
mg
si n

x
θ
θ
 Slide 59 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems with Friction

x - axis y - axis

ΣFx = max ΣFy = may

FN = mg cosθ
mgsinθ - fk = ma

y
FN
mgsinθ - μkFN = ma
fk

a
mgsinθ - μkmgcosθ = ma

sθ
co
gsinθ - μkgcosθ = a

mg
θ
a = gsinθ - μkgcosθ mg
si n

x
θ
a = g(sinθ - μk cosθ)
 Slide 60 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems with Friction

The general solution for objects sliding down an incline is:

a = g(sinθ - μkcosθ)

Note, that if there is no friction:

μk = 0

and we get our previous result for a frictionless plane:

a = gsinθ
 Slide 61 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems with Friction

a = g(sinθ - μkcosθ)

If the object is sliding with constant velocity: a = 0

a = g(sinθ - μkcosθ)
y
FN
fk
a=0 0 = g(sinθ - μkcosθ)
sθ

0 = sinθ - μkcosθ
co

μk cosθ = sinθ
mg

θ
mg
si n μk = sinθ / cosθ
x

θ
μk = tanθ
 Slide 62 / 105

Inclined Plane with Static Friction

We just showed that for an object
sliding with constant velocity down
an inclined plane that:

y
FN μk = tanθ
fs
a=0
Similarly, substituting μs for μk (at
sθ

the maximum static force; the

co

largest angle of incline before the

mg

θ
mg object begins to slide) than:
si n
x

θ
μs = tanθ max

But this requires that the MAXIMUM

ANGLE of incline, θ max, be used to
determine μs.
 Slide 63 / 105

Answer

fk
mg cos θ

mg sin θ

FN
y
mg
x
θ ΣF = ma

mg sin θ - fK = 0

A 5 kg block slides down an incline at an mg sin θ = fK

angle of 30o with a constant speed. mg sin θ = μ FN

mg sin θ = μ mg cos θ
a) Draw a free body diagram.
b) Find the coefficient of friction μ = mg sin θ / mg cos θ

between the block and the incline. μ = tan θ

(Use g = 10 m/s2) μ = tan 30 = 0.58

 Slide 64 / 105

a=
Answer

0
Fa
pp
FN
s θ
co
mg θ fK
y-direction
mg

mg
ΣF = ma

sin
θ
FN - mg cos θ = 0

θ FN = mg cos θ

A 5 kg block is pulled up an incline at x-direction

an angle of 30 degrees at a constant ΣF = ma
velocity The coefficient of friction
Fapp - mg sin θ - fk = ma
between the block and the incline is
0.3.
Fapp - mg sin θ -μk FN = 0
a) Draw a free body diagram. Fapp = mg sin θ + μk mg
b) Find the applied force. cos θ
(Use g = 10 m/s2)
Fapp = 38 N
 Slide 65 / 105

a
y-axis Fa
pp
ΣF = ma FN
θ
FN - mg cos θ = 0 cos fK
mg θ
FN = mg cos θ mg

mg
θ

sin
θ
A 5 kg block is pulled UP an x-axis
incline at an angle of 30 ΣF = ma
degrees with a force of 40 N. Fapp - mg sin θ - fk = ma
The coefficient of friction
between the block and the Fapp - mg sin θ -μk FN = ma
incline is 0.3.
Fapp - mg sin θ - μk mg cos θ = ma
a) Draw a free body diagram. a = Fapp/m - g sin θ - μk g cos θ
b) Find the block's acceleration.
(Use g = 10 m/s2)
a = 0.4 m/s2
 Slide 66 / 105

Inclined Plane Problems

If a mass, m, slides down a frictonless inclined plane, we
have this general setup:

y
FN

x
It is helpful to rotate
a

mg our reference frame so

that the +x axis is
parallel to the inclined
plane and the +y axis
θ
points in the direction
of FN.
 Slide 67 / 105

y-direction
fs
ΣF = ma FN
FN - mg cos θ = 0 o sθ
g c
θ

a=
m
FN = mg cos θ
mg

0
mg
x-direction

sin
θ ΣF = ma

θ
A 5 kg block remains fs = mg sin θ
stationary on an incline. The
μs mg cos θ = mg sin θ
coefficients of static and
kinetic friction are 0.4 and μs cos θ = sin θ
0.3, respectively.
μs = sin θ / cos θ
a) Draw a free body diagram. μs = tan θ
b) Determine the angle that
θ = tan-1 μs
the block will start to move.
(Use g = 10 m/s2) θ = 21.8o
 Slide 68 / 105

5 A block with a mass of m slides down an

incline as shown above with an
acceleration a.

Which choice represents the

correct free-body diagram?
A B C D E

N N N N
N
f f f
f f

W W W W
W
 Slide 69 / 105

6 A block with a mass of 15 kg slides down

a 43° incline as shown above with an
acceleration of 3 m/s2.

What is the normal force N applied

by the inclined plane on
the block?

A 5 5 .2 5 N
B 6 2 .5 N
C 1 0 0 .2 5 N
D 1 0 7 .5 N
E 147 N

http://njc.tl/6z
 Slide 70 / 105

7 A block with a mass of 15 kg slides down a

43° incline as shown above with an
acceleration of 3 m/s2.

The magnitude of the

frictional force along the
plane is nearly:

A 5 5 .2 5 N

B 6 2 .5 N

C 1 0 0 .2 5 N

D 1 0 7 .5 N

E 147 N

http://njc.tl/70
 Slide 71 / 105

Static Equilibrium
There is a whole field of problems called
"Statics" that has to do with cases where no
acceleration occurs, objects remain at rest.

Anytime we construct something (bridges,

buildings, houses, etc.) we want them to
remain stationary, not accelerate. So this is a
very important field.

The two types of static equilibrium are with

respect to linear and rotational acceleration, a
balancing of force and of torque (forces that
cause objects to rotate). We'll look at them in
that order.
 Slide 72 / 105

Tension Force
Previously, we did problems where a rope
supporting an object exerted a vertical force
straight upward, along the same axis as the
force mg was pulling it down. That led to
the simple case that if a = 0, then FT = mg
FT

mg
 Slide 73 / 105

8 A uniform rope of weight 20 N hangs from a hook

as shown above. A box of mass 60 kg is
suspended from the rope. What is the tension in
the rope?

http://njc.tl/71
 Slide 74 / 105

9 A system of two blocks is accelerated by an

applied force of magnitude F on the frictionless
horizontal surface. The tension in the string
between the blocks is:

6 kg 4 kg F

http://njc.tl/72
 Slide 75 / 105

Tension Force

T2 It is also possible for two (or more) ropes to

T1 support a stationary object (a = 0) by
exerting forces at angles.

In this case, since it is at rest, the ΣF on the

object is zero.
mg
 Slide 76 / 105

Tension Force
Since the only other force on the object is
gravity:
T2
T1 The vertical components of the force exerted
by each rope must add up to mg.

ΣFy = T1y + T2y - mg

mg 0 = T1y + T2y - mg

mg = T1y + T2y
 Slide 77 / 105

Tension Force
And the horizontal components must add to
zero.

T2 ΣFx = -T1x + T2x

T1
0 = -T1x + T2x

T1x = T2x

mg
 Slide 78 / 105

Tension Force
So we need to break the forces into
components that align with our axes.

T2x

T1x T2y
T2
T1 T1y T2
θ2
T1 θ1
mg

mg
 Slide 79 / 105

T2x Tension Force

T1x
T2y Let's calculate the tension in two
T1y ropes if the first, T1, is at an angle of
20o
50o from the vertical and the
o
50

second,T2, is at an angle of 20o from

the vertical and they are supporting
mg an 8.0 kg mass.
 Slide 80 / 105

Tension Force
Let's start with T1.

T1x =T1sin(θ)
To find the horizontal component, we will use
T1 T1y Sin(θ) = Opp/Hyp
50o

So...

Sin(θ) = T1x/T1
mg
T1x = T1 sin(θ)
 Slide 81 / 105

Tension Force
T1x =T1sin(θ) To find the vertical component, we will use
Cos(θ) = Adj/Hyp
T1 T1y =T1cos(θ)
50o
So...

Cos(θ) = T1y/T1

mg T1y = T1 cos(θ)
 Slide 82 / 105

Tension Force
T2x =T2sin(θ)
Moving on to T2:

T2y To find the horizontal component, we will AGAIN use

20
o
T2 Sin(θ) = Opp/Hyp

So...

Sin(θ) = T2x/T2
mg
T2x = T2 sin(θ)
 Slide 83 / 105

T2x =T2sin(θ) Tension Force

T2y =T2cos(θ)
To find the vertical component, we will use
20o T2 Cos(θ) = Adj/Hyp

So...

Cos(θ) = T2y/T2
mg
T2y = T2 cos(θ)
 Slide 84 / 105

T2x Tension Force

T1x Now we can put it all together using our force
T2y equations based on the free body diagram!
T1y
20o x - axis y - axis
50o

mg
 Slide 85 / 105

T2x Tension Force

T1x
T2y
T1y
o
20o
50

x - axis y - axis
mg ΣFy = may = 0
ΣFx = max = 0
T1y + T2y - mg = 0
T1x - T2x = 0
T1cosθ 1 + T2cosθ 2 = mg
T1sinθ 1 = T2sinθ 2 (Plug-in back into the
x-direction)
T1 = T2sinθ 2/sinθ 1
T1 = T2 (sin20o/sin50o)
T1 = T2 (0.34/0.77)
T1 = 0.44 T2
(Solve for T2 in the
y-direction)

T1 = 0.44 (64N)
T1 = 28N
 Slide 86 / 105

Tension Force
T2x Note that the tension 2 at an angle of 20o
is significantly larger than the tension 1
T1x at an angle of 50o.
T2y
T1y T2 = 64N This is because the y-component of
20o
50o the tension is 'more vertical' in T2 than
T1 = 28N
in T1.

This will always be the case... Tensions

mg at a smaller angle from the vertical will
be GREATER and tensions at a larger
angle from the vertical will be
SMALLER.
 Slide 87 / 105

Tension Force
θ θ *A SPECIAL CASE!

Ty Ty If the ropes form equal angles to the

θ θ vertical, the tension in each must also
be equal, otherwise the x-components
Tx Tx of Tension would not add to zero.

mg
 Slide 88 / 105

Tension Force
x - axis y - axis
θ θ
ΣFx = max = 0 ΣFy = may = 0
Ty Ty T1y + T2y - mg = 0
θ θ T1x - T2x = 0
Tcosθ + Tcosθ = mg
Tsinθ = Tsinθ
2Tcosθ = mg
Tx Tx
T = mg / (2cosθ)
mg

Note that the tension rises as cosθ becomes smaller...which occurs as θ approaches 90o.

It goes to infinity at 90o, which shows that the ropes can never be perfectly horizontal.

This confirms that if the angles are equal, the tensions are equal
 Slide 89 / 105

10 A lamp of mass m is suspended from two ropes of

unequal length as shown above. Which of the
following is true about the tensions T1 and T2 in the
cables?

A T1 < T2
B T1 = T2
T2 T1
C T1 > T2
D T 1 + T 2 = mg
E T 1 - T 2 = mg

http://njc.tl/73
 Slide 90 / 105

11 A large mass m is suspended from two massless

strings of an equal length as shown below. The
tension force in each string is:

A ½ mg cos(θ)
B 2 mg cos(θ)
C mg cos(θ)
D mg/cos(θ) θ θ
E mg/2cos(θ)

http://njc.tl/74
 Slide 91 / 105

Torque and Rotational Equilibrium

Forces act on object and create motion in a LINEAR
direction.

When an action on an object causes it to move in a

ROTATIONAL direction, it is called TORQUE.

Rotational dynamics is a major topic of AP Physics C:

Mechanics. It isn't particularly difficult, but for AP B, we only
need to understand the static case, where all the torques
cancel, add to zero.

First we need to know what torque is.

 Slide 92 / 105

Torque and Rotational Equilibrium

Until now we've treated objects as points, we haven't been

concerned with their shape or extension in space.

We've assumed that any applied force acts through the

center of the object and it is free to accelerate. That does
not result in rotation, just linear acceleration.

But if the force acts on an object so that it causes the

object to rotate around its center of mass...or around a
pivot point, that force has exerted a torque on the object.
 Slide 93 / 105

Torque and Rotational Equilibrium

A good example is opening a door,
making a door rotate. The door
does not accelerate in a straight
line, it rotates around its hinges.

Think of the best direction and

location to push on a heavy door to
get it to rotate and you'll have a
good sense of how torque works.

Which force (blue arrow) placed at

which location would create the
most rotational acceleration of the
green door about the black hinge.
 Slide 94 / 105

Torque and Rotational Equilibrium

The maximum torque is obtained from:

· The largest force

· At the greatest distance from the pivot
· At an angle to the line to the pivot that
is closest to perpendicular

Mathematically, this becomes:

τ = Frsinθ

τ (tau) is the symbol for torque;

F is the applied force
r is the distance from the pivot
θ is the angle of the force to a line to the pivot
 Slide 95 / 105

Torque and Rotational Equilibrium

τ = Frsinθ
F
When r decreases, so does 90o
the torque for a given force. r
When r = 0, τ = 0.

We will only study cases in

which the force is applied at
90o. In this case sin(90o) =
1, so our equation τ = Fr
becomes...
 Slide 96 / 105

Rotational Equilibrium
When the sum of the torques on an object is zero, the
object is in rotational equilibrium.

Define counter clockwise (CCW) as the positive direction

for rotation and clockwise (CW) as the negative.

For instance, what perpendicular force, F, must be applied

at a distance of 7.0 m for the pivot to exactly offset a 20N
force acting at a distance of 4.0m from the pivot of a door
?
 Slide 97 / 105

Rotational Equilibrium
Στ = 0
20N
F1r1+ F2r2 =0
3.0m
4.0m F 1r 1 = - F 2r 2
F1
F 1 = - F 2r 2 / r 1
F1 = - (-20N)(4.0m) / (7m)

F1 = (80Nm) / (7m)

F1 = 11.4N
 Slide 98 / 105

Rotational Equilibrium
3.0m 1.0m 4.0m

4kg 2kg

What mass must be added at distance 4.0m to put the

above apparatus into equilibrium?
 Slide 99 / 105

Rotational Equilibrium
3.0m 1.0m 4.0m

4kg 2kg

Στ = 0
F 1r 1 + F 2r 2 - F 3r 3 = 0
+m1gr1 + m2gr2 - m3gr3 = 0
+m1r1 + m2r2 - m3r3 = 0
m3 = (m1r1 + m2r2) / r3
m3 = ((4kg)(3m) +(2kg)(1m)) / 4m
F1 = (14kg-m)) / (4m)
F1 = 3.2kg
 Slide 100 / 105

Dynamics Quiz 1:

1. A man pulls a heavy suitcase along at an angle of 60o from the

horizontal with a force of 120 N, as shown below. Determine the
horizontal and vertical components of the force applied to the
suitcase.

120N

60o
 Slide 101 / 105

A force of 500 N is applied at an angle of 30o from the horizontal, as

2. shown below. Determine the Normal Force on the box that results from
this situation.

Fapp
θ
 Slide 102 / 105

3. A box with mass 14.0 kg sits on an incline plane at an

angle of 37o. Determine the components of the force of gravity on the box
ALONG and INTO the plane (Fx and Fy)

14
.0
kg

θ = 37o
Slide 103 / 105
 Slide 104 / 105

Torque and Rotational Equilibrium

A good example is opening a door, making a door

rotate.

The door does not accelerate in a straight line, it

rotates around its hinges.

Think of the best direction and location to push on a

heavy door to get it to rotate and you'll have a good
sense of how torque works.
 Slide 105 / 105

Tension Force
x - axis y - axis
θ θ
ΣFx = max = 0 ΣFy = may = 0
Ty Ty T1y + T2y - mg = 0
T1x - T2x = 0
θ θ
Tcosθ + Tcosθ = mg
Tsinθ = Tsinθ
Tx Tx 2Tcosθ = mg
T = mg / (2cosθ)
mg which just confirms
that if the angles are
Note that the tension
equal, the tensions
rises as cosθ becomes
are equal
smaller...which occurs as
θ approaches 90o.

It goes to infinity at 90o,

which shows that the
ropes can never be
perfectly horizontal.