# Laws of Motion Problems

1. A force is applied horizontally on a uniform rod of length L kept on a surface. Calculate the tension in the rod at a distance r from the end where the force is applied.

Let the mass of rod be M, and applied force is F.

Acceleration produced in the rod $a=F/M$
The free body diagram for the above problem is shown.

Using Newton’s second law,

$F-T=\frac{M}{L}r.a$

Or, $T=F-$$\frac{M}{L} r\frac{F}{M} Or, T=F(1-r/L) 2. A person weighs 300 N in a lift which is at rest. When the lift is accelerated, the tensile force is 650 N. Calculate the acceleration of the lift. Consider g=10 m/s^{2}. Given, w=300 N, T=650 N, g=10 m/s^{2} We get mass, m=300/10=30 kg Initially, lift is at rest,hence acceleration a=0a = 0). As the tensile force is greater than 300 N, so the lift accelerates upward. Therefore, T-mg=m a Or, 650-300=30\times a Or, a=350/30=11.67 m/s^{2}. 3. A mass of 5 kg is suspended by a rope of length 2 m from a ceiling. A horizontal force of 45 N is applied at the midpoint R of the rope, as shown. What is the angle the rope makes with the vertical in equilibrium? Consider g=10 m/s^{2}. The free body diagram is shown. As the mass is in equilibrium, the sum of all the external forces on the mass should be zero. Therefore, T_{2}=50N Next, we draw the free body diagram of the point R. As the point R is also in equilibrium, the sum of all the forces at this point should be zero. Then, T_{1}cos \theta =45 N and T_{1}sin \theta =50 N So, tan \theta =50/40 Or, \theta =tan^{-1}(5/4)= 48^{0}. 4. A block of mass of 7 kg rests on a horizontal plane. The plane is gradually inclined at an angle 20^{0} such that the block just begins to slide. Calculate the coefficient of static friction. As the angle of inclination \theta increases, frictional force F_{s}\textit{ }increases until at \theta =\theta _{\max }$$F_{s}$ achieves its maximum value.

Then, $F_{s (max)}=\mu N$\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots .. (1)

We get from the diagram, $mg sin\theta =F_{s}$ and $mg cos\theta =N$

Then from equation (1), we get,

$mg sin\theta _{\max }$=$\mu mg cos\theta _{\max }$

Or, $\tan \theta _{\max } =\mu$

Or, $\mu =tan 20^{0}=0.36$

5. A ball of mass $5kg$ and a block of mass $12kg$ are attached by a lightweight cord that passes over a frictionless pulley as shown. The block is on a frictionless surface of inclination angle 30$^{o}$. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the two objects and the tension in the cord. Consider $g=10 /s^{2}$.

As the objects are connected by a cord, their accelerations have the same magnitude.

Free body diagrams are shown for the two objects.

Normal force, $N=120 cos 30 = 60\sqrt{3}$= 104 N

Also, $120 sin 30-T=m a$

Or, $120 sin 30-T=12 a$

Or, $a=(60-T)/12$ \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots (1)

Also, for the ball, $T-50=5 a$ (as both the objects have the same acceleration) \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots (2)

From equations (1) and (2), we get,

$T-50=5$$(60-T)/12$

Or, $T=52.94 N$

Putting the value of T in equation (1), we get,

$a=(60-52.94)/12$

Or, $a=0.59 m/s^{2}$.