Unit 4: Newtons Laws of Motion

I.

Sir Isaac Newton

Bio Websites:
http://www.maths.tcd.ie/pub/HistMath/People/Newton/RouseBall/RB_Newton.html
http://www.newton.ac.uk/newtlife.html ***
Pictures: http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/PictDisplay/Newton.html

II.

Weight versus Mass

A. Mass is the amount of matter an object or entity consists of.
1. Measured in kilograms (base unit)
2. An objects mass is constant, regardless of its location
B. Weight is the measure of the gravitational force on an object.
1. Measured in Newtons and pounds (lbs. Latin abbreviation for Libras)
2. W = mg
3. An objects weight varies, depending on its location.
Handout: Gravitational Forces Tables.doc
4. The further away an object is from the dictating objects COG, the
lower the gravitational field strength and weight.
a. Earths non-spherical shape (wider at the equator) due to rotation
b. altitude
C. Conversions
1.
Unit
Metri
c
Engli
sh
2.

Mass
kg

Weight
N

lbs-m
(slugs)

lbs-f

Conversions between kg and lbs. in the Unit Conversion Table are

based on the average Earth gravitational field strength of 9.8066

Class Activity: Mass vs. weight.doc

III.

Newtons First Law of Motion

A. An object in motion will remain in motion and an object at rest will remain
at rest unless acted upon by a net external force. (i.e., inertia or F = 0)
YouTube - High Speed Balloon Bounce
YouTube - Brainiac's - Things but very slowly - compilation part 1
(0:00,2:34,3:34,4:24)
YouTube - Slow motion high FPS compilation
(1:35,2:08,2:58.3:30,3:46,5:45)
B. If no net external force is acting on an object, then F= 0. The object is
said to be in equilibrium in such a case.
1. Static equilibrium is typically achieved for objects that we do not want
to move (buildings, bridges, supports, etc.; however, there must be
some room allowed for movement for these objects in order to not
become brittle/inflexible)
2. If F 0, then a net external force is present, which will alter the
motion of the object.

3. A Free-Body Diagram (FBD) shows all the forces acting on an object. In

the FBD, the object and its surroundings are not significant. The
emphasis in put on the force vectors.
Sample Problems: Newtons First Law of Motion Sample Problems 1 and
2.pptx
Assignment: Newtons 1st Law Worksheet.doc
Website: KIDS: How do Airplanes Fly
Lab/Activity: paper airplane experiment.doc
IV.

Newtons Second Law of Motion

A. The sum of all forces on an object is equal to the product of the objects
mass and acceleration. (i.e., F = ma)
B. Newtons Second Law of Motion blankets Newtons First Law of Motion due
to the fact that an object in equilibrium will have no acceleration, thus F =
0.
C. If an objects motion is changing, then it is either accelerating or
decelerating. This is caused by a net external force acting on the object.
D. The greater the mass of an object, the greater its inertia. Therefore, a
greater force is required to accelerate the object.
Sample Problems: Newtons Second Law of Motion Sample Problems 1, 2, and
3.pptx
Assignment: Newton's 2nd Law of Motion Worksheet.doc
Assignment: Pg.113-114 #s 67,68,70,72,74 and Pg.142 #s 85-86
Quiz: Newton's Laws of Motion Quiz.doc

V.

Newtons Third Law of Motion

A. For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction (i.e., action and
reaction)
B. A support reaction force must be present in order for static equilibrium to
exist when a net external force is applied to an object.
Sample Problems: Static Equilibrium Sample Problems 1 and 2.pptx
Assignment: Static Equilibrium Worksheet.doc
Gusset Plate Pictures:
http://www.taproot.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/content2007-08-09-20070809-gussetplate-2.jpg
http://images.publicradio.org/content/2008/03/24/20080324_bent_33.jpg
http://www.garrettsbridges.com/images/whoopingcreek12.jpg

VI.

Force of Friction
Friction always opposes the motion of an object parallel to the surface on
A.
which the movement is occurring. Ff = Fn
A normal force (Fn) is present, which is always perpendicular to the surface
B.
on which the movement is occurring.
The coefficient of friction between two surfaces is determined through
C.
experimentation, and represented by the Greek letter mu ().
1. The coefficient of static friction, s, exists when an object is stationary
and a force is applied to move the object along a surface.

a. In such a case Fx 0.
b. The sum of forces along the surface of movement (typically in the xdir.) will remain equal to zero if the pushing force(s) are not great
enough to overcome the force of friction. The object will remain
stationary, i.e., in equilibrium.
2. The coefficient of kinetic friction, k, exists when an object is in motion
and a force is applied to either accelerate or decelerate the object.
a. In such a case Fx = ma
b. The sum of forces along the surface of movement (typically in the xdir.) will follow Newtons Second Law due to the fact that a change in
motion will occur.
3. Coefficients are typically less than 1 (but not always) and always
greater than 0. The greater the coefficient, the greater the force of
friction.
Coefficient of Friction Table on Pg. 129
Website: http://frictioncenter.siu.edu/databaseSearch.html
Website:
http://www.roymech.co.uk/Useful_Tables/Tribology/co_of_frict.htm
Video: YouTube - Christmas Vacation saucer sled scene (Clark Griswold
Super Sled)
Sample Problems: Newton's 3rd Law Worksheet.doc
Sample Problems: Force of Friction Sample Problems 1 and 2.pptx
Assignment: Force of Friction Worksheet.doc
Lab: Coefficient of Friction Experiment.doc
Assignment: P.142-144 #s 90-94, 104-106
Extra-Credit Assignment: Sir Isaac Newton Extra-Credit Assignment.doc
Sir Isaac Newton Extra-Credit Assignment Answers.doc
Test Review: Newton's Laws of Motion Test Review.doc
Test: Newton's Law of Motion Test.doc
Content Expectations:
P1.1A
P1.1B
P1.1C
P1.1D
P1.1E
P1.1f
P1.1g
P1.1h
P1.1i
P1.2A
P1.2C
P1.2D
P1.2E
P1.2f
P1.2g

P2.1g

P3.1A
P3.1d
P3.2A
P3.2C
P3.2d
P3.3A
P3.3b
P3.3c
P3.4A
P3.4B
P3.4C
P3.6B
P3.6C

P1.2h
P1.2i
P1.2j
P1.2k