Chapter 4

Forces and Newtons

Laws of Motion

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

Definition of Equilibrium
An object is in equilibrium when it has zero acceleration.

Fx = 0

!
F
!

=0

e.g. brick at rest on a table

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

Reasoning Strategy to solve equilibrium

problems
Select an object(s) to which the equations of equilibrium are
to be applied.
Draw a free-body diagram for each object chosen above.
Include only forces acting on the object, not forces the object
exerts on its environment.
Choose a set of x, y axes for each object and resolve all forces
in the free-body diagram into components that point along these
axes.
Apply the equations and solve for the unknown quantities.

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

Example. Find the magnitude of F if the system is in equilibrium.

Fy = 0

!
!F

=0

+ T1 sin 35 ! T2 sin 35 = 0
+ T1 cos 35 + T2 cos 35 ! F = 0

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

The y-equation tells us that T1 = T2 = T

Using this in the x-equation and solving for F,
F = 2T cos 35o
But what is T ?

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

T
T

!F

= 0 = T - mg
T = mg

mg
Free body diagram for the
hanging mass

F = 2T cos 35o = 2mg cos 35o = 2(2.2)(9.8)cos 35o = 35 N

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

Example. An automobile engine has a

weight which is W = 3150 N. The engine
is being positioned as in the figure. Find
the tensions T1 and T2 in equilibrium.

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

Force

r
T1
r
T2
r
W

x component

! T1 sin 10.0o

+ T2 sin 80.0o
0

y component

+ T1 cos10.0
! T2 cos 80.0

!W

W = 3150 N

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

"
"F

Fx = ! T1 sin 10.0o + T2 sin 80.0o = 0

= + T1 cos10.0 ! T2 cos 80.0 ! W = 0

The first equation gives

& sin 80.0o #

!T
T1 = $$
o ! 2
% sin 10.0 "

Substitution into the second gives

' sin 80.0o $

o
o
%%
"
T cos10.0 ! T2 cos 80.0 ! W = 0
o " 2
& sin 10.0 #

4.11 Equilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

T2 =

W
' sin 80.0o $
o
o
%%
"
cos
10
.
0
!
cos
80
.
0
o "
sin
10
.
0
&
#

T2 = 582 N

T1 = 3.30 !10 N

4.12 Nonequilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

When an object is accelerating, it is not in equilibrium.

Fx = ma x

Fy = ma y

4.12 Nonequilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

Example. A supertanker of mass m = 1.50 x 108 kg is being towed by

two tugboats. The tensions in the towing cables apply the forces T1
and T2 at equal angles of 30.0o with respect to the tankers axis. In
addition, the tankers engines produce a forward drive force D, whose
magnitude is D = 75.0 x 103 N. Moreover, the water applies an opposing
force R, whose magnitude is R = 40.0 x 103 N. The tanker moves
forward with an acceleration that points along the tankers axis and
has a magnitude of 2.00 x 10-3 m/s2. Find the magnitudes of the
tensions T1 and T2.

4.12 Nonequilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

m = 1.50 x 108 kg

R = 40.0 x 103 N

ax = 2.00 x 10-3 m/s2

D = 75.0 x 103 N

ay = 0

4.12 Nonequilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

Force

r
T1
r
T2
r
D
r
R

x component

y component

o
+ T1 cos 30.0o + T1 sin 30.0

+ T2 cos 30.0o ! T2 sin 30.0o

+D

!R

4.12 Nonequilibrium Application of Newtons Laws of Motion

"F

= + T1 sin 30.0 ! T2 sin 30.0 = 0

"

T1 = T2 = T

Fx = + T1 cos 30.0o + T2 cos 30.0 + D ! R = max

= ma x

ma x + R " D
5
T=
=
1
.
53
!
10
N
o
2 cos 30.0

Example. Block 1 (mass m1 = 8.00 kg) is moving on a 30.0o incline with

a coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and incline of 0.300.
This block is connected to block 2 (mass m2 = 22.0 kg) by a massless
cord that passes over a massless and frictionless pulley. Find the
acceleration of each block and the tension in the cord.

fk

fk
fk

m1 = 8.00 kg

m2 = 22.0 kg
Find a, T and T

k = 0.300

Block 1:
Fx = -fk - W1 sin 30.0o + T = m1a

fk

Fy = FN - W1 cos 30.0o = 0 FN = W1 cos 30.0o

Block 2:
Fy = T - W2 = m2(-a)
We also know:
T = T since the pulley and cord are massless
fk = kFN = km1g cos 30.0o = (0.300)(8.00)(9.80)(0.866) = 20.4 N

Equations were left with to solve for a and T:

-fk - W1 sin 30.0o + T = m1a
T - W2 = -m2a

T = W2 - m2a

Substituting for T in the first equation:

-fk - W1 sin 30.0o + W2 - m2a = m1a
a = (-fk - W1 sin 30.0o + W2)/(m1 + m2)
= (-20.4 - (8.00)(9.80)(0.500) + (22.0)(9.80))/(8.00 + 22.0)
= 5.20 m/s2
T = W2 - m2a = (22.0)(9.80) - (22.0)(5.20) = 101 N

11.2 Pressure

Pressure, P, is defined as the

force, F, per unit area, A.

F
P=
A
SI Unit of Pressure: 1 N/m2 = 1Pa

Pascal

11.2 Pressure

Example 2 The Force on a Swimmer

Suppose the pressure acting on the back
of a swimmers hand is 1.2x105 Pa. The
surface area of the back of the hand is
8.4x10-3m2.
(a) Determine the magnitude of the force
that acts on it.
(b) Discuss the direction of the force.

11.2 Pressure

F
P=
A

)(

F = PA = 1.2 !105 N m 2 8.4 !10 "3 m 2

= 1.0 !103 N

Since the water pushes perpendicularly

against the back of the hand, the force
is directed downward in the drawing.

11.2 Pressure

Atmospheric Pressure at Sea Level: 1.013x105 Pa = 1 atmosphere