Teach A Level Maths

Connected Particles
and Newton’s 3rd Law
Volume 4: Mechanics 1
Connected Particles and
Newton’s 3rd Law
e.g.1. The diagram shows 2 particles, A and B,
each of mass 3 kg, connected by a string which runs
over a fixed pulley.
The particles are held at rest.

What will happen if the

particles are released.
A
B
The particles remain at rest. 3g
3g
( The extra weight due to the longer string on the
side of B is very small and balanced by the
friction at the pulley. )
e.g.1. The diagram shows 2 particles, A and B,
each of mass 3 kg, connected by a string which runs
over a fixed pulley.
We make the following modelling
assumptions when we solve
problems:
T
• The string is light (no weight), A T
and inextensible (it doesn’t
B
stretch). 3g
• The pulley is smooth so the 3g
tension in the string is the same throughout.
Since the forces on A and B are the same, it is not
possible for B to accelerate downwards and A upwards.
Suppose now that A has mass 4 kg
whilst B still has mass 3 kg.
A has the greater mass so it will
accelerate downwards.
The particles are joined T
together so the magnitude of A T a
the acceleration is the same a B
4g
3g
for B. 3g

To find the values of a and T, we use Newton’s 2nd

Law on each particle separately.
 N2L:
Resultant force = mass  acc.
A: 4g - T = 4a - - - - (1)
T
B: There
Tip: We - 3g2resolve
It’s Talways
usually
are =
easier
3a to
unknowns-in- -so
- (2) A T a
wetheneed
substitute direction
for g atof
another the
the end of
equation a
Adding the equations will B
the acceleration.
question.
before wewe
cancan
solve. 4g
eliminate T and then 3g
solve for a.
 N2L:
Resultant force = mass  acc.
A: 4g - T = 4a - - - - (1)
T
B: T - 3g = 3a - - - - (2) A T a
(1) + (2): a B
4g
3g
 N2L:
Resultant force = mass  acc.
A: 4g - T = 4a - - - - (1)
T
B: T - 3g = 3a - - - - (2) A T a
(1) + (2): g a B
4g
3g
N2L:
Resultant force = mass  acc.
A: 4g - T = 4a - - - - (1)
T
B: T - 3g = 3a - - - - (2) A T a
(1) + (2): g = 7a a B
g 4g
 a = 7 3g
g = 9·8  a = 1·4 m s -2
Substitute in (2): T = 3a + 3g
 T = 3  1·4 + 3  9·8
 T = 33·6 newtons
 T T
The force on the pulley due to
the string is 2T downwards. T
A T a
a
 T = 33·6 newtons B
4g
3g

 Force on pulley = 2T = 67.2 newtons

Connected particles hanging over a smooth peg

act in the same way as over a pulley.
e.g.2. A particle, A, of mass 0·6 kg, is held at rest
on a smooth table. A is connected by a light,
inextensible string, which passes over a smooth fixed
pulley at the edge of the table, to another particle,
B, of mass 0·4 kg hanging freely.
The string is horizontal and
at right angles to the edge
A of the table.
A is released. Find
(a) the magnitude of the
reaction of the table on A,
B (b) the acceleration of the
system
(c) the tension in the string, and
(d) the force on the pulley due to the particles.
 a
R
A: mass 0·6 kg A T
B: mass 0·4 kg

0·6g T
a
B
Solution: 0·4g
N2L: Resultant force = mass  acceleration
(a) Find R.
A: R - 0·6g = 0  R = 0·6g - - - - (1)
A accelerates R = 5·88 newtons
horizontally, so there is )
( 3 s.f.
(b) Find a.
no vertical component0·6a
of acceleration.
A: T = - - - - (2)
B: 0·4g - T = 0·4a - - - - (3)
 a
R
A: mass 0·6 kg A T
B: mass 0·4 kg

0·6g T
a R = 5·88
B N
0·4g
(b) Find a. T = 0·6a - - - - (2)
0·4g - T = 0·4a - - - - (3)
(2) + (3): 0·4g = a  a = 0·4  9·8
 a = 3·92 m s -2
(c) Find T.
Substitute in (2): T = 0·6  3·92
 T = 2·35 newtons ( 3 s.f. )
 a T
R
A: mass 0·6 kg A T
B: mass 0·4 kg T

0·6g T
a = 3·92 m s -2 a
B
T = 2·35 N
0·4g
(d) Find the force on the pulley due to the particles.
Since the 2 forces are equal, the T 45
resultant lies between them, at
an equal angle to each. F T
F = Tcos45 + Tcos45
= 2Tcos45  F = 3·33 newtons ( 3 s.f. )
e.g.3. The diagram shows 2 equal scale pans, A and B,
each of mass 200 g, connected by a light inelastic
string hanging over a smooth pulley.

A pebble, C, of mass
300 g is placed in B and
the system starts to
C move.
A B
Find
(a) the acceleration of the system
(b) the reaction on B due to C.
 A and B: mass 200 g
C: mass 300 g

B and C act as one body T T

so we can show the weight C
a a
of the two together. A B
(a) Find a.
0·2g 0·5g
Solution:
N2L: Resultant force = mass  acceleration
A: T - 0·2g = 0·2a
B + C: 0·5g - T = 0·5a
Adding: 0·3g = 0·7a
 a = 4·2
The system accelerates at 4·2 m s -2
 A and B: mass 200 g
a = 4·2
C: mass 300 g
(b) Find the reaction on T T
B due to C. C
a a
A B
0·2g 0·5g

Newton’s 3rd Law says that when 2 bodies

interact the force on each due to the other has
the same magnitude but in the opposite direction.
So, the force on B due to C has the same magnitude
We will draw the forces acting on the pebble, C.
as the force on C due to B.
Solution: a = 4·2
Forces on C
C
T T a
C a R
a A B
0·3g
0·2g 0·5g
To find R: N2L: Resultant force = mass  acc.
C: 0·3g - R = 0·3  4·2
 0·3  9·8 - 0·3  4·2 = R
 R = 1·68
Using Newton’s 3rd Law we can say that the force on
B due to C is 1·68 newtons downwards.
 EXERCISE

1. Two particles, A and B, of mass 0·5 kg and 0·9 kg

respectively, are connected by a light
inextensible string passing over a fixed, smooth
pulley.
The particles are released from rest. Find
(a) the acceleration of the particles,
(b) the magnitude of the tension in the string, and
(c) the magnitude of the force on the pulley due to
the particles.
(a) Find the acceleration

A: mass 0·5 kg T
B: mass 0·9 kg A T a
a B
0·5g
Solution: 0·9g
N2L: Resultant force = mass  acceleration
A: T - 0·5g = 0·5a - - - - - (1)
B: 0·9g - T = 0·9a - - - - - (2)
(1) + (2):  0·4g = 1·4a  a = 2·8 m s -2
(b) Find the magnitude of
the tension in the T T
string
A: mass 0·5 kg T
B: mass 0·9 kg A T a
a
a = 2·8 m s -2 0·5g
B

Solution:
0·9g
(b) T - 0·5g = 0·5a - - - - - (1)
Substitute for a: T = 0·5  2·8 + 0·5  9·8
 T = 6·3 newtons
(c) Find the force on the pulley due to the particles.
F = 2T = 12·6 newtons
 EXERCISE
2. A particle, A, of mass 2 kg rests on a smooth
plane inclined at 30 to the horizontal.
The particle is connected by a
light inextensible string
A
passing over a smooth, fixed
pulley at the top of the plane B
30
to a particle B of mass 0·4 kg
hanging freely.
Show that A slides down the plane with an
acceleration of magnitude 2·45 m s -2.
 EXERCISE
Show that A slides down the plane with an acceleration
of magnitude 2·45 m s -2.

A: mass 2 kg R T
B: mass 0·4 kg a
A T a
B
2g
30 0·4g
Solution:
N2L: Resultant force = mass  acceleration
A: 2g sin 30 - T = 2a - - - - - (1)
B: T - 0·4g = 0·4a - - - - - (2)
(1) + (2):  g - 0·4g = 2·4a
0·6g = a 
a = 2.45 m s -2
2·4
When connected particles hanging over a peg or pulley
start to move they have a constant acceleration
( provided the forces remain constant ).
We can use the equations of motion for constant
acceleration to find, for example, the velocity when
the time or displacement is given.
We can use any of the equations but the most useful
are:
v = u + at and v2 = u2 + 2as
e.g.4. Two small blocks, A of mass 2 kg and B of
mass 3 kg, are connected by a light, inextensible
string which runs over a smooth pulley as shown in
the diagram. The blocks are held at rest.

B rests on a smooth
plane at 30 to the
A B horizontal and A is
1
30 1 m above the ground.

(a) Find the acceleration when the blocks are released

from rest.
 a
A: mass 2 kg T T R
a
B: mass 3 kg A B
1 2g 3g 30

(a) Find the acceleration when the blocks are released

from rest.
We aren’t told which direction
Solution: N2L: Resultant force = mass  acceleration
the blocks move. If I choose
A: 2g - Tit =won’t
wrongly 2a -matter
- - - - (1)- the
B: 3g sin 30 = 3a
T - acceleration will- be
- - -negative.
- (2)
(1) + (2):  2g - 1·5g = 5a
 0·1g = a  a = 0·98 m s -2
 a
A: mass 2 kg T T R
a
B: mass 3 kg A B
1
a = 0·98 m s -2 2g 3g 30

(b) Find the velocity of A when it reaches the ground.

= u 2 + 2as
Decide with yourv 2partner which of the equations
for from
Blocks start constant acceleration
rest, so u = 0 you would use.
 v 2 = 2  0·98  1
 v = 1·4 m s -1
A: mass 2 kg T T
1·4 R
B: mass 3 kg A B
1
1
a = 0·98 m s -2 A 3g 30

(b) Find the velocity of A when it reaches the ground.

v 2 = u 2 + 2as
Blocks start from rest, so u = 0
 v 2 = 2  0·98  1
 v = 1·4 m s -1
 T R
A: mass 2 kg 1·4
B a1
B: mass 3 kg
3g 1
1
a = 0·98 m s -2 T
A 30
v = 1·4 m s -1
(c) Assuming B does not reach the pulley, find the
total distance up the plane that B travels before it
first comes to rest.
Decide with goes
The string your slack
partner whattension
so the factorsdisappears.
determine
how B moves after A reaches the ground.
B will slow down with a negative acceleration
caused by the component of its weight.
 R
A: mass 2 kg 1·4
B a1
B: mass 3 kg
3g 1
1
A 30
u
v = 1·4 m s -1
(c) Assuming B does not reach the pulley, find the
total distance up the plane that B travels before it
first comes to rest.
N2L: Resultant force = mass  acceleration
B: - 3g sin 30 = 3a1 - - - - - (4)
 a1 = -0·5g
v2 = u2 + 2as  0 = 1·4 2 + 2(-0·5g)s
 s = 0·2 m
Be careful here. u is now 1·4 and v is 0.
B travels a total of 1·2 m up the plane.
 SUMMARY
 For particles connected by a string passing over
a pulley or peg, we assume that
• the pulley or peg is smooth which makes the
tensions equal on either side,
• the string is light and inextensible giving a
constant acceleration.
 We solve problems by using Newton’s 2nd Law for
each particle separately.
 The equations of motion for constant acceleration
can be used.
 If one particle reaches the ground, or the string
breaks, the tension disappears and the other
particle continues to move but with a different
acceleration ( which may be negative ).
The following page contains the summary in a form
suitable for photocopying.
TEACH A LEVEL MATHS – MECHANICS 1

CONNECTED PARTICLES AND NEWTON’S 3RD LAW

Summary
 For particles connected by a string passing over a pulley or peg, we
assume that
• the pulley or peg is smooth which makes the tensions equal on either
side,
• the string is light and inextensible giving a constant acceleration.
 We solve problems by using Newton’s 2nd Law for each particle
separately.
 The equations of motion for constant acceleration can be used.
 If one particle reaches the ground, or the string breaks, the tension
disappears and the other particle continues to move but with a different
acceleration ( which may be negative ).