Physics 250

Homework 3, solutions

Giancoli, Chapter 5

P32 Blocks accelerating on a table, accelerating at a x=5.2m/s2

a) Free-body diagrams (note: an applied force is needed, and is asked for in part d anyway):

FN1 FN2
Fs
FApp
m1=4.0kg Fs m2=12.0kg

Fg1 FN1 Fg2

(note the FN1 action-reaction pair, as per Newton's third law).

a) Minimum coefficient of friction

FNety1=0=FN1-Fg1

Hence FN1=Fg1=m1g

FNetx1=m1ax1=Fs=*FN1=*m1g

Hence =ax/g=(5.2m/s2)/(9.80m/s2)=0.53

The coefficient of friction must be at least 0.53 between the blocks for the blocks to accelerate together
without slipping.

b) If  is half value, 0.27, what is the acceleration of m1?

FNetx1=m1ax1=Fs=*FN1=*m1g

ax1=*g=0.27*9.80m/s2=2.6m/s2

1
(interpretation: since the coefficient of friction is half, the normal force, and subsequently the frictional
force accelerating the block is also half. Hence the block's acceleration is also half)

c) Acceleration with respect to 12.0kg block

a=ax1-ax2=2.6m/s2-5.2m/s2=-2.6m/s2

d) Force needed

While one could shortcut the first part of this by treating the two masses as one, it is unadvisable,
especially since you'd need to re-derive the equations for the second part anyway. Instead, we will get a
general solution first, and then just apply it with the conditions of parts a) and b).

As always (after the FBDs from the beginning), start with Newton's second law. This time, for object 2.

FNetx2=m2ax2=FApp-Fs

FApp=m2ax2+Fs

We've had an expression for Fs already, since it is the same in magnitude as for object 1 (recall Newton's
third law)

Fs=*FN1

FN1 can be obtained the same way as before:

FNety1=0=FN1-Fg1

Hence FN1=Fg1=m1g

Substituting in, we get the general solution:

FApp=m2ax2+Fs= m2ax2+*FN1= m2ax2+* m1g

Now substitute in for conditions for part a) and then b)

a) FApp= m2ax2+* m1g=12.0kg*5.2m/s2+0.53*4.0kg*9.80m/s2=83N

(Note, since the derivation of  came from the acceleration of block 1 also as 5.2m/s2, this equation is
mathematically equivalent to treating the two objects as a single 16.0kg object)

b) FApp= m2ax2+* m1g=12.0kg*5.2m/s2+0.27*4.0kg*9.80m/s2=73N

(Note that this is mathematically also equivalent to adding up forces to accelerate the 12.0kg mass by
5.2m/s2 PLUS the 4.0kg mass by 2.6m/s2)

2
P47 Jet in a loop

We'll draw two FBDs, one for the pilot at the bottom of the loop, and one at the top.

FN
Pilot

Pilot
Fg FN

Fg
As a precaution, we'll already convert the speed to m/s.

v=1200km/h*1000m/km*1h/3600s=333m/s. (this is near the speed of sound)

Now apply Newton's second law. We'll take +y to be up. Note that this means the direction of
acceleration is + at the bottom of the loop, and - at the top of the loop.

a. Bottom of the loop at 6.0 g (note, g here means gravitational acceleration, 9.80m/s 2).

ac=v2/r=6.0*g

r=v2/(6.0*g)=(333m/s)2/(6.0*9.80m/s2)=1900m

b. The "weight" the pilot feels is the normal force by the seat. Apply Newton's second law. Note
that FN does NOT equal Fg! They need to add up to Fc.

FNet=ma=FN-Fg=mac

FN=Fg+mac=78kg*9.8m/s2+78kg*6.0*9.80m/s2=5350N

(the pilot is feeling seven times his/her own weight!!!)

c. For the "weight" at the top of the loop, use the second FBD to set up Newton's second law.
(remember now acceleration, and the forces are downwards. Hence all the negative signs)

3
FNet=ma= -FN -Fg= mac = -mv2/r

Algebraically solving:

FN=mac - Fg=78kg*6.0*9.80m/s2 - 78kg*9.8m/s2= 3800N

(the pilot, at the same speed, is still experiencing five times his/her own weight!)

P58 Banking curve without skid

A front-on FBD would be (similar to Fig. 5-24, but with static friction helping over-speeding):

FN
y
Acceleration

m

Fs x
Fg

We are told that the curve is properly banked if the car travels at 65km/h (=18m/s if you do the
conversion. The high speed 95km/h=26m/s), i.e. the horizontal component of the normal force in that
case provides the centripetal acceleration alone, without the need for friction.

(as you can imagine, you can start by following Example 5-15 for the first part, re-deriving the banking
angle)

FyNet=may=0=FNCos-mg

where the angle is between the horizontal and the road, or, equivalently, the vertical and F N (see Fig. 5-
24).

FN=mg/Cos

In the horizontal direction, the net acceleration must be that of centripetal acceleration:

FxNet=max=mv2/r=FNSin

substituting in for the normal force:

4
mv2/r=( mg/Cos )Sin

You can solve for the angle

Tan=v2/(r*g) (the same as example 5-15)

Plugging in numbers, Tan=(18m/s)2/(85m*9.80m/s2)=0.39, or =21.37 degrees (quite steep).

Now you must add in friction.

We must re-derive our vertical equation for the new normal force:

FyNet=may=0=FNCos-FsSin-mg

Using the definition of static friction, then :

Fs=sFN

FN=mg/(Cos-sSin)

In the horizontal direction, we must still equate the net acceleration to the centripetal acceleration.

FxNet=max=mv2/r=FNSin+FsCos=FN(Sin+sCos)=mg(Sin+sCos)/(Cos-sSin)

Doing some algebraic re-arrangement, we get our final answer:

s=(Cosv2/r- gSin) / (gCos+Sinv2/r)=(Cos21o * (26m/s)2/85m - (.80m/s2 Sin21o)/(9.80m/s2 Cos21o +

Sin21o (26m/s)2/85m)=0.33

Katz, Chapter 6

53. Disk and mass on a rope. As always, start with free body diagrams for each body. The FBD for the
disk is shown edge-on.

FT FN,m
+y
FT
M m
+x
+y

Fg,m
Fg,M

5
Assumed given are M, m, R, and FT. We need to find vucm (speed of uniform circular motion) for the disk.

Let's start with the mass M, since it's easier. It is at rest, so ay,M=0. Apply Newton's second law:

FNet,y,M=0=FT-Fg,M

Fg,M=FT, hence

FT=M*g

Now for the small mass m, our only concern is the tension causing the necessary centripetal
acceleration.

FNet,x,m=m*ac=m*vucm2/R=FT

Substituting in for FT, and solving algebraically for the speed:

vucm=squareroot(M*g*R/m) (or vucm=squareroot(FT*R/m) according to the book, because they were

too lazy to make the substitution)

CP1: Blocks on pulley, with one on an incline

Read the problem, underline important variables, draw, and set up the sensible coordinate systems FOR
EACH body.

6
Free-body diagrams:
FT,AB FN,B
FN,A
+y +y
FT,AB
mA +x mB
Fk,A FT,BC
+x
Fk,B
Fg,A Fg,B

FT,BC

+y

Fg,C

Note I set up +y down for mass C.

As always, follow with vector components as necessary. In this case, FgA for Mass A needs components.

 Fg,Ay
Fg,A

Fg,Ax

7
Note that FgAy will be in the negative direction from FN (see - sign later when applying NEWTON'S
SECOND LAW!).

FgAy=FgACos

FgAx=FgASin

a. Acceleration.

Note that because the masses are connected by an unstretching cord, the magnitude of their
acceleration will be the same. Let aA,x=a, and hence aB,x =a AND ac,y=a. (mind the coordinate systems)

We are ready to set up Newton's second law. Remember, you must have separate equations for each
the x and y dimensions, and for each object. Also, problems involving friction need an expression for the
normal force for the relevant object and surface involved. I will substitute in the accelerations already as
detailed above.

FNet,A,y= 0 = FN,A-Fg,A,y

FNet,A,x=mA*a = FTAB - Fg,A,x - Fk,A [Eq1]

FNet,B,y= 0 = FN,B-Fg,B

FNet,B,x=mB*a = FT,BC - FTAB - Fk,B [Eq2]

FNet,C,y=mc*a=Fg,C - FT,BC [Eq3]

As with all problems involving friction, we need to find an expression for the normal force, and then plug
it in for the frictional force. From the above equations:

FN,A = Fg,A,y= mAgCos

and hence the first equation becomes: mA*a = FT - mAgSin - k* mAgCos

and for the friction on mass B

FN,B = Fg,B= mBg

At this point it's all algebra. Add [Eq1] [Eq2] [Eq3] together.

mA*a+ mB*a+ mC*a= Fg,C- Fg,A,x - Fk,A- Fk,B

Substituting in for the F expressions, and collecting,

8
a= (mC*g-mA*g*Sin-k*mA*g*Cos-k*mB*g)/ (mA+ mB+ mC)

Interpretation: Note that the internal forces, the tensions in strings AB and BC disappear, as they
should. In terms of Newton's Second Law, the acceleration is proportional to the net outside force. For
this system it is due to the "forward" pull by mass C, and retarded by the friction on masses A and B, as
well as the x component of the gravitational force on mass A. The acceleration is also inversely
proportional to the combined inertia of the system, which is the sum of the masses.