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Give the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on (a) a drop of rain falling down with a constant speed, (b) a cork of mass 10 g floating on water, (c) a kite skillfully held stationary in the sky, (d) a car moving with a constant velocity of 30 km/h on a rough road, (e) a high-speed electron in space far from all material objects, and free of electric and magnetic fields.
(a) Zero net force
The rain drop is falling with a constant speed. Hence, it acceleration is zero. As per Newton’s second law of motion, the net force acting on the rain drop is zero.
(b) Zero net force
The weight of the cork is acting downward. It is balanced by the buoyant force exerted by the water in the upward direction. Hence, no net force is acting on the floating cork.
(c) Zero net force
The kite is stationary in the sky, i.e., it is not moving at all. Hence, as per Newton’s first law of motion, no net force is acting on the kite.
(d) Zero net force
The car is moving on a rough road with a constant velocity. Hence, its acceleration is zero. As per Newton’s second law of motion, no net force is acting on the car.
(e) Zero net force
The high speed electron is free from the influence of all fields. Hence, no net force is acting on the electron.
A pebble of mass 0.05 kg is thrown vertically upwards. Give the direction and magnitude of the net force on the pebble, (a) during its upward motion, (b) during its downward motion, (c) at the highest point where it is momentarily at rest. Do your answers change if the pebble was thrown at an angle of 45° with the horizontal direction? Ignore air resistance.
0.5 N, in vertically downward direction, in all cases
Acceleration due to gravity, irrespective of the direction of motion of an object, always acts downward. The gravitational force is the only force that acts on the pebble in all three cases. Its magnitude is given by Newton’s second law of motion as:
F = m × a
Where,
F = Net force
m = Mass of the pebble = 0.05 kg
a = g = 10 m/s2
∴F = 0.05 × 10 = 0.5 N
The net force on the pebble in all three cases is 0.5 N and this force acts in the downward direction.
If the pebble is thrown at an angle of 45° with the horizontal, it will have both the horizontal and vertical components of velocity. At the highest point, only the vertical component of velocity becomes zero. However, the pebble will have the horizontal component of velocity throughout its motion. This component of velocity produces no effect on the net force acting on the pebble.
One end of a string of length l is connected to a particle of mass m and the other to a small peg on a smooth horizontal table. If the particle moves in a circle with speed v the net force on the particle (directed towards the centre) is : (i) T, (ii) l mv T 2 − , (iii) l mv +T 2 , (iv) 0 T is the tension in the string. [Choose the correct alternative].
(i) When a particle connected to a string revolves in a circular path around a centre, the centripetal force is provided by the tension produced in the string. Hence, in the given case, the net force on the particle is the tension T, i.e.,
F = T = 
Where F is the net force acting on the particle.
A constant retarding force of 50 N is applied to a body of mass 20 kg moving initially with a speed of 15 m s-1. How long does the body take to stop ?
Retarding force, F = –50 N
Mass of the body, m = 20 kg
Initial velocity of the body, u = 15 m/s
Final velocity of the body, v = 0
Using Newton’s second law of motion, the acceleration (a) produced in the body can be calculated as:
F = ma
–50 = 20 × a
Using the first equation of motion, the time (t) taken by the body to come to rest can be calculated as:
v = u + at
= 6 s
A constant force acting on a body of mass 3.0 kg changes its speed from 2.0 m s-1 to 3.5 m s-1 in 25 s. The direction of the motion of the body remains unchanged. What is the magnitude and direction of the force ?
0.18 N; in the direction of motion of the body
Mass of the body, m = 3 kg
Initial speed of the body, u = 2 m/s
Final speed of the body, v = 3.5 m/s
Time, t = 25 s
Using the first equation of motion, the acceleration (a) produced in the body can be calculated as:
v = u + at
As per Newton’s second law of motion, force is given as:
F = ma
= 3 × 0.06 = 0.18 N
Since the application of force does not change the direction of the body, the net force acting on the body is in the direction of its motion.
A body of mass 5 kg is acted upon by two perpendicular forces 8 N and 6 N. Give the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of the body.
2 m/s2, at an angle of 37° with a force of 8 N
Mass of the body, m = 5 kg
The given situation can be represented as follows:
The resultant of two forces is given as:
θ is the angle made by R with the force of 8 N
The negative sign indicates that θ is in the clockwise direction with respect to the force of magnitude 8 N.
As per Newton’s second law of motion, the acceleration (a) of the body is given as:
F = ma
The driver of a three-wheeler moving with a speed of 36 km/h sees a child standing in the middle of the road and brings his vehicle to rest in 4.0 s just in time to save the child. What is the average retarding force on the vehicle ? The mass of the three-wheeler is 400 kg and the mass of the driver is 65 kg.
Initial speed of the three-wheeler, u = 36 km/h = 10 m/s
Final speed of the three-wheeler, v = 0 m/s
Time, t = 4 s
Mass of the three-wheeler, m = 400 kg
Mass of the driver, m' = 65 kg
Total mass of the system, M = 400 + 65 = 465 kg
Using the first law of motion, the acceleration (a) of the three-wheeler can be calculated as:
v = u + at
The negative sign indicates that the velocity of the three-wheeler is decreasing with time.
Using Newton’s second law of motion, the net force acting on the three-wheeler can be calculated as:
F = Ma
= 465 × (–2.5) = –1162.5 N
The negative sign indicates that the force is acting against the direction of motion of the three-wheeler.
A rocket with a lift-off mass 20,000 kg is blasted upwards with an initial acceleration of 5.0 m s-2. Calculate the initial thrust (force) of the blast.
Mass of the rocket, m = 20,000 kg
Initial acceleration, a = 5 m/s2
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 10 m/s2
Using Newton’s second law of motion, the net force (thrust) acting on the rocket is given by the relation:
F – mg = ma
F = m (g + a)
= 20000 × (10 + 5)
= 20000 × 15 = 3 × 105 N
A truck starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 2.0 m s-2. At t = 10 s, a stone is dropped by a person standing on the top of the truck (6 m high from the ground). What are the (a) velocity, and (b) acceleration of the stone at t = 11s ? (Neglect air resistance.)
(a) 22.36 m/s, at an angle of 26.57° with the motion of the truck
(b) 10 m/s2
(a) Initial velocity of the truck, u = 0
Acceleration, a = 2 m/s2
Time, t = 10 s
As per the first equation of motion, final velocity is given as:
v = u + at
= 0 + 2 × 10 = 20 m/s
The final velocity of the truck and hence, of the stone is 20 m/s.
At t = 11 s, the horizontal component (vx) of velocity, in the absence of air resistance, remains unchanged, i.e.,
vx = 20 m/s
The vertical component (vy) of velocity of the stone is given by the first equation of motion as:
vy = u + ayδt
Where, δt = 11 – 10 = 1 s and ay = g = 10 m/s2
∴vy = 0 + 10 × 1 = 10 m/s
The resultant velocity (v) of the stone is given as:
Let θ be the angle made by the resultant velocity with the horizontal component of velocity, vx
= 26.57°
(b) When the stone is dropped from the truck, the horizontal force acting on it becomes zero. However, the stone continues to move under the influence of gravity. Hence, the acceleration of the stone is 10 m/s2 and it acts vertically downward.
A bob of mass 0.1 kg hung from the ceiling of a room by a string 2 m long is set into oscillation. The speed of the bob at its mean position is 1 m s-1. What is the trajectory of the bob if the string is cut when the bob is (a) at one of its extreme positions, (b) at its mean position
(a) Vertically downward
(b) Parabolic path
(a) At the extreme position, the velocity of the bob becomes zero. If the string is cut at this moment, then the bob will fall vertically on the ground.
(b)At the mean position, the velocity of the bob is 1 m/s. The direction of this velocity is tangential to the arc formed by the oscillating bob. If the bob is cut at the mean position, then it will trace a projectile path having the horizontal component of velocity only. Hence, it will follow a parabolic path.
3 A man of mass 70 kg stands on a weighing scale in a lift which is moving (a) upwards with a uniform speed of 10 m s-1, (b) downwards with a uniform acceleration of 5 m s-2, (c) upwards with a uniform acceleration of 5 m s-2. What would be the readings on the scale in each case? (d) What would be the reading if the lift mechanism failed and it hurtled down freely under gravity ?
(a) Mass of the man, m = 70 kg
Acceleration, a = 0
Using Newton’s second law of motion, we can write the equation of motion as:
R – mg = ma
Where, ma is the net force acting on the man.
As the lift is moving at a uniform speed, acceleration a = 0
∴R = mg
= 70 × 10 = 700 N
∴Reading on the weighing scale = 
(b) Mass of the man, m = 70 kg
Acceleration, a = 5 m/s2 downward
Using Newton’s second law of motion, we can write the equation of motion as:
R + mg = ma
R = m(g – a)
= 70 (10 – 5) = 70 × 5
= 350 N
∴Reading on the weighing scale = 
(c) Mass of the man, m = 70 kg
Acceleration, a = 5 m/s2 upward
Using Newton’s second law of motion, we can write the equation of motion as:
R – mg = ma
R = m(g + a)
= 70 (10 + 5) = 70 × 15
= 1050 N
∴Reading on the weighing scale = 
(d) When the lift moves freely under gravity, acceleration a = g
Using Newton’s second law of motion, we can write the equation of motion as:
R + mg = ma
R = m(g – a)
= m(g – g) = 0
∴Reading on the weighing scale = 
The man will be in a state of weightlessness.
Two masses 8 kg and 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a light inextensible string that goes over a frictionless pulley. Find the acceleration of the masses, and the tension in the string when the masses are released.
The given system of two masses and a pulley can be represented as shown in the following figure:
Smaller mass, m1 = 8 kg
Larger mass, m2 = 12 kg
Tension in the string = T
Mass m2, owing to its weight, moves downward with acceleration a,and mass m1 moves upward.
Applying Newton’s second law of motion to the system of each mass:
For mass m1:
The equation of motion can be written as:
T – m1g = ma … (i)
For mass m2:
The equation of motion can be written as:
m2g – T = m2a … (ii)
Adding equations (i) and (ii), we get:
… (iii)
Therefore, the acceleration of the masses is 2 m/s2.
Substituting the value of a in equation (ii), we get:
Therefore, the tension in the string is 96 N.
A nucleus is at rest in the laboratory frame of reference. Show that if it disintegrates into two smaller nuclei the products must move in opposite directions.
Let m, m1, and m2 be the respective masses of the parent nucleus and the two daughter nuclei. The parent nucleus is at rest.
Initial momentum of the system (parent nucleus) = 0
Let v1 and v2 be the respective velocities of the daughter nuclei having masses m1 and m2.
Total linear momentum of the system after disintegration = 
According to the law of conservation of momentum:
Total initial momentum = Total final momentum
Here, the negative sign indicates that the fragments of the parent nucleus move in directions opposite to each other.
Two billiard balls each of mass 0.05 kg moving in opposite directions with speed 6 m s-1 collide and rebound with the same speed. What is the impulse imparted to each ball due to the other ?
Mass of each ball = 0.05 kg
Initial velocity of each ball = 6 m/s
Magnitude of the initial momentum of each ball, pi = 0.3 kg m/s
After collision, the balls change their directions of motion without changing the magnitudes of their velocity.
Final momentum of each ball, pf = –0.3 kg m/s
Impulse imparted to each ball = Change in the momentum of the system
= pf – pi
= –0.3 – 0.3 = –0.6 kg m/s
The negative sign indicates that the impulses imparted to the balls are opposite in direction.
Explain why (a) a horse cannot pull a cart and run in empty space, (b) passengers are thrown forward from their seats when a speeding bus stops suddenly, (c) it is easier to pull a lawn mower than to push it, (d) a cricketer moves his hands backwards while holding a catch.
(a) In order to pull a cart, a horse pushes the ground backward with some force. The ground in turn exerts an equal and opposite reaction force upon the feet of the horse. This reaction force causes the horse to move forward.
An empty space is devoid of any such reaction force. Therefore, a horse cannot pull a cart and run in empty space.
(b) When a speeding bus stops suddenly, the lower portion of a passenger’s body, which is in contact with the seat, suddenly comes to rest. However, the upper portion tends to remain in motion (as per the first law of motion). As a result, the passenger’s upper body is thrown forward in the direction in which the bus was moving.
(c) While pulling a lawn mower, a force at an angle θ is applied on it, as shown in the following figure.
The vertical component of this applied force acts upward. This reduces the effective weight of the mower.
On the other hand, while pushing a lawn mower, a force at an angle θ is applied on it, as shown in the following figure.
In this case, the vertical component of the applied force acts in the direction of the weight of the mower. This increases the effective weight of the mower.
Since the effective weight of the lawn mower is lesser in the first case, pulling the lawn mower is easier than pushing it.
(d) According to Newton’s second law of motion, we have the equation of motion:
Where,
F = Stopping force experienced by the cricketer as he catches the ball
m = Mass of the ball
Δt = Time of impact of the ball with the hand
It can be inferred from equation (i) that the impact force is inversely proportional to the impact time, i.e.,
Equation (ii) shows that the force experienced by the cricketer decreases if the time of impact increases and vice versa.
While taking a catch, a cricketer moves his hand backward so as to increase the time of impact (Δt). This is turn results in the decrease in the stopping force, thereby preventing the hands of the cricketer from getting hurt.
Give the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on a stone of mass 0.1 kg, (a) just after it is dropped from the window of a stationary train, (b) just after it is dropped from the window of a train running at a constant velocity of 36 km/h, (c ) just after it is dropped from the window of a train accelerating with 1 m s-2, (d) lying on the floor of a train which is accelerating with 1 m s-2, the stone being at rest relative to the train. Neglect air resistance throughout.
(a)1 N; vertically downward
Mass of the stone, m = 0.1 kg
Acceleration of the stone, a = g = 10 m/s2
As per Newton’s second law of motion, the net force acting on the stone,
F = ma = mg
= 0.1 × 10 = 1 N
Acceleration due to gravity always acts in the downward direction.
(b)1 N; vertically downward
The train is moving with a constant velocity. Hence, its acceleration is zero in the direction of its motion, i.e., in the horizontal direction. Hence, no force is acting on the stone in the horizontal direction.
The net force acting on the stone is because of acceleration due to gravity and it always acts vertically downward. The magnitude of this force is 1 N.
(c)1 N; vertically downward
It is given that the train is accelerating at the rate of 1 m/s2.
Therefore, the net force acting on the stone, F' = ma = 0.1 × 1 = 0.1 N
This force is acting in the horizontal direction. Now, when the stone is dropped, the horizontal force F,' stops acting on the stone. This is because of the fact that the force acting on a body at an instant depends on the situation at that instant and not on earlier situations.
Therefore, the net force acting on the stone is given only by acceleration due to gravity.
F = mg = 1 N
This force acts vertically downward.
(d)0.1 N; in the direction of motion of the train
The weight of the stone is balanced by the normal reaction of the floor. The only acceleration is provided by the horizontal motion of the train.
Acceleration of the train, a = 0.1 m/s2
The net force acting on the stone will be in the direction of motion of the train. Its magnitude is given by:
F = ma
= 0.1 × 1 = 0.1 N
A body of mass 0.40 kg moving initially with a constant speed of 10 m s-1 to the north is subject to a constant force of 8.0 N directed towards the south for 30 s. Take the instant the force is applied to be t = 0, the position of the body at that time to be x = 0, and predict its position at t = –5 s, 25 s, 100 s.
Mass of the body, m = 0.40 kg
Initial speed of the body, u = 10 m/s due north
Force acting on the body, F = –8.0 N
Acceleration produced in the body, 
(i) At t = –5 s
Acceleration, a' = 0 and u = 10 m/s
= 10 × (–5) = –50 m
(ii) At t = 25 s
Acceleration, a'' = –20 m/s2 and u = 10 m/s
(iii) At t = 100 s
For 
a = –20 m/s2
u = 10 m/s
= –8700 m
For 
As per the first equation of motion, for t = 30 s, final velocity is given as:
v = u + at
= 10 + (–20) × 30 = –590 m/s
Velocity of the body after 30 s = –590 m/s
For motion between 30 s to 100 s, i.e., in 70 s:
= –590 × 70 = –41300 m
∴Total distance, 
= –50000 m
Figure 5.16 shows the position-time graph of a particle of mass 4 kg. What is the (a) force on the particle for t < 0, t > 4 s, 0 < t < 4 s? (b) impulse at t = 0 and t = 4 s ? (Consider one-dimensional motion only).
(a) For t
It can be observed from the given graph that the position of the particle is coincident with the time axis. It indicates that the displacement of the particle in this time interval is zero. Hence, the force acting on the particle is zero.
For t > 4 s
It can be observed from the given graph that the position of the particle is parallel to the time axis. It indicates that the particle is at rest at a distance of
3 m from the origin. Hence, no force is acting on the particle.
For 0 t
It can be observed that the given position-time graph has a constant slope. Hence, the acceleration produced in the particle is zero. Therefore, the force acting on the particle is zero.
(b) At t = 0
Impulse = Change in momentum
= mv – mu
Mass of the particle, m = 4 kg
Initial velocity of the particle, u = 0
Final velocity of the particle, 
∴Impulse 
At t = 4 s
Initial velocity of the particle, 
Final velocity of the particle, v = 0
∴ Impulse 
Two bodies of masses 10 kg and 20 kg respectively kept on a smooth, horizontal surface are tied to the ends of a light string. A horizontal force F = 600 N is applied to (i) A, (ii) B along the direction of string. What is the tension in the string in each case?
Horizontal force, F = 600 N
Mass of body A, m1 = 10 kg
Mass of body B, m2 = 20 kg
Total mass of the system, m = m1 + m2 = 30 kg
Using Newton’s second law of motion, the acceleration (a) produced in the system can be calculated as:
F = ma
When force F is applied on body A:
The equation of motion can be written as:
F – T = m1a
∴T = F – m1a
= 600 – 10 × 20 = 400 N … (i)
When force F is applied on body B:
The equation of motion can be written as:
F – T = m2a
T = F – m2a
∴T = 600 – 20 × 20 = 200 N … (ii)
A shell of mass 0.020 kg is fired by a gun of mass 100 kg. If the muzzle speed of the shell is 80 m s-1, what is the recoil speed of the gun ?
Mass of the gun, M = 100 kg
Mass of the shell, m = 0.020 kg
Muzzle speed of the shell, v = 80 m/s
Recoil speed of the gun = V
Both the gun and the shell are at rest initially.
Initial momentum of the system = 0
Final momentum of the system = mv – MV
Here, the negative sign appears because the directions of the shell and the gun are opposite to each other.
According to the law of conservation of momentum:
Final momentum = Initial momentum
mv – MV = 0
A batsman deflects a ball by an angle of 45° without changing its initial speed which is equal to 54 km/h. What is the impulse imparted to the ball ? (Mass of the ball is 0.15 kg.)
The given situation can be represented as shown in the following figure.
Where,
AO = Incident path of the ball
OB = Path followed by the ball after deflection
∠AOB = Angle between the incident and deflected paths of the ball = 45°
∠AOP = ∠BOP = 22.5° = θ
Initial and final velocities of the ball = v
Horizontal component of the initial velocity = vcos θ along RO
Vertical component of the initial velocity = vsin θ along PO
Horizontal component of the final velocity = vcos θ along OS
Vertical component of the final velocity = vsin θ along OP
The horizontal components of velocities suffer no change. The vertical components of velocities are in the opposite directions.
∴Impulse imparted to the ball = Change in the linear momentum of the ball
Mass of the ball, m = 0.15 kg
Velocity of the ball, v = 54 km/h = 15 m/s
∴Impulse = 2 × 0.15 × 15 cos 22.5° = 4.16 kg m/s
A stone of mass 0.25 kg tied to the end of a string is whirled round in a circle of radius 1.5 m with a speed of 40 rev./min in a horizontal plane. What is the tension in the string ? What is the maximum speed with which the stone can be whirled around if the string can withstand a maximum tension of 200 N ?
Mass of the stone, m = 0.25 kg
Radius of the circle, r = 1.5 m
Number of revolution per second, 
Angular velocity, ω = 
The centripetal force for the stone is provided by the tension T, in the string, i.e.,
Maximum tension in the string, Tmax = 200 N
Therefore, the maximum speed of the stone is 34.64 m/s.
If, in Exercise 5.21, the speed of the stone is increased beyond the maximum permissible value, and the string breaks suddenly, which of the following correctly describes the trajectory of the stone after the string breaks : (a) the stone moves radially outwards, (b) the stone flies off tangentially from the instant the string breaks, (c) the stone flies off at an angle with the tangent whose magnitude depends on the speed of the particle
(b) When the string breaks, the stone will move in the direction of the velocity at that instant. According to the first law of motion, the direction of velocity vector is tangential to the path of the stone at that instant. Hence, the stone will fly off tangentially from the instant the string breaks.
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