Sumer Vaid 1

Professor Birons Physics 13100

Physics Homework Assignment 2

Question 1
i)
By Newtons Second Law:
(

ii)

Therefore, by Newtons second law:

Hence,
According to Newtons Third Law, let
Therefore,

Therefore,

Also,
Hence,
Finally,

At upper edge of the rope:

At the bottom edge of the rope:

Question 2:
a) Four scenarios:
If the y-acceleration is positive (if the elevator is accelerating upwards)
then: The normal force exerted by the elevator floor on the weighing
scale increases, which then exerts a greater force on the person.
Therefore, FN =mg+ma, hence the apparent weight on the weighing scale
will appear greater.
If the y-acceleration is negative (if the elevator is accelerating
downwards) then: The normal force exerted by the elevator on the
weighing scale decreases, which then exerts a lesser force on the person.
Therefore, FN =mg ma, hence the apparent weight on the weighing scale
will appear lesser.
If the elevator is moving downwards and slowing down, the result will be
the same as the case with positive acceleration apparent weight will
appear greater than the true weight.
If the elevator is moving upwards and slowing down, the result will be the
same as the case with negative acceleration apparent weight will appear
to be lesser than the true weight.
b) Since the scale and the person will fall together in free fall, there will be
no contact force resulting in the weighing scale showing 0 weight.
Question 3
a) According to the diagram:
Therefore,
Hence, shown
b) The double derivative of displacement with
respect to time is equivalent to the acceleration. Hence:

Hence, shown
c) Diagram 1 (box):
Normal force

Weight = mg

Sumer Vaid 3
Professor Birons Physics 13100

Diagram 2 (wedge):

Normal force
exerted by floor
(

Normal force exerted by box

Weight = Mg+ mg
d) The only horizontal force acting on the block is the horizontal component
of the normal force,
.
Therefore,
Also, the vertical component of the normal force,
, is acting
opposite to the weight of the box
The difference between these forces
should yield the net vertical force acting on the box. Hence:
.
For the wedge:
Total vertical force experienced by the wedge
=0=
(no vertical movement of the wedge, hence vertical f=0)
Total horizontal force experienced by the wedge=
, caused
because of the horizontal component of the normal force acting from the box.
From Part B, we also know that
Upon solving this system of equations algebraically, the following expression for
N is obtained:

Therefore, finally:

e) If M is much bigger than m, the wedge does not displace as a the acceleration
caused by the force calculated in the previous section is negligible.

Question 4
a) Radius of the circular path
Circumference of the path =

hence,
Also,

Hence,

b)

R sin
Weight = mg

Sumer Vaid 5
Professor Birons Physics 13100

c)

Hence,

Therefore,

e) I) No the bead cant achieve vertical equilibrium at the centre of the circle
since then the positive force acting on the bead will be completely
horizontal, pointing towards the centre of the loop. Since there will be no
perpendicular vertical force to balance out the weight of the bead, it will
not be able to enter vertical equilibrium.
Mathematically put:
At the center of the loop,
This implies that
but this is not possible as g can never be 0.
ii) If the ball stays at rest at the bottom:

Therefore,

Hence, if the mathematical condition of

bottom.

is satisfied, the ball will stay at the