The force that act on the object are

balanced in all direction.

The force cancel each other, so that

the resultant force or net force is zero.

Newtons Third Law of motion states

that to every action there is an equal
but opposite reaction.

Is a single force that represents the

combined effect of 2 or more forces in
magnitude and direction.

F1 = 8 N
F2 = 3
N

F2 = 3 N

F1 = 8 N

F = 11 N

F=5N

F2

F1

F2

F2

F2

F1

F1

F1

F2

F2

F1

F1

F1

The tail of
F2 F1connecting to
the tip of F2

b) 2 perpendicular forces
F
2
F1

i.

Using parallelogram law

F
2

F2
F1

i.

F1

Using Pythagoras Theorem

Resultant force, F = (F1) + (F2)

tan = F2
F1

1.

Find the resultant force for the two

forces as shown in figure 1.
8N

120
12 N
Figure 1

Answer : F = 10.6 N at angle of 41

2.

Samy and Heng Gee pull a crate with

force of 70 N and 90 N respectively.
Find the resultant force on the crate
due to these two forces.
Samy
F2 = 70
Ns

70 N

Heng Gee
F1 = 90 N

90 N

Answer :
Resultant force, F = 114 N

tan = 0.7778
= 37.9

A single force can be resolved into 2

perpendicular components.
F

Fy

Fx

Fy = F sin

Fx = F cos

Fx = F cos ( Fx / F = cos )
Fy = F sin
( Fy / F = sin )

1.

A tourist is pulling a bag with a force

of 12 N at an angle 60 to the
horizontal floor. What is the horizontal
and vertical components of the force?
Answer :
12 N
Fy
Fx = 6 N
Fy = 10.4 N
Fx

Santhiran pulls a 5 kg crate on the floor

with a force of 35 N.
Find the horizontal component of the
force.
If the crate is moving with constant
velocity, what is the friction against the
crate.
If the friction against the box is 8 N, what
is the acceleration of the crate?

2.

35 N
25

Answer :
Fx = 31.72 N
Friction : 31.72 N
a = 4.7 ms-2

ANALYSING FORCES IN
EQUILIBRIUM
2 types:
Object in equilibrium on an inclined
plane.

A.

If the object is at rest.

II. If the object is moving on a smooth
inclined plane.
I.

B.

Three forces in equilibrium.

ANALYSING FORCES IN EQUILIBRIUM

Object in equilibrium on an inclined plane.

A.

If the object is at rest.

I.

Normal reaction

friction

mg sin
mg

mg cos

The net force perpendicular to the plane = 0

Normal reaction mg cos = 0

F normal = mg cos

The net force parallel to the plane = 0

Frictional force mg sin = 0

F friction = mg sin

If the object is moving on a smooth

inclined plane, vertical component of
the forces are balanced but the force
down the plane is not balanced.

II.

Normal reaction
Motion
a

mg sin
mg

friction

F net = ma
mg sin = ma
a = g sin

mg cos

Example

A carton of mass 5 kg is at rest on an inclined

plane making an angle of 15 with the horizontal.
Find the frictional force and the normal force
acting on the carton.
Normal reaction
friction
mg sin

15
mg mg cos

Answer :
F friction = 12.9 N
Normal force = 48.3 N

B.

Three forces in equilibrium

B
A

Problem involving 3 forces in equilibrium

can be solving using :
i.

Resolution of forces

ii.

Total force to the left = total force to the right

Total force upward = total force downward

Drawing a closed tail- to tip ( triangle method)

Example

A 12 kg mass is suspended from a hook in the

ceiling. The object is pulled aside by a horizontal
string and makes an angle of 45 with the
horizontal. Find the tension in both string.
T1 sin
T1
T1 cos 45

45

12 kg

Answer :
T1 = 169.7 N
T2 = 120 N

T2

mg

1.
2.
2)

Lift ( refer the notes)

Pulley system
Pulley system
A frictionless pulley serves to change the direction of a
force
Have 2 types :
i. A force pulling a mass over a pulley
In this situation, the tension, T is equal to the pulling
force, F even if the rope is slanting.
ii. A pulley with 2 masses.
The heavier mass will accelerate downwards while the
lighter one will accelerate upwards at the same rate.
The tension is not equal to the weight of either mass.

Example pulley system

A 5 kg mass is used to accelerate a 3 kg block

along a table as shown in figure1. The friction
between the table and the block is 10 N.
Assuming that the pulley is smooth and the
string is of negligible mass, find
The acceleration of the system
The tension in the string
a
3kg

Answer :
a = 5 ms-2
T = 25 N

a
5 kg