Lecture 12: Dynamics of

Particles

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Recall:
Systems at equilibrium include
Bodies at rest
Bodies moving at constant velocity
σ 𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 = 𝟎 ; σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, σ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
Newton’s Second Law: Dynamics of Particles

෍ 𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 = 𝒎𝒂
σ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 , σ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦
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Problem solving tips
Always start with the free-body diagram.

Identify the axis and label all the forces.

Identify the components of force vectors along

the 𝑥-axis and along the 𝑦-axis.

Set-up the equation independently for each axis.

If you have the equations, solve what is being

asked.
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Dynamics problems involve
Newton’s second law.
The systems have net force not equal to zero.
෍ 𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 = 𝒎𝒂

σ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 , σ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦
Note: 𝒎𝒂 is not a force and does not belong in
FBDs.

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Sample Problem 1: Young and Freedman
An iceboat is at rest on a perfectly frictionless horizontal
surface. A wind is blowing so that after 4.0s after the
iceboat is released, at attains a velocity of 6.0m/s. What
constant horizontal force FW does the wind exert on the
iceboat? The mass of the iceboat and the rider is 200kg.

Given:
t = 4.0s
v0 = 0
vf =6.0m/s
mT = 200kg

Unknown: Fw
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How do we know when to
use 1st or 2nd Law?

Is there an acceleration in x-
axis? In y-axis?

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 Step 3: Write equations of motion
using Newton’s Law

෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑛 + −𝑚𝑔 = 0

෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐹𝑤 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
- therefore, we need to get ax to know Fw 
since acceleration is constant:
𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡
𝑣𝑥 − 𝑣0𝑥
𝑎𝑥 =
𝑡
6.0𝑚/𝑠 − 0
𝑎𝑥 = = 1.5𝑚/𝑠 2
4.0𝑠
𝐹𝑤 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 200𝑘𝑔 1.5𝑚/𝑠 2 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝑵
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Sample Problem 2: Young and Freedman
Suppose a constant horizontal friction with magnitude
100N opposes the motion of the iceboat. In this case,
what constant FW must the wind exert on the iceboat to
cause the same constant acceleration ax= 1.5m/s2?

Given:
mT = 200kg
ax = 1.5m/s2
f = 100N

Unknown: Fw

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 Step 1: Dissect

Given:
m = 200kg
f= 100N
ax =1.5m/s2

Required:
1. Fw (Force wind)

with acceleration:
෍ 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎Ԧ

σ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 , σ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦

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 Step 2: FBD
Normal force

due to friction
due to wind

gravitational force

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 Step 3: Write equations of motion
using Newton’s Law

෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥

෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹𝑤 + (−𝑓) = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐹𝑤 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝑓

Substituting the known values:

𝐹𝑤 = 200𝑘𝑔 1.5𝑚/𝑠 2 + 100𝑁
𝑭𝒘 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑵
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Sample Problem 3: Young and Freedman
An air glider with mass m1 moving on a level, frictionless
air track. The glider is connected to a lab weight with
mass m2 by light, flexible, non-stretching string that
passes over a small frictionless pulley. Find the
acceleration of the body and the tension in the string in
terms of m1 and m2.

Are the acceleration of m1

and m2 related?

Which of the two affects the

acceleration? Which is proportional?
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Given:
m1
m2
Frictionless air track

Required:
1.a in m1 and m2
2. T

There is acceleration:
Use σ 𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 = 𝒎𝒂
σ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 ,
෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦 15
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𝑎1𝑥 = 𝑎2𝑦 = 𝑎

෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑇 = 𝑚1 𝑎1𝑥 = 𝑚1 𝑎

෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑛 + −𝑚1 𝑔 = 0
no acceleration in y for mass 1 (glider)

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𝑎1𝑥 = 𝑎2𝑦 = 𝑎

෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚𝑎𝑦
෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝑚2 𝑔 + −𝑇 = 𝑚2 𝑎2𝑦 = 𝑚2 𝑎

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with x-component of the summation of forces:

𝑇 = 𝑚1 𝑎
𝑚2 𝑔 − 𝑇 = 𝑚2 𝑎

2 equations, 2 unknowns, just to the math 

𝑚2 𝑔 = 𝑚1 𝑎 + 𝑚2 𝑎
𝑚2 𝑔 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑎

𝒎𝟐 𝒈 𝒎𝟐 𝒎𝟏 𝒈
𝒂= 𝑻=
𝒎𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐 𝒎 𝟏 + 𝒎𝟐

The greater m2, the greater the tension acceleration!

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A car of mass m is on an icy driveway inclined at an
angle θ. Determine the acceleration assuming that
the driveway is frictionless.

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A ball of mass m1 and a block of mass m2 are attached
by a lightweight cord that passes over a frictionless
pulley of negligible mass as shown in the figure below.
The block lies on a frictionless incline of an angle θ.
Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the two
objects and the tension in the cord.

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