8. Applications of Newton's Second Law

• Course Home
• Syllabus
• Introduction to Mechanics

  • 1. Units and Dimensional Analysis
  • 2. Problem Solving and Estimation
• Mathematics: The Language of Science

  • 3. Cartesian Coordinates and Vectors
• Translational Kinematics

  • 4. One-Dimensional Kinematics and Free Fall
  • 5. One-Dimensional Kinematics: Non-Constant Acceleration
  • 6. Two-Dimensional Kinematics
• Force and Newton's Laws of Motion

  • 7. Concept of Force
  • 8. Applications of Newton's Second Law
• Circular Motion

  • 9. Circular Motion Kinematics
  • 10. Circular Motion Dynamics
• Conservation of Energy

  • 11. Work and Energy
  • 12. Work and the Dot Product
  • 13. Potential Energy
  • 14. Application of Energy Conservation
  • 15. Mechanical Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
• Momentum

  • 16. Momentum and Impulse
  • 17. Systems, Center of Mass, and Conservation of Momentum
  • 18. Collision Theory
  • 19. Continuous Mass Flow
• Two-Dimensional Rotational Motion

  • 20. Two-Dimensional Rotational Kinematics
  • 21. Two-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics
  • 22. Torque and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
  • 23. Static Equilibrium
• Angular Momentum

  • 24. Angular Momentum
  • 25. Conservation of Angular Momentum
• Rotation and Translation

  • 26. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Kinematics
  • 27. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Dynamics
• Central Force Motion

  • 28. Central Force Motion and the Kepler Problem
• Download Course Materials

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Learning Objectives

• Be able to distinguish how acceleration and force appear in Newton’s 2^nd law.
• Analyze problems involving the motion of one or more objects using Newton’s Second Law. This includes being able to:
  • identify the objects that will constitute the system that is being analyzed
  • identify the forces exerted on the system by other objects
  • identify internal forces between the objects inside the system
  • determine the net force by vector addition of forces
  • choose a coordinate system for each object based on the specific situation in the problem
  • apply Newton’s 2^nd law for the given situation to each object
• Be able to predict (using Newton’s 2^nd law) if the acceleration of the system is constant or not.

Preparation

Course Notes

Notes: Newton's Laws of Motion (PDF - 4.9MB)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Chapter 4.2-4.6, 5.1-5.3. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Lecture Video

Video Excerpts

Learning Activities

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Newton's Second Law (PDF - 1.0MB)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 13.1MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

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Help Session 2

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/force-and-newtons-laws-of-motion/applications-of-newtons-second-law/help-session-2/QERr1drv7NE.srt'}

Help Session 3

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/force-and-newtons-laws-of-motion/applications-of-newtons-second-law/help-session-3/6pW_uMbtQgM.srt'}

Help Session 4

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/force-and-newtons-laws-of-motion/applications-of-newtons-second-law/help-session-4/9MUlHocI-50.srt'}

Help Session 5

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/force-and-newtons-laws-of-motion/applications-of-newtons-second-law/help-session-5/jJp1uMXc7vg.srt'}

Help Session 6

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/force-and-newtons-laws-of-motion/applications-of-newtons-second-law/help-session-6/6feY9XGSiMw.srt'}

Related Resources

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try these:

• Try out a couple interactive simulations from PhET:
  • Lunar Lander
  • Projectile Motion
• Read about Newton's Second Law in HyperPhysics from Georgia State University

 

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