Newton's L. - equation/formula

  • Thread starter rfurtado
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In summary, to find the mass of the object, you must take into account both the applied force and the frictional force, and use the equation F=ma to calculate the net force on the object. Once you have the net force, you can then use the equation m=f/a to solve for the mass. In this conversation, the net force was found to be 0.2N, which resulted in a mass of 1.8 kg.
  • #1
rfurtado
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Homework Statement


Because of a frictional force of 2.6N, a force of 2.8N must be applied to a textbook in order to slide it along the surface of a wooden table. The book accelerates at a rate of 0.11 m/s

a) What is the unbalanced force on the book?
b) What is the mass of the book?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



The frictional force of 2.6 has anything to do with the equation F=ma to find the mass? If yes, what is the equation?
 
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  • #2
rfurtado said:

The Attempt at a Solution



The frictional force of 2.6 has anything to do with the equation F=ma to find the mass? If yes, what is the equation?

Yes, it does, because 'F' in that equation refers to the NET force on the body (also referred to as the unbalanced force in your homework problem). To calculate the net force, you must consider the applied force and the frictional force, adding them together (taking into account their directions).
 
  • #3
Oh ok. So you mean that I need to add (the regular addition or in any other way?) the frictional force which is 2.6 and the force of 2.8, and then finish with the regular equation to find the mass?
 
Last edited:
  • #4
No, obviously not just regular addition. Like I said before, you have to take into account the directions of the forces! The applied force is trying to move the textbook in one direction, eg. to the right. The frictional force is trying to oppose that motion (it points to the left). The two forces are *opposite*, so one of them partly balances out (ie cancels out) the other. The remaining part (which is the NET force acting on the object) is the only thing that is left to actually move the object. Since you know that the acceleration value given in the problem must be due to this "leftover" force, you can deduce the mass of the object.
 
  • #5
Now I think I got it =) well, I did the equation and got .2N as the remaining force, then I did the regular equation to find the mass.

m= ? ========> m=f/a ==> m=.2/.11= 1.8 kg
a= .11 m/s
f= .2N
 

Related to Newton's L. - equation/formula

1. What is Newton's L. - equation/formula?

Newton's L. - equation/formula, also known as Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, is a mathematical formula that describes the force of gravity between two objects. It states that the force of gravity is directly proportional to the product of the masses of the objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. Who created Newton's L. - equation/formula?

Isaac Newton, an English physicist and mathematician, is credited with creating Newton's L. - equation/formula in his seminal work "Principia Mathematica" published in 1687.

3. What are the units for Newton's L. - equation/formula?

The units for Newton's L. - equation/formula depend on the system of measurement used. In the metric system, the units for force is Newtons (N), the units for mass is kilograms (kg), and the units for distance is meters (m). In the imperial system, the units for force is pounds (lbs), the units for mass is slugs (sl), and the units for distance is feet (ft).

4. How is Newton's L. - equation/formula used in real life?

Newton's L. - equation/formula has many real-life applications, including predicting the motion of planets and satellites, designing rockets and spacecraft, and understanding the behavior of objects in free fall. It also helps explain the phenomenon of tides and the orbits of moons around planets.

5. What are some limitations of Newton's L. - equation/formula?

Newton's L. - equation/formula has some limitations, including being limited to objects with mass and not accounting for the effects of relativity. It also assumes that the objects are point masses and that the force of gravity is the only force acting between them. In extreme conditions, such as near a black hole or at the atomic level, other equations, such as Einstein's theory of general relativity, may be needed to accurately describe the force of gravity.

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