Hi, I’m Akshita Mapari. I have done M.Sc. in Physics. I have worked on projects like Numerical modeling of winds and waves during cyclone, Physics of toys and mechanized thrill machines in amusement park based on Classical Mechanics. I have pursued a course on Arduino and have accomplished some mini projects on Arduino UNO. I always like to explore new zones in the field of science. I personally believe that learning is more enthusiastic when learnt with creativity. Apart from this, I like to read, travel, strumming on guitar, identifying rocks and strata, photography and playing chess.
Newton’s third law of motion states that “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”
When one object exerts a force on another object, the reaction force equal in magnitude but opposite in direction is felt on the body of the object applying the force. Here is a list of Newton’s third law of motion examples that we are going to discuss in this topic:-
Riding Horse
The horse rides using its muscular force which is felt on the horse rider’s body.
As more muscular force is utilized by the horse, the horse rider is pushed in the upward direction due to the reaction force.
Trigger the Bullet
On pulling the trigger the force is incident on the bullet that accelerates the bullet in the forward direction. At the same time, the reaction force is exerted backward creating the impact force on the hand.
Bouncing Ball
As the ball bounces on the ground, the potential energy of the ball is again converted into kinetic energy due to the reaction force equal in magnitude felt on the ball by the ground as it imposes the force on the ground.
Hence, the ball bounces till the force applied by the ball on the ground becomes zero.
American Handball
A ball is thrown on the wall and it bounces back. The ball exerts a force on a wall and the equal force is felt on the ball that pushes it back.
Tennis Racket
As the tennis ball strikes the net of the racket, the force exerted on the racket is also felt on the hand, but the reaction force applied by the hand is greater than the ball to throw the ball in the forward direction.
Drawing Water from Well
A pulley is used to draw the water from the well that changes the direction of the force applied thus reducing the effort of muscular force required. The force is applied to pull the rope in a downward direction, the bucket moves in an upward direction.
Balancing Scale
On putting a weight in one pan of the weight measuring scale, it moves downward while the other pan of the scale moves in an upward direction.
The direction of the force applied on the pan which is full is downward and the reaction force on the other pan is in the upward direction.
Swimmer
A swimmer in a pull pushes his body to accelerate by touching his feet on the wall of a pool.
The greater the force applied on a wall, the more he will push his body forward to get a speed in the water.
Rocket Launch
To lift the weight of a body from the surface of the Earth a thrust is generated. This thrust must be enough the lift the rocket away from the Earth’s atmosphere sufficiently to cancel the gravitational pull of the Earth.
The action is the acceleration of the rocket while the reaction force is a trust applied on the ground.
Whistle Balloon
The whistle sound is heard as the air escapes from the balloon. If the air is escaping towards the ground, the balloon will move in the upward direction. In the end, when the volume of air left in the balloon is less, the direction of the path of the balloon is changed rigorously as its center of gravity varies.
Accident
The two fast moving cars when hit on each other, the cars will impose a force on each other, in response to it, both the cars will jerk back due to the equal reaction force acting on both the cars. The kinetic energy of the cars will be nullified and come to a rest.
Walking
While walking we actually apply a force on one foot while simultaneously lifting the other leg forward.
Newton’s third law makes it possible for us to walk. It is also true that the frictional force plays a vital role. The frictional force is applied on the foot while walking that holds up our foot in the place.
Drone
To lift the drone model, the trust is applied on the ground and the change in speed and direction is handled by the amount of voltage supplied to each motor of the drone by controlling it remotely.
The trust applied downward makes it possible to fly the drone in the air.
Stepping on Land from the Boat
While landing out from the boat, you apply a force on the floor of a boat that is still in a boat to push your body forward to step on the ground. The reactive force pushes the boat in the backward direction.
Skiing
To push the body forward, the skier applied the force in the backward direction with the help of a stick in his hand.
Hence, to come to a rest the skier has to apply the force in the forwarding direction to resist the motion of the skiing board.
Throwing a Stone into the Water
Upon throwing the stone in the water, the water will be thrown upward due to the impact that the stone creates on the water.
Gravitational Force between Earth and Moon
The gravitational force exerted on the Earth by the Moon is equal to the gravitational force exerted by the Earth on the Moon.
The gravitational force is the force due to gravity between each object which is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction
Magnetic Force between Two Bar Magnets
Each bar magnet exerts equal and opposite magnetic force on each other. As the distance between the two increases the magnetic force between the two decreases whether it is an attractive force or a repulsive force.
Catching the Ball
You must have observed that the fielder on a cricket ground pulls his hands a little down while catching the ball.
This is to reduce the force imposing on the hand as the ball falls from the height and also to minimize the equal and opposite force that might cause the ball to bounce back from the hand.
Boxer Punching on a Sandbag
The equal force is felt on the hand of a boxer punching on a sandbag and hence it is diverted towards the boxer.
Hammering
While hammering a nail, as you put a force on a nail the reaction force in response will be felt on the hammer and thus it lifts up.
The frictional force is created due to the hammering which generates the heat energy and even the radiant energy if the frictional force is large enough.
Row the Boat
To row the boat forward, you push the water backward.
You applied the force backward and in response, the force is exerted on the boat to push it in the forward direction.
Pushing the Object
Suppose you are pushing the heavy load by applying the push force in the forward direction then at the same time the restive force in the form of a frictional force is acting on the surface of the object that is in contact with another surface acting backward direction.
Newton’s Cradle
The force applied on the stationary bob from one bob of the cradle at one end transfers the momentum to the rest of the bobs, lifting the bob at another end of the cradle.
The reaction force is felt from this same bob in the opposite direction lifting the bob on the first end of the cradle back into the air and the process continues till the bobs are bought to the rest.
Magma Formation
The surface of the Earth’s crust that submerges beneath the crust is converted into magma back again under great pressure and temperature conditions.
Frictional Force on the Tire of a Car
The force that controls the motion of a car and prevents it from slipping is frictional force.
As the car accelerates the frictional force is exerted on the tires of a car in the opposite direction. The frictional force is in correspondence with the mass and the acceleration of a car.
Pulling a Rubber Belt
Upon pulling the rubber belt tying on the waist, the elastic potential force will be generated in the belt that will backward of your motion.
At a distance where the potential energy built in a belt becomes large, it will pull you back with a great force.
Spring
If you put a force on the spring by pressing it, the spring potential energy is built up in a spring that is converted into kinetic energy upon releasing the pressure by acting the reaction force in the opposite direction.
Trampoline
The force that you put while jumping on the trampoline will put an equal force on your body throwing your body in the opposite direction upward.
The force is exerted due to the elastic surface of the trampoline. The higher you jump more force will be imposed on the trampoline and the higher will your body will be raised in the air.
Jumping
While jumping you apply the force on the ground by your feet to push your body up. This generates an equal and opposite reaction.
As the fruit dashes the ground it bounces back due to the reaction force exerted on the fruit by the ground.
Tug of War
In the game of tug of war, the players from both sides apply the force in response to the opposition forces.
The force applied by the player is in the direction opposite to the force applied by the opponent. Due to this, the tensional force is generated in the rope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is conserved in the application of Newton’s third law of motion?
The reaction force exerted on the body is equal in magnitude.
The momentum of the object is conserved when the object imposes a force on the other object.
Do books kept on the tables follows Newton’s third law?
The stack of books applies a force on the table.
The direction of the force by the books on the table is acting downward while an equal amount of force is exerted on the books by the table in the upward direction to resist the force by the book.
How does the bow apply Newton’s third law?
The bowstring is pulled backward doing thus built potential energy in the string.
Upon releasing the string, the force is imposed on the arrow that gives the energy to the arrow to accelerate.
If the motion of the object is in the two dimensions then it is said to be two dimensional motion.
The rate of velocity of the objects in two dimensional motions is measured in two different components by calculating the rate of change of position in two dimensions. Here is a list of two dimensional motion examples that we are going to discuss here below:-
On kicking the football, it drifts high up in the air in the projectile motion.
The motion of the ball is vertically as well as horizontally which is in two dimensions. The ball will cover the maximum distance if it is kicked at a 45-degree angle.
Swing
The swing oscillates to and fro motion. The swing is at a maximum height above the ground when it reaches the two endpoints from the point of the rest position.
Hence the motion of a swing is in horizontal as well as vertical motion.
Waterfall
The volume of water moves in a linear motion, till it reaches the cliff and then takes a parabolic curvilinear motion while changing the direction of its motion and falling vertically downward.
Here, the water moves in two dimensions to make a fall in the basin.
Slider
While sliding on a slider, the motion of the body is in a forward direction as well as downward reducing the height of the body above the ground.
The potential energy acquired by the body raised at a height is converted into kinetic energy. The body tends to remain in the state of motion until the opposite force is exerted on the body by the ground.
Airplane Taking a Flight
The airplane moves at an angle of 45 degrees with the ground initially while taking a flight in the air.
The motion of the airplane is in the forward direction as well as vertically moving up in the air. Enough trust is created on the ground to lift the weight of the plane in the air.
Passing the Ball
While passing the ball to the other player, you drive the ball in the parabolic motion in the air.
The ball moves to convert its kinetic energy into potential energy and attains the maximum potential energy on reaching the highest point in the air. From this point, the ball moves with a horizontal velocity for some distance and then accelerates down by converting potential energy into kinetic energy.
Object in a Circular Motion
Any object accelerating in a circular motion exerts a centripetal force that pulls the object inward. On contrary, the centrifugal force acting on the object is pushing the object in the outward direction. Both these forces help the object to move in a circular path.
The acceleration of the ball is in the forwarding direction but the force pulling the ball in the inward direction makes the circular path trajectory of the ball and hence the motion of the object moving in a circular path is a two dimensional motion.
Long Jump
A player runs for some distance and takes a high leap in the air by applying the force on the ground using her feet.
The equivalent force acting on her body helps her to take a long jump moving in a parabolic path and to cover the maximum distance possible in a leap.
Missile Launcher
As the missile is ignited from the launcher, it moves in a parabolic path towards the target.
The distance at which the missile has to make its fall is adjusted by measuring the angle whereupon releasing it at a corresponding angle will make a throw at the right target area.
Car Climbing on a Hill
A car accelerating on a hill moves in a forward direction as well as with the increasing height of the Car above the plane surface in the vertical direction. The motion of the car is in two directions.
An Object Dropped from the Running Vehicle
When you drop any light-weighted object from the running vehicle, the airflow will drag the object a little backward before it settles on the surface of the ground. If the mass of the object was heavy then it would have directly dumped on the surface but for the observer in the car, it would have appeared that the object has moved backward.
Taking a Leap in a Swimming Pool
A swimmer diving into the swimming pool water takes a leap from the height.
Upon taking a jump the body of the swimmer moves a little forward before accelerating his body vertically downward due to the force of gravity.
Hot Air Balloon Coming Down
As the hot air balloon comes down towards the ground from its flight, it moves in an inclined path in the air.
Hence the motion of the hot air balloon is a two dimensional motion example.
Volleyball
As the player gives a throw to the ball, it moves in a parabolic path.
The ball is accelerated upward and also moves in a forward direction.
Taking a Jump to Cross the Barrier
While taking a jump you apply pressure on your feet to generate the reaction force from the ground to push your body upward to benefit you to take the longest leap to cross the barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
A swimmer taking a leap in a pool standing at a height of 5 meters above the ground and the velocity of the body was 4m/s then how far the distance will he cover from the base?
Given: v=4m/s
h=5m
x=ut+1/2at2
Since the acceleration and the displacement of the body is in the negative y-axis,
x= -5m
a= -9.8 m/s2
u=0
Hence horizontal displacement is
x=vt=4*1.009=4.04m/s2
Which types of motion are two dimensional motions?
If the motion of the object is in two directions it is said to be moving in two dimensions.
The object moving in a projectile motion, centripetal motion, or on the inclined plane, the object possesses two dimensional motion.
The object being in its motion due to the applied force is said to be in a state of motion.
It certainly means that the object is doing some work and is not in its state of rest. The object is moving with a certain velocity in a particular direction of the force applied. The following is a list of state of motion examples that we are going to discuss in this topic:-
Bouncing Ball
The bouncing ball is in a continuous motion moving up and down the ground varying its kinetic and potential energy.
The potential energy of a ball is high when it is raised to the greatest point of its height during bouncing. This potential is converted into kinetic energy and potential energy is the minimum when the ball reaches the ground surface. The ball keeps on bouncing till the energy of the ball becomes zero.
Airplane
The airplane is in a state of motion high in the airways. While taking a flight, the airplane makes enough thrust on the ground to lift its body upward. Here Newton’s third law of motion comes into the picture.
Running
This is also a state of motion and the speed of the person running can be calculated by measuring the distance he covers in a given time.
For running, a person uses a muscular force, and the stored chemical potential energy is converted into kinetic energy while running.
Pulling a Cart
A bull pulling a cart is in a state of motion. The bull applies the muscular force to pull the cart.
In old days bull carts were used to migrate and carry away the load. The force applied by the bull to pull the cart is equal to the acceleration of the cart and the sum of the mass of the cart and the weight loaded on a cart.
Swing
A swing is displaced to a certain angle of oscillation from its resting position to set it in a state of motion.
The relative velocity of a person sitting stable on the swing is the speed of a swing. The angle of oscillation of the swing decreases at every oscillation if no more external force is applied to the swing.
Spinning Top
On giving a spin to the top, it is set into a state of spinning motion. The gyration of the spinning top is in relation to the angle made with the axis of rotation. This angle increases as the point of the gravity due to the moment of inertia of the top diverge away from the symmetrical axis.
Pulley
While drawing water from the well, the frictional force applied on the surface of the pulley by the rope sets the pulley in the state of motion and it accelerates at a rate equal to the rate of pulling the rope.
The pulley helps in reducing the efforts while drawing the water by changing the direction and amount of the force applied.
Satellites Around the Planet
The satellites are continuously rotating around the planet at a constant rate and at a fixed distance. The planet exerts a gravitational pull on the satellite and prevents them from escaping from its orbit of rotation.
Slider
A girl sliding or a slider is in a state of motion.
The sliders are made up of a plane and smooth surface. If the surfaces were rough then the girl would have not to slide due to the frictional force. The frictional force is more in the case of a rough surface.
Playing with Ring
While passing a ring, a ring is in a state of motion. The ring is thrown from one player to another by applying a force by moving a hand at an angle. The acceleration of a ring depends upon the amount of force at which it is thrown in the air.
Ferries Wheel
The ferries wheel is accelerating in a centripetal motion rotating at a fixed axis of rotation. The ferries wheel is accelerating it is said to be in a state of motion.
The potential energy acquired by the body of a passenger at the greatest point on a ferries wheel is the highest which is converted into kinetic energy. Hence while accelerating downward the person feels light in weight and while accelerating in the upward direction against the gravity, the person feels heavier in weight as more force is imposed on the body.
Grinding Coffee
To grind a coffee to a fine powder you rotate the churner.
Hence while grinding the coffee your hands are in a state of cyclic motion.
Slinky Climbing down the Stairs
If you keep a sling on the stairs, it will automatically climb down the steps converting the potential energy into kinetic energy and kinetic energy back to potential energy. Due to the conservation of energy by the slinky this state of motion is possible.
Sawing
For sawing wood, you move your hand back and forth to penetrate the blade through the wood and cut the pieces into halves.
Hence your hands are in a state of motion while sawing.
Typing
While typing your fingers are in a state of motion. Every time you apply a push force to press the button on the keyboard and insert the keys digitally.
Fan
Upon supplying power to the electric fan, it will keep on rotating at a fixed rate.
The state of motion of the fan is defined as the centripetal motion rotating at a constant axis of rotation.
Driving a Car
A car is in a state of linear motion while driving. The energy is supplied to the car by the combustion of the diesel used in the tank of the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is skiing a state of motion?
The relative velocity of a skier with respect to the skiing board is zero.
While skiing the skier is in linear motion and not stable at one point and hence is in a state of motion.
Is standing in a queue a state of motion?
If there is no motion of an object and the object is at a rest then it is not the state of motion.
Standing in a queue without any activity implies there is no motion of a person and hence it is not a state of motion.
Newton’s Second Law of Motion is a fundamental principle in physics that helps us understand how objects move when a force is applied to them. This law, formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century, provides a mathematical relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
Definition of Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Newton’s Second Law of Motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. In simpler terms, it means that the more force you apply to an object, the more it will accelerate, and the heavier the object is, the less it will accelerate for the same force.
Mathematically, this law can be expressed as:
F = m * a
Where:
– F represents the net force acting on the object, measured in Newtons (N).
– m represents the mass of the object, measured in kilograms (kg).
– a represents the acceleration of the object, measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Explanation of the Relationship between Force, Mass, and Acceleration
To understand the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, let’s consider a simple example. Imagine you are pushing a shopping cart with a certain force. If you increase the force you apply, the cart will accelerate more. On the other hand, if you increase the mass of the cart, it will accelerate less for the same force.
This relationship can be further illustrated by examining the equation F = m * a. If we keep the force constant and increase the mass, the acceleration will decrease. Conversely, if we keep the mass constant and increase the force, the acceleration will increase.
For instance, if you push a small car with a force of 100 N, it will accelerate more than if you push a larger car with the same force. Similarly, if you push the same car with a force of 200 N, it will accelerate more than if you push it with 100 N.
In summary, Newton’s Second Law of Motion tells us that the acceleration of an object depends on the force applied to it and its mass. The greater the force or the smaller the mass, the greater the acceleration. Conversely, the smaller the force or the greater the mass, the smaller the acceleration.
Understanding this law is crucial in various fields, including physics, engineering, and sports. It allows us to predict and analyze the motion of objects in real-life scenarios, enabling us to design better vehicles, study the behavior of athletes, and much more. In the following sections, we will explore some practical examples of Newton’s Second Law of Motion in action.
One example that demonstrates Newton’s Second Law of Motion is kicking a football. When a player kicks the ball, they apply a force to it. This force causes the ball to accelerate in the direction of the force applied.
The acceleration of the ball is directly proportional to the force applied and inversely proportional to the mass of the ball. In other words, the greater the force applied, the greater the acceleration of the ball. Similarly, if the mass of the ball is increased, the acceleration will decrease.
To calculate the force applied to the ball, we can use the formula F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass of the ball, and a is the acceleration. By rearranging the formula, we can solve for force: F = ma.
Another example that illustrates Newton’s Second Law of Motion is pushing a table. When you push a table, the displacement of the table is in the direction of the applied force.
The force applied to the table causes it to accelerate in the direction of the force. The acceleration of the table depends on the force applied and the mass of the table. If a greater force is applied, the table will accelerate more. Conversely, if the mass of the table is increased, the acceleration will decrease.
Carrying Shopping Trolley
When you push or pull a shopping trolley, you are applying a force to move it. This is another example of Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
The force applied to the trolley determines its acceleration. If you push the trolley with a greater force, it will accelerate more. On the other hand, if you pull the trolley with a smaller force, it will accelerate less.
It is important to note that there is a difference between push and pull forces. When you push a trolley, the force is applied in the same direction as the motion. However, when you pull a trolley, the force is applied in the opposite direction of the motion.
In the game of carrom, when you strike the striker, it accelerates in the direction it is struck. This example also demonstrates Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
The force applied to the carrom striker determines its acceleration. If you strike the striker with a greater force, it will accelerate more. Conversely, if you strike it with a smaller force, it will accelerate less.
The distance traveled by the carrom striker is directly proportional to the force applied. In other words, the greater the force, the greater the distance traveled by the striker.
Pushing a car is another example that showcases Newton’s Second Law of Motion. When you apply a force to the car, it moves forward in the direction of the force.
The force applied to the car determines its acceleration. If you push the car with a greater force, it will accelerate more. On the other hand, if you push it with a smaller force, it will accelerate less.
The relationship between force, mass of the car, and acceleration can be described by the formula F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass of the car, and a is the acceleration. By rearranging the formula, we can solve for acceleration: a = F/m.
Billiard Ball
When you strike a billiard ball with a cue stick, it accelerates in the direction of the force applied. This is another example of Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
The force applied to the billiard ball determines its acceleration. If you strike the ball with a greater force, it will accelerate more. Conversely, if you strike it with a smaller force, it will accelerate less.
The speed of the ball is directly proportional to the force applied. In other words, the greater the force, the greater the speed of the ball.
When a force is incident on a marble, it displaces the marble from its position of rest. This is an example that demonstrates Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
The force applied to the marble determines the displacement it experiences. If a greater force is applied, the marble will be displaced further. Conversely, if a smaller force is applied, the displacement will be less.
In addition, when the marble is displaced, there is a transfer of kinetic energy from one marble to another. This transfer of energy is a result of the force applied.
Bowling Ball
When a force is applied to a bowling ball, it moves in the direction of the force. This is another example of Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
The force applied to the bowling ball determines its acceleration. If a greater force is applied, the ball will accelerate more. Conversely, if a smaller force is applied, the acceleration will be less.
The relationship between force and acceleration can be described by the formula F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass of the bowling ball, and a is the acceleration. By rearranging the formula, we can solve for force: F = ma.
These examples demonstrate how Newton’s Second Law of Motion applies to various real-life scenarios. By understanding this law, we can better comprehend the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in the world around us.
When it comes to understanding Newton’s second law of motion, it’s helpful to explore real-life examples that demonstrate how force, mass, and acceleration are interconnected. One such example is pulling a trolley suitcase. Let’s take a closer look at how this scenario exemplifies the principles of Newton’s second law.
Description of the Example
Imagine you’re at the airport, and you need to pull your trolley suitcase from the check-in counter to the boarding gate. The trolley suitcase is equipped with wheels, making it easier to transport. However, you still need to exert a force to set it in motion and keep it moving.
Explanation of How a Force is Applied to Pull the Trolley Forward
To pull the trolley suitcase forward, you apply a force in the direction you want it to move. This force is typically exerted by gripping the handle of the suitcase and pulling it towards you. As you pull, the force you apply is transmitted to the wheels, causing them to rotate. The rotation of the wheels propels the trolley suitcase forward.
Discussion of the Relationship Between Force, Mass of the Trolley, and Acceleration
According to Newton’s second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. In the case of the trolley suitcase, the force you apply determines its acceleration. The greater the force, the faster the trolley will accelerate.
On the other hand, the mass of the trolley suitcase affects its acceleration inversely. If the trolley suitcase is heavier, it will require a greater force to achieve the same acceleration as a lighter suitcase.
In practical terms, this means that if you want to increase the acceleration of the trolley suitcase, you need to apply a greater force. Similarly, if you want to slow down or stop the trolley, you need to apply a force in the opposite direction.
Understanding how force, mass, and acceleration are related in the context of pulling a trolley suitcase helps illustrate the principles of Newton’s second law of motion. By applying this law, we can better comprehend the physics behind everyday actions and objects.
Imagine you are trying to slide open a stubborn window. You push against it with all your might, but it doesn’t budge. This everyday scenario can be explained using Newton’s second law of motion.
Explanation of How a Force is Applied to Slide a Window Open
Newton’s second law of motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. In the case of sliding a window open, you are applying a force to overcome the friction between the window and its frame.
When you push on the window, you are exerting a force in a specific direction. According to Newton’s second law, this force will cause the window to accelerate in the same direction. However, the window’s mass resists this acceleration, making it harder to slide open.
Discussion of the Relationship Between Force and Acceleration of the Window
The relationship between force and acceleration can be understood through the equation F = ma, where F represents force, m represents mass, and a represents acceleration. In the case of sliding a window open, the force you apply is directly related to the acceleration of the window.
If you increase the force you exert on the window, the acceleration of the window will also increase. This means that the window will slide open faster. Conversely, if you decrease the force, the acceleration and sliding speed of the window will decrease as well.
Explanation of How a Force is Applied to Lift a Stack of Books
Another example that demonstrates Newton’s second law of motion is lifting a stack of books. When you lift a stack of books off the ground, you are applying a force to overcome the gravitational pull on the books.
Discussion of the Relationship Between Force, Mass of the Books, and Acceleration
Similar to the sliding window example, the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration applies here as well. The force you exert to lift the stack of books is directly related to the acceleration of the books.
If you increase the force, the acceleration of the books will increase, causing them to lift off the ground more quickly. On the other hand, if you decrease the force, the acceleration and lifting speed of the books will decrease.
It’s important to note that in both examples, the mass of the object being moved affects the acceleration. The greater the mass, the more force is required to achieve the same acceleration.
In conclusion, Newton’s second law of motion provides a fundamental understanding of how forces and masses interact to produce acceleration. Whether it’s sliding a window open or lifting a stack of books, this law helps explain the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in various real-life scenarios.
Imagine yourself on a boat, gliding through the calm waters of a lake on a sunny day. As you stand at the bow, you notice that the boat starts moving forward when you push against the railing. This simple action exemplifies Newton’s second law of motion.
Explanation of how a force applied to a boat causes it to move forward
When you push against the railing of the boat, you apply a force in the opposite direction. According to Newton’s second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. In this case, the boat’s mass remains constant, so the force you apply causes the boat to accelerate forward.
Discussion of the relationship between force, acceleration, and direction of motion
The direction of motion of the boat is determined by the direction of the force applied. In this example, when you push against the railing, the force is directed backward. However, according to Newton’s third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, the boat moves forward in response to the backward force you exerted on the railing.
Explanation of how the gravitational force causes a fruit to fall downward
Let’s consider another example to understand Newton’s second law of motion. Imagine you are standing under a tree, and you pluck a ripe fruit from its branch. As soon as you detach the fruit, it falls straight down towards the ground.
This downward motion of the fruit is due to the force of gravity acting upon it. Gravity is a force that attracts objects towards each other. In this case, the Earth‘s gravitational force pulls the fruit downward, causing it to accelerate towards the ground.
Explanation of how a force is applied to roll a hula hoop on a surface
Now, let’s explore the motion of a hula hoop rolling on a surface. When you apply a force by pushing the hula hoop, it starts rolling forward. This motion can be explained using Newton’s second law of motion.
The force you apply to the hula hoop causes it to accelerate forward. The acceleration depends on the force applied and the mass of the hula hoop. The lighter the hula hoop, the easier it is to accelerate.
Discussion of the relationship between force, acceleration of the hoop, and direction of motion
The direction of motion of the hula hoop is determined by the direction of the force applied. When you push the hula hoop forward, the force is directed in the same direction. As a result, the hula hoop accelerates in the forward direction.
The acceleration of the hula hoop depends on the force applied and the mass of the hoop. The greater the force applied or the lighter the hula hoop, the greater the acceleration.
Explanation of how a force is applied to set a swing in motion
Have you ever enjoyed swinging in a playground? The motion of a swing can be explained using Newton’s second law of motion. When you push the swing, it moves forward and backward.
By applying a force to the swing, you cause it to accelerate in the direction of the force. The swing moves forward due to the force you exerted. As it reaches the highest point, the force decreases, causing the swing to decelerate and eventually reverse its direction.
Explanation of how a force is applied to blow out a candle
Blowing out a candle is a simple action that demonstrates Newton’s second law of motion. When you blow air towards the candle flame, it extinguishes.
The force you apply to blow air causes the air molecules to accelerate in the direction of the candle flame. As the air molecules collide with the flame, they disrupt the combustion process, leading to the extinguishing of the flame.
Discussion of the relationship between force, acceleration of air molecules, and extinguishing the flame
The force applied to blow air determines the acceleration of the air molecules. The greater the force, the higher the acceleration of the air molecules. When the accelerated air molecules collide with the flame, they disturb the balance of heat and oxygen required for combustion, resulting in the flame being extinguished.
Explanation of how a boomerang returns to the thrower
The boomerang is a fascinating example of Newton’s second law of motion. When thrown correctly, a boomerang not only travels in a curved path but also returns to the thrower.
When you throw a boomerang, you apply a force by giving it a spin. This spin creates an imbalance in the forces acting on the boomerang, causing it to accelerate and follow a curved path. The shape and design of the boomerang, along with the spin, generate lift and create an aerodynamic effect, allowing it to return to the thrower.
Discussion of the relationship between force, distance traveled, and acceleration
The force applied to the boomerang determines its acceleration. The greater the force, the higher the acceleration, which affects the distance traveled by the boomerang. Additionally, the design and shape of the boomerang play a crucial role in generating lift and allowing it to return to the thrower.
Explanation of how a force is applied to throw a dart
Throwing a dart is a classic example of Newton’s second law of motion. When you throw a dart, you apply a force by pushing it forward.
The force you apply to the dart causes it to accelerate in the direction of the throw. The acceleration depends on the force applied and the mass of the dart. The lighter the dart, the easier it is to accelerate, resulting in a faster throw.
Discussion of the relationship between force, acceleration of the dart, and direction of motion
The direction of motion of the dart is determined by the direction of the force applied. When you throw the dart forward, the force is directed in the same direction. As a result, the dart accelerates in the forward direction.
The acceleration of the dart depends on the force applied and the mass of the dart. The greater the force applied or the lighter the dart, the greater the acceleration, leading to a faster throw.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to calculate the force required to move an object with a given mass and acceleration?
When it comes to calculating the force required to move an object, Newton’s second law of motion comes into play. According to this law, the force acting on an object is directly proportional to its mass and acceleration. In other words, the force required to move an object is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration.
To calculate the force, you can use the formula:
Force = Mass x Acceleration
Let’s say you have an object with a mass of 5 kilograms and an acceleration of 10 meters per second squared. By plugging these values into the formula, you can calculate the force required to move the object:
Force = 5 kg x 10 m/s^2 = 50 Newtons
Therefore, the force required to move the object is 50 Newtons.
How to determine the net acceleration of an object under the influence of multiple forces?
When an object is under the influence of multiple forces, the net acceleration can be determined by considering the vector sum of all the forces acting on the object. The net acceleration is the overall acceleration experienced by the object due to the combined effect of all the forces.
To determine the net acceleration, follow these steps:
Identify all the forces acting on the object.
Determine the direction and magnitude of each force.
Add up all the forces vectorially, taking into account their direction.
Divide the resultant force by the mass of the object to obtain the net acceleration.
For example, let’s say an object is experiencing two forces: a force of 20 Newtons to the right and a force of 10 Newtons to the left. The mass of the object is 2 kilograms. To find the net acceleration:
The force to the right is +20 N, and the force to the left is -10 N.
Adding these forces vectorially, we get a resultant force of +10 N to the right.
Dividing the resultant force by the mass of the object (2 kg), we find the net acceleration:
Net Acceleration = Resultant Force / Mass = 10 N / 2 kg = 5 m/s^2
Therefore, the net acceleration of the object is 5 meters per second squared.
Why do moving objects eventually come to rest?
According to Newton’s second law of motion, an object will continue to move at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. This concept is known as inertia. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
When a moving object comes into contact with a surface or encounters friction, it experiences a force that opposes its motion. This force is known as frictional force. Frictional force acts in the opposite direction to the object’s motion, gradually slowing it down.
As the object slows down, the force of friction increases until it becomes equal in magnitude to the force propelling the object forward. At this point, the net force acting on the object becomes zero, resulting in the object coming to rest.
Explanation of the factors contributing to an object’s equilibrium state of rest
An object is said to be in a state of equilibrium when the net force acting on it is zero. In other words, the object is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity. There are two main factors that contribute to an object’s equilibrium state of rest:
Balanced Forces: When the forces acting on an object are balanced, the net force is zero. This means that the forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, canceling each other out. As a result, the object remains at rest.
Friction: Friction plays a crucial role in maintaining an object’s equilibrium state of rest. When an object is on a surface, the force of friction opposes the object’s tendency to move. The frictional force acts in the opposite direction to the applied force, preventing the object from sliding or moving.
For example, imagine a book placed on a table. The weight of the book is balanced by the normal force exerted by the table, resulting in a net force of zero. Additionally, the frictional force between the book and the table prevents it from sliding off.
In summary, an object’s equilibrium state of rest is achieved when the forces acting on it are balanced and when friction opposes its motion. These factors work together to keep the object at rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Newton’s second law of motion?
A: Newton’s second law of motion states that the force acting on an object is directly proportional to the mass of the object and the acceleration produced. It can be mathematically represented as F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration.
Q: What information do you get from Newton’s second law of motion?
A: Newton’s second law of motion provides information about the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. It allows us to calculate the force acting on an object or determine the acceleration produced by a given force.
Q: Can you explain Newton’s second law of motion with an example?
A: Sure! Let’s consider an example where a car of mass 1000 kg experiences a force of 500 N. Using Newton’s second law of motion (F = ma), we can calculate the acceleration of the car. Substituting the values, we get 500 N = 1000 kg * a. Solving for a, we find that the acceleration is 0.5 m/s^2.
Q: What are some examples of Newton’s second law of motion in everyday life?
A: Some examples of Newton’s second law of motion in everyday life include pushing a shopping cart, kicking a football, or riding a bicycle. In each case, the force applied determines the acceleration produced based on the mass of the object.
Q: Can you provide some examples of Newton’s second law of motion in sports?
A: Certainly! Examples of Newton’s second law of motion in sports include throwing a baseball, hitting a tennis ball, or kicking a soccer ball. The force applied to these objects determines their acceleration, allowing them to move in the desired direction.
Q: What are some practical examples of Newton’s second law of motion?
A: Practical examples of Newton’s second law of motion include launching a rocket into space, propelling a car forward, or stopping a moving object. In each case, the force applied determines the resulting acceleration or deceleration.
Q: How can Newton’s second law of motion be applied in engineering?
A: Newton’s second law of motion is applied in engineering to design and analyze various systems. It helps engineers calculate forces, determine accelerations, and optimize designs for efficiency and safety.
Q: Are there any real-life examples of Newton’s second law of motion?
A: Yes, there are numerous real-life examples of Newton’s second law of motion. Some examples include a person jumping off a diving board, a rocket launching into space, or a car accelerating on a highway. In each case, the force applied determines the resulting acceleration.
Q: Can you provide some examples of Newton’s second law of motion in physics?
A: Certainly! Examples of Newton’s second law of motion in physics include the motion of a pendulum, the behavior of a falling object, or the motion of a satellite orbiting the Earth. In each case, the force applied determines the resulting acceleration.
Q: How can Newton’s second law of motion be used to solve problems?
A: Newton’s second law of motion can be used to solve problems by applying the formula F = ma. By identifying the known values of force, mass, or acceleration, we can calculate the unknown quantity using algebraic manipulation.
Some objects can move only at a certain distance or to a certain angle, beyond which they cannot be moved.
The range of motion is the limitation of certain motion up to which an object can travel. Let us discuss some of the range of motion examples as listed in here below:-
The door is liable to move fixed at one axis of rotation from the mullion as the door is attached to the mullion with the help of the hinges.
Divider and Compass
The divider is a device used in measurement which consists of two pointed legs and a compass is used to draw circles, arcs, and angles that have only one pointed leg and another to hold the pencil.
The lid can be moved at more than 90 degrees but not a complete 360 degrees because the body of the container comes in contact that resists its motion.
Book and Diary
The cover of the book and diary can be moved beyond 180 degrees depending upon the thickness of the book.
If the thickness of the book is less, then it can be easily turned to 360 degrees fixed at that axis of rotation. While if the thickness is more, the page can be turned only at 180 degrees.
Laptop
The screen of the laptop can be turned at less than 180 degrees. Nowadays, there are laptops connecting the screen and the keyboard with a magnet that can be turned at a 360-degree angle. The range of the motion of the screen is retained to move at a fixed axis of rotation at a specific angle.
Scanner
The document cover of the scanner can be moved from the glass plate within the range of a 90 to 150 degrees angle.
The document cover has a white color reflective mat to reflect the light to get a better and brighter quality of a scanned document.
Windows
The window panels can be rotated at a certain angle fixed at its angle of rotation or slide in a given range of slide bar. The window moves only at a given range of its motion beyond which it cannot move.
Drawers
Drawers can be opened and closed by moving a drawer in and out at a given range of motion beyond which the box cannot be pulled.
The doors are also used to close the drawers instead of only the sidebars. The doors can be opened and closed at a given angle of rotation from the hinges of a door.
Folding Blade
These types of blades open at 180 degrees directly. There is a spring inside the holder that holds the blade with a torsion force. On pressing the flipper, the force is released and the blade rotates out and gets locked.
Nail Cutter
The lever of the nail cutter is held at 45 degrees when opened which is constrained by the motion of the two blade joints by the pin.
The other blades which are called filed can be moved only from one side and at a 180-degree angle. All the parts of the nail cutter are restricted to work in a given range of motion.
Car Trunk
A door of a trunk of a car can be moved to a certain angle up to 90 degrees. A trunk of a car is used to store luggage. Even the doors of a car are an example of a range of motion as the doors can be opened up to a certain limit.
Metronome
It is a device used to listen to a beat by the musician by adjusting the speed of oscillation of the device and catching the rhythm.
The speed of the metronome is adjusted by moving a weight over the pendulum stick, and it oscillated to the given range of frequency. The range of motion of the oscillator of a metronome is limited by the adjusted oscillation of the pendulum.
Hands and Legs
The motion of hands and legs is limited by the joints. We are able to move our hands at a 180-degree angle from the front but the same is not true while moving backward. The legs can be moved to more than 180 degrees but we cannot move our legs at a 360-degree angle.
Walking
While walking the motion of the legs is a repetitive motion and occurs and a fixed angle of motion.
The legs are bending at a small angle while lifting the leg and kept forward. The range of motion of the leg is limited by every joint of the leg helping while walking.
Fingers
We are able to bend our fingers from knuckles to every phalange of a finger to a certain angle in a forward direction. The range of motion of our fingers is limited by the joints. We are unable to bend our fingers backward, which specifies the range of motion of the fingers.
Tap
There are different tap handles used for different valves that adjust the pressure of the water. Some rotating tap handles can be rotated at 90 degrees, of some can be rotated from 0-360 degrees too.
But the range of motion of the handle is fixed at a constant angle of rotation.
Satellites
The geostationary satellites are mounted above the surface of the Earth about 36 thousand kilometers and the speed of the satellite is synchronized with the speed of the Earth. The range of motion of the satellites is maintained by the gravitational pull of the Earth so that they cannot escape away from the Earth.
Spectacle
The small sticks-like structure of the spectacle which is worn around the ears to hold the specs are called the temples of the spectacle and is moved between 0-90 degree angles.
The motion of the object is said to be rolling if the rotating object is in a translation motion at the same time.
The rolling motion comes in the scenario is the surface of the object possessing rotational motion comes in a contact with the other surface. Let us discuss some of the rolling motion examples as listed here below:-
Paint Roller
A paint roller is dipped into the paint and rolled on the wall back and forth to apply the color to the wall.
This motion of the paint roller on the wall is a rolling motion. Dipping half of the roller in the paint instead of fully helps in evenly spreading the paint on the cover.
Ball
Since the ball is round in shape it rolls on the ground when the force is applied to displace it from the initial position. The ball will rotate at an axis perpendicular to the direction of the force applied.
Bicycle
The bicycle is an example of multiple motions too. The tires of the bicycle rotate at a fixed axis while the bicycle moves in a linear motion forward due to the rotational motion of the tires.
The distance covered by one rotation of the tires is equal to the length of the circumference of the tire.
Cylinder
The cylindrical surface area is circular in shape and hence upon rolling the cylinder on the surface it will roll traveling to a certain distance.
Bottles
A bottle fallen on the ground will roll on the surface due to the effect of the applied force or air resistance.
The air resistive force depends upon the volume of the liquid present in the container and the density of a liquid.
Hula Hoop
The hula hoop is a circular ring in shape that you put around the body and gives it torque. On keeping the hula hoop on the plane surface it will roll on the surface.
Marbles
The marbles are round in shape. On hitting the marble on a group of marbles, the marbles start rolling depending upon the impact that each marble exerts.
Billiard Ball
The billiard ball will roll on the board after hitting it with the stick.
As the player applies a force on the ball, the billiard ball will gain kinetic energy along with the momentum and accelerate towards the target. Upon colliding with another ball in the path, the momentum of the ball is transferred to the ball.
Chapati Roller
A roller is used to make a chapatti. A roller is kept on the dough and the roller spreads the dough evenly to make a chapatti.
The dough is spread based on the pressure incident on the dough by the roller and the force applied to the roller.
Boulder Falling from the Hill
A boulder rolling down from the high hills is also an example of the rolling motion. You must have observed the big boulder standing on the rock click even at a pointed edge of the boulder. If the force relevant to the mass of the boulder is incident on the bounder then it will accelerate rolling down the hill till the equivalent resistive force is exerted on the hill.
Bowling Ball
Upon throwing the bowling ball, it will roll towards the bowling pin. The rectilinear path of the ball depends upon the point of gravity of the bowling ball and its moment of inertia and the force applied to the ball while making a throw.
Round Cutter
A round cutter composes of a circular blade with different shapes connected with a lever holder with a screw such that the blade is free to rotate. It is used to cut the sides of roti, pizza, naan, etc. into pieces and give different shapes.
This is achieved by rolling the cutter over the naan. The cutter moves in a rotational as well as the linear motion rolling over the naan.
Wheels of Car
A car in acceleration moves in a linear motion due to the rolling motion of the tires. The rolling motion of the tires determines the speed of acceleration of the car. One rotation of the tire covers a distance equal to its circumference.
The Fruit Fell on the Ground
On detaching a fruit from the tree, the gravitation potential energy of the fruit will convert into kinetic energy and it will fall down on the ground and bounce back because of the presence of the potential energy. It then rolls for a short distance it the entire energy stored in the fruit is nullified.
Gym Ball
A gym ball is used to do the balancing exercise. Due to its round shape, it can easily be rolled on applying little force to it.
If you take a roll of a carpet and spread it, the carpet will roll out opening each concentric roll of a carpet on each rotation. As the size of the concentric circle made out of carpet keeps on reducing thus the speed of the spreading carpet on the floor appears to be increased after every rollout.
Road Roller
Rollers are cylindrical in shape that is used to level and compact soil, concrete to construct the metallic road, and in landfills by rolling it over the heap of mass.
Due to its cylindrical shape mechanical structure, it compresses the soil and concrete even making the roads tough and strong increasing the density of the construction.
Rolling Down from the Slope
Any object rolling down from a slope possesses the rolling motion. The speed of the object rolling down increases with a slope depending upon the configuration of the object.
Children Playing with Tire
A child keeps the tire in the momentum by applying torque over it to increase the angular velocity of the tire. If the momentum is lost then the tire will fall down. The tire in its motion is an example of the rolling motion. The tire is rolling on the road.
Skating
The skater has wheels underneath the shoes that help is the motion.
The wheels are in the rolling motion to accelerate the body over it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does any round-shaped object possess the rolling motion?
It is obvious that any round object will rotate and roll easily.
Depending upon the force applied to the mass of the object the round-shaped object is set into motion. If the surface of the object in motion comes in contact with the plane surface it will move with the rolling motion.
Does the rolling motion of the object depend upon the type of surface it is rolling on?
The rolling motion of the object depends upon the smoothness of the surface.
The rolling motion of the object may resist due to the roughness of the surface, while on the plane surface the object will easily roll.
The relative motion is a motion of an object with respect to another frame of reference.
Suppose the object is moving at velocity v1 and another object is moving away from that object with velocity v2, then the relative velocity of both the object in their frame of reference will be the addition of both the velocities. Here is a list of relative motion examples:-
The Passenger in a Bus
The passenger standing in a bus in a stationary position but the relative motion of the passengers in a bus is equal to the velocity of the bus.
The passengers are moving along with the bus with the displacement equal to the rate of displacement of the bus.
A Person walking in a Train in a Forward Direction
The speed of a person walking in a train is relative to the speed of the moving train. The walking speed of the person would be a, but in another frame of reference for the observer standing outside the train the speed of the person is relative to the train. Since the person is moving forward direction with the moving train velocity b then the relative velocity of the man is a+b.
The Table moved with a Stack of Books on It
The stack of books is at rest, hence the velocity of the book with the reference point on the table is zero. But for viewers, the velocity of the books is relative to the speed of the table.
The passenger sitting on a roller coaster will see that the other passengers are stationary and not moving in his frame of reference.
Passengers on a roller coaster; Image Credit: Pixabay
The relative motion of the passenger with the frame of reference of another passenger is zero. But the actual speed of the passenger is relative to the speed of the roller coaster.
The Vehicle Close by Moved in the Backward Direction
You must have noticed sitting in a vehicle if another vehicle standing stationary moves ahead then as per your frame of reference you feel that the vehicle in which you are sitting is taken backward. If the same vehicle is taken in the backward direction, it appears as if your vehicle is moved forward and vice versa.
A Boat Floating on Water
A boat floating on the water appears to be stationary with the frame of reference of the ocean waves.
For a person standing in a boat in open water, it appears to him that the boat is stationary because his relative speed matches the speed of the boat.
Marching
For a person marching in a group, the speed of the other marchers in a group in his frame of reference is zero because all the members are moving at the same speed and hence appear stationary.
Two Friends Walking Together
If the two friends are walking together at the same speed then the relative velocity of both with respect to each other will be zero.
Another person watching them from a far distance will see the positive velocity of both the friends.
Clock in the Bus
A clock in the bus is moving with the relative speed of the bus. A clock is actually stationary fixed at one point. For any point of reference from the bus, the velocity of a clock is zero, but for a point of reference outside the bus, the velocity of a clock is relative to the velocity of the bus.
Bicyclist Riding in the Rain
If the bicyclist riding a cycle in a rain at a certain velocity, he will notice that the speed of the rain is more than the actual speed of the raindrops. For his point of reference, the relative velocity of the raindrop is the velocity of the raindrop plus his velocity hence he feels that the speed of the rain is more than the actual.
Skiing
The relative velocity of the skiboard in the reference point of the skier is zero because he is standing on the board which is moving along with him.
Well for another reference point the relative velocity of the skier is relative to the board.
Geostationary Satellite
The geostationary satellites are those mounted 36,000 km above the surface of the Earth and the speed of the satellite is in sync with the speed of the Earth. Hence, the speed of the geostationary satellite from the reference point of the earth and the satellite appears to be zero.
Kayaking
The relative speed of the kayak depends upon the speed of the water current. If the kayak moves in the direction of the current then the relative speed of the kayak will be the addition of the speed of water flow and the kayak, in contrary, if the kayak is traveling in the direction opposite to the flow of water then the relative speed of kayak will reduce.
Swimming
If the ocean waves are approaching the swimmer, the relative velocity of the swimmer will be lower than his actual velocity.
For a swimmer, it will appear that he is moving faster but the speed of the waves decreases the velocity of the swimmer.
Riding in Helicopter
The relative motion of a person sitting in a helicopter is equal to the speed of the helicopter because the person is in a stationary position.
Sitting on a Swing
The speed of a girl sitting on a swing is in relative motion with the oscillating swing.
A girl is sitting stationary on the swing and her actual velocity is zero. But since she is in motion along with the swing, her relative velocity is equal to the velocity of a swing.
A Ball Passed to the Player Approaching Towards Him
For the player who is passing the ball, the velocity of a ball will be the actual velocity, but for a catcher who is approaching the ball, for him, the velocity will be more than the actual. The relative velocity in his point of reference is the addition of the velocity of a ball and his running speed towards the ball.
A Vehicle Crossing a Bicycle Rider and a Car
For a car driver, the relative velocity of a vehicle will be more compared to the relative velocity with respect to the bicyclist. This is because the speed of a car is more than the bicycle. For two objects appearing towards each other, the velocities add up.
Mobile Kept in a Pocket while Walking
The relative velocity of mobile is equal to the walking speed. Mobile in a pocket is stationary with a reference point of a carrier.
Object Released from the Moving Car
Any object thrown out from a running car moves backward from the car because the car is moving forward and hence with the frame of reference of a person sitting in a car, he will see that the object is moving backward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relative speed of a bicyclist moving with a speed of 4m/s and a car at a speed of 75km/h moving away from each other?
Given: Speed of car V1=75km/h= 20.83m/s
Speed of man V2=4m/s
Hence, the relative speed of two diverging objects is
V=V1-V2
V=20.83+4=24.83 m/s
The relative speed between the two is 24.83 m/s.
What is the relative velocity of a kayak riding at a speed of 10 m/s against the river current of the speed of 8m/s?
The motion that is repeated frequently at an equal interval of time is called repetitive motion.
A single activity may be involving motions that reiterate every interval of time. Let us discuss some of the repetitive motion examples here in this topic as listed below:-
To keep the cycle in the momentum you need to continuously paddle the cycle.
The paddling of the cycle demands the repetitive motion of your legs. You continuously move your legs in a cyclic pattern, and the cycle moves forward in a linear motion.
Typing
While typing on a keyboard, your fingers constantly hit the keys on the keyboard. This motion occurs repetitively and hence is an example of repetitive motion.
You use the muscular force from the tip of your fingers and the joints of your hand while typing.
Walking
To walk a certain distance you put one leg forward and apply pressure on the ground from the other leg to push the body forward. The motion keeps on reiterating while walking. Also, you move your hand back and forth to balance the body while walking. This is also a repetitive motion by your hands.
Push-ups
A person doing push up will balance himself on two palms and toes and bring his body towards the ground and again push up his body and repeat this pattern several times.
Hence person follows repetitive motion while doing push-ups.
Paddling a Boat
In a paddleboat, you need to continuously paddle the boat to keep it in motion. Your legs move in a rhythm to paddle the boat and push the flow of water.
Rubbing Hands
Rubbing the hands together is a kind of repetitive motion.
Applying cream by rubbing a finger on the hand; Image Credit: Pixabay
You rub your hand moving back and forth constantly. Rubbing the hands generates heat warming your hand due to frictional energy.
Heartbeats
If you listen carefully to your heartbeat, the beats are in a rhythm appearing at a fixed interval of time. The heart pumps the blood continuously and hence is also a repetitive motion.
Chewing the Food
While chewing you repeatedly bites the food mixing saliva in the food particle to degrade it into smaller particles so that the food can be easily digested.
Hammering
You continuously hammer on the nail to fix it on the wall. The hand frequently moves back and forth to apply the force on the nail to push it into the wall.
Drawing Water from Well
To draw the water from the well using a pulley, you will pull the rope by your hand frequently toward yourself to draw the vessel full of water from the well. This is a repetitive motion.
The Collision between Air Molecules
The molecules in the air collide with each other frequently. The air molecules are separated from one another at a greater distance and hence are able to move freely around. Since the molecules are suspended in the air they collide with each other repeatedly.
Blinking Eyes
The blinking of eyes is a continuous motion of pupils and occurs at every interval of time. This helps in cleaning the eyes and prevents harmful contamination too.
Pendulum
The pendulum oscillates in a simple harmonic motion. The oscillation of a pendulum depends upon the mass of the bob, the length of the wire, and the angle of oscillation of a pendulum.
Upon giving an oscillation to the pendulum, it will keep on oscillating till it comes to a rest position as the energy is nullified. The oscillation of a pendulum is a repetitive motion too.
Swing
On giving a jerk to a swing, it will keep on oscillating. The energy of a swing decreases with every oscillation because the energy given to the swing is utilized to do the work to complete one oscillation every time.
Hand Fan
The hand fan is moves in a reciprocating manner to generate the waves of wind.
The wind force depends upon the speed of the hand motion that allows the repetitive motion of the hand fan in a semi arc curvature.
Clock
The second hand of the clock covers 6 degrees every second, the minute hand will cover 0.1 degrees per second and the hour hand travels 0.5 degrees per minute. Each hand repeatedly moves in a clockwise direction to cover a specific distance in a given interval of time.
Needle in a Sewing Machine
If you carefully observe the needle of the sewing machine, you will notice that the needle constantly moves up and down pinning the thread through the fabric.
Metronome
A metronome is a device used by the musician to listen to the beat and to keep the music in rhythm.
By adjusting the sliding weight to the tempo scale the periodic oscillation of the pendulum is maintained.
Opening and Closing Drawers
Opening and closing the drawers is also the repetitive motion we come across. The drawer can be opened by sliding the drawer out or by opening the lid of the case, anyways it is a one-way process and hence it occurs frequently.
Sawing
Sawing is a process to cut the wood into two pieces using a saw.
To penetrate the thin saw through the wood, the woodcutter continuously moves the saw back and forward to apply the friction and the pressure to run it through the wood and cut it into two.
Strumming Guitar
While playing the guitar you continuously strum the strings on the guitar using your right hand. This is a repetitive motion of plucking the string on every beat. The left hand is used to hold the note and chord on the fretboard.
Crushing the Nut in Mortar
To crush the nuts into fine particles, you repeatedly hit the pestle in the mortar. The repetitive motion of your hand is observed moving up and down to apply the pressure on the nuts in the mortar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ocean waves near the shoreline an example of repetitive motion?
The ocean waves move in a transverse motion as well as in a longitudinal wave pattern.
The ocean waves hit the shoreline and go back into the sea. This process repeats at every interval of time and is a cause of erosion near the shore.
Is a ceiling fan an example of repetitive motion?
The ceiling fan rotates at a fixed axis and hence its motion is described as a rotational motion.
The rotations of the fan occur at a constant rate at the fixed voltage flowing through it and in a repetitive fashion hence its motion is repetitive motion too.
The first law of motion states that the objects tend to be in a state of motion or be in rest unless some external force is incident on the object.
The object cannot move or stop on its own. The force plays a major role in either displacing the object or bringing it to the rest. Let us discuss some of the first law of motion examples listed here below:-
Ping-pong Ball
The ping-pong ball conserves the momentum and the energy and hence it keeps on bouncing until it is made to stop. The sum of the kinetic energy and the potential energy of the ball remains the same on every bounce.
Newton’s Cradle
Newton’s cradle is designed with the bobs such that the momentum and the energy of all the bobs are conserved.
The bobs attached at both ends remain in motion at every interval of time and rest all the bobs in the middle are in a stationary position.
The car will stop accelerating immediately after applying the brakes. The car accelerates depending on the rotational speed of the gears. The engine of a car supplies the energy to the battery on the combustion of fuel.
Pulling or Pushing the Object
Upon applying pull or push force on the object, the object will displace from its initial position to the distance where it is pulled or pushed. The force required to move the object from its place depends upon the mass and configuration of the object.
Shopping Trolley
The shopping trolley in a mall is moved forward by applying the force and stops as we stop applying the force on it.
This follows the first law of motion too. The trolley has a wheel underneath. The circular curvature of the wheels makes it possible to sway the heavy load from the trolley.
Slider
A body sliding from the inclined slider will come to a rest when the force is exerted on it from the opposite direction. This force is exerted on a body as soon as the body touches the ground at the end of the slider and the body comes to a rest.
Raindrops
The raindrops will come to rest on meeting the ground and their kinetic energy is lost.
The raindrops approach from the cloud towards the ground due to the gravitational force of attraction of the Earth felt on the raindrops. The potential energy of the raindrop is converted into kinetic energy while making its journey toward the ground. On the force incident on the raindrop, it will come to a rest.
Ball
A ball accelerating will come to rest on applying the force over it. A stationary ball will be set into motion as the force is applied to the ball. To displace the ball from its place or to make it stationary at a place a force is required in both cases.
Bouncing Ball
The ball bounces back due to the force imposed on the surface of the ball by the ground. As the ball bounces on the ground the potential energy of the ball is converted into kinetic energy and it is bounced back into the air. This continues till the ball possesses potential energy.
Force Applied on Object Sliding Down
If the object is sliding down from a hill, its speed will keep on increasing if the shape of the object is round or cylindrical. To stop the object from sliding down a force has to be applied in a direction opposite to its motion.
Paddling for Cycling
To keep the bicycle moving you need to continuously apply the paddles.
If you stop paddling the bicycle will lose momentum and you will fall down. The cycle can be easily brought to a state of rest by applying a brake.
Striker on Carom Man
When you hit a striker towards the target carom man, the striker comes to a rest after hitting the carom man if the force exerted on the striker is sufficient. Upon hitting the carom man, the momentum of the striker is carried forward to the carom man and it moves from its place due to the exerted force from the striker.
Skiing
The skiing blade moves smoothly on the frictionless ice until the force is exerted by the stick in the skier’s hand on the ground. The sticks are used to guide the path and the direction and to slow down the speed as the speed of the skier increases if encountered a slope in between the path.
Swing
A swing will not oscillate until you give an initial push.
On applying push force you convert the potential energy of the body into kinetic energy and hence it starts oscillating.
Kicking a Football
A football will be in its state of rest until the player kicks the ball from its place. On kicking the ball you are actually supplying the kinetic energy to the ball to accelerate in a projectile motion.
Fan
A fan will be in a stationary position until you give an electrical power supply to set it into rotational motion. A fan rotates on a single axis of rotation. A capacitor of a fan stores a charge along with it, and hence it moves initially at a slow speed.
Hula Hoop
The hula hoop is a round circular hoop that you put around your body and give it a torque to rotate. If you stop it will lose its angular motion and it will fall down.
Acrobat performing with hula hoops; Image Credit: Pixabay
The angular speed of the hoop depends upon the number of torques given to the hoop in a given time interval.
Spinning Top
The precession of the spinning top is based on the angle between the azimuthal and spinning axis of the top and the torque given to the body for spinning. As the angle between the two increases, the center of gravity of the top points more and more away from its symmetric axis, and the momentum becomes zero.
Accident
When the two moving vehicles collide with each other or if the vehicle hits another heavy object the speed of the object becomes zero and the moving vehicles come to a rest. The force incident on the object is responsible to bring the fast moving vehicle to a stationary position.
Windmill
A windmill converts wind energy into electrical energy. The propellers of the windmill are stationary until the waves of wind hit the propellers and start rotating. These rotations are escalated by the use of shaft and motor.
Dart
A dart is accelerated towards the dartboard and comes to rest upon hitting on the surface of the board.
The dart has a pin at its end which pokes in the board. The depth at which the pin pokes in the board depends on the force and kinetic energy given to the dart throwing towards the target.
Pendulum
The Pendulum is at its resting position until it is perturbed by applying a force or giving it momentum. The oscillation of the pendulum comes to a rest decreasing its angle of oscillations gradually.
Stopping in Between a Walk
A person walking on a road suddenly stops in between is also an example of first law motion. A person applies a muscular force to bring his body to a rest position.
Apple kept on the Table
An apple kept on a table will be in its state of rest until some external force is applied to the apple to displace it from its position of rest.
The amount of force required to move the object also depends upon the shape and size of the object. For a rounded structure, less force is required compared to the same weighted object.
Skater Hitting on a Wall
The unprofessional skater, if hits on the wall by mistake, he will fall and come to a rest. A skater in a kinetic motion upon hitting on the wall will exert equal and opposite force on his body. On application of the force from the opposite direction, his body will come to a rest. If the impact of the force is more then he will obviously fall down.
Water Contaminated
The flowing water is moving with great mechanical energy. The flow of water will come to rest on meeting the volume of the water contaminated. As the volume of the water increases, the hydrostatic force between the molecules of water increases.
Hot Air Balloon
The hot air balloon moves in a direction of the flow of wind along with the air force. It continues to move with a wind flow.
If the direction of the wind changes it resists the motion of the balloon.
Dry Leave on a Node of a Tree
A dry leave is attached to the node of the tree and is at a stationary point. If the air resistance force is imposed on the node of the leaf then it will detach from the node and fall down.
Kayak on Stationary Water
Kayak will not move forward in stationary water if you stop rowing. The water has to push backing to move the kayak ahead along with your body.
Shoes on Rack
The shoes will remain stationary on the rack until the position of the shoes is changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why object remains stationary?
The stationary object follows Newton’s First law.
It will remain stationary until some force is exerted on its body. The force is an external source for the energy conversion of a body.
Why do some objects come to rest after moving a certain distance without applying force?
Some object travels a longer distance while some cover the shortest distance and come to a rest.
The objects are undergoing the forces that resist their motion depending upon the mass and shape of the objects. These forces are frictional force and air resistance.
The term ‘multiple-motion’ implies two or more motions at a time of an object.
Any object possessing more than one motion while performing a single task is said to have multiple motions. Here is a list of multiple motion examples that we are going to discuss in this topic:-
Spinning Top
The motion of the spinning top is a rotatory motion and at the same time, it moves in a parabolic curvilinear motion.
The angle between the axis of rotation and the azimuthal axis keeps on increasing during its precession and the point of the center of gravity of the spinning top directs outward from the line of symmetry. The precession of the top is faster before the top touches the ground decreasing its spin angular velocity.
Hitting the Marble
Marble is a small circular shape metallic or a glass ball. On hitting the marble, it will accelerate in a rotational motion moving in a straight path in a rectilinear motion. A round object when displaced from its place will rotate at the same time covering the path in a straight line.
Dancing
A dancer moves his hand and legs while dancing, performing different steps and motions hence it is a simple example of a multiple motion. A dancer uses muscular force and the potential energy driven from the stored chemical potential energy to utilize during the performance.
Riding a Bicycle
The bicycle can move in a rectilinear motion, circular motion, and curvilinear motion with the support of the two rotating tires in a circular motion.
To ride a bicycle, the muscular force is required to paddle the cycle to push the cycle ahead keeping the momentum and giving velocity to the bicycle to move.
Walking in a Moving Train
If you are walking in a moving train, your speed is in reference to the speed of the train and your direction of walking. Here we can have multiple motions.
Driving a Car
A car in motion is moving in its path at the same time there is a circular and rotational motion of the tires of the car. If the car is moving on a circular track then the motions in a picture is the circular motion and the rotational motion. If the car is in a straight path, then the motion of the car is a rectilinear motion, and the rotational motion of the tires.
Roller Coaster
Roller coasters have different path trajectories. We can have rectilinear motion, circular motion, curvilinear motion, etc.
The energy keeps on varying from kinetic to potential and potential to kinetic energy frequently during the flight on the coaster.
Dancing in a Bus
A bus moving in a rectilinear motion and at the same time a person dancing in a bus is moving in reference to the speed of the bus and performing different motions is an example of the multiple motions.
Clock in a Car
A clock is an example of a uniform circular motion. A clock in an accelerating car is an example of multiple motions. The clock will move with respect to the motion of a car moving in a rectilinear motion or a circular motion and its uniform centripetal motion.
Tires of the Vehicle in Motion
Any vehicle moving in its rectilinear or circular motion is due to the circular and rotator motion of its tires.
Any moving object showing both translations as well as longitudinal motion is associated with multiple motions.
Jogging
This activity is also an example of multiple motions. The person jogging will move forward in a straight path or a circular motion depending upon the track and at the same time performing the muscular movement of the body to run forward.
Bowling Ball
Upon throwing the bowling ball, the ball will spin towards the target in a spinning and rotational motion hitting the target and moving in a rectilinear motion. The momentum of the bowling ball depends upon the mass. The greater the mass of the ball, the more it will gain momentum based on the force applied while throwing the ball towards the target.
Horse Riding
Horse ridding is based on the third law of motion and the rectilinear motion of the riding horse.
The person sitting on the back of the horse exerts pressure on the back of the horse equal to the force felt in contrary from the horse. The person’s body accelerates up and down at the same time moving along with the riding horse.
Trolley
The trolley moves in a rectilinear motion but the wheels of the trolley moves in a centripetal as well as a rectilinear motion. The wheels of a trolley make it easy to carry a heavy load from one place to another.
Oceanic Waves
The oceanic waves are an example of longitudinal as well as transverse motion.
The molecules of the water on the surface oscillate up and down giving a wavy appearance. The oceanic waves hitting the shoreline come and return back to the ocean at every time interval.
Doing Exercise using a Gym Ball
Performing exercises with a gym ball involves multiple motions like the muscular movements of the body and the bouncing motion of the air-filled ball. There is an oscillatory motion due to the bouncing ball whereby acting the third law of motion on imposing the weight over it. At the same time, our body is performing various motions using the ball.
Skating
Skater has wheels below the shoes which rotate and push the body forward in a rectilinear motion.
If you increase the number of wheels beneath the shoes, then the rotational speed of the wheels will increase as the pressure of the body felt on each will be distributed among more wheels attached and the person will move forward with more speed.
Cricket Ball
A cricket ball on hitting moves in a projectile motion and rotational motion simultaneously. The ball spins continuously in the air with variation in the energy and the path of projection.
Fan
The fan rotates in a centripetal motion rotating at an axis fixed at one point contributing to the rotational motion.
If you hold a paper near the fan it will incline in a plane due to the force of a wind blowing in the upward and downward direction of the paper. The wind motion is in a rectilinear motion at some path.
Bouncing Ball and Moving Forward
A bouncing ball is in an oscillatory motion and in a transverse motion while it is moving forward. The ball bounces as some energy and its momentum are conserved. The potential energy acquired by the ball is converted back to the kinetic energy upon bouncing back on the ground and hence it rises up in the air again.
A Coin Tossed
A coin toss will rotate in an axis and move upward till its entire energy is converted into the potential energy and return down back following the same straight path. A coin is moving in rotational as well as rectilinear motion.
Billiard Ball
A billiard ball moves in a rotational motion as well as the rectilinear motion on the board upon hitting. Hence billiard ball is also an example of the multiple motions.
Drawing Water from the Well
While drawing water from a well using a pulley there is a continuous hand movement and the pulley moves in a centripetal motion.
The acceleration of the pulley depends upon the friction between the surface of the pulley and the rope based on the speed of hand motion.
Drilling
A drilling machine is used to make a hole in the objects. The drilling rod moves in a rotational motion while it moves within the object in a linear motion. It has a curve metallic work on the drill to remove the object particles from the hole formed on drilling through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a multiple motion?
The word ‘multiple’ implies more than one.
An object that possesses two or more motions at a time while doing work is called multiple motion.
Is paddling of a car an example of multiple motion?
The paddling car accelerates by paddling the wheels.
The paddling is a circular motion while the motion of the car is a rectilinear motion hence it is an example of multiple motion.
