HW #6a (Newtons Laws)

Answers

1. In the absence of an external force, a moving object will

A) stop immediately.
B) slow down and eventually come to a stop.
C) go faster and faster.
D) move with constant velocity.
Explanation: Moving objects will continue to move with a constant velocity until an
external force causes the object to accelerate.
2. A rocket moves through empty space in a straight line with constant speed. It is far
from the gravitational effect of any star or planet. Under these conditions, the force that
must be applied to the rocket in order to sustain its motion is
A) equal to its weight.
B) equal to its mass.
C) dependent on how fast it is moving.
D) zero.
Explanation: No external force is required to maintain the motion of a moving object.
The inertia of the object will keep it in motion.
3. An object sits on a frictionless surface. A 16-N force is applied to the object, and it
accelerates at 2.0 m/s2. What is the mass of the object?
A) 4.0 kg
B) 8.0 kg
C) 32 kg
D) 78 N
Explanation:Using Newtons second law F=ma, solving for m = F/a = 16N/2m/s/s=8kg
4. Starting from rest, a 4.0-kg body reaches a speed of 8.0 m/s in 2.0 s. What is the net
force acting on the body?
A) 4.0 N
B) 8.0 N
C) 16 N
D) 32 N
Explanation: F=ma = 4.0kg x (8.0m/s / 2.0s) = 4.0kg x 4.0m/s/s = 16N
5. What is the mass of an object that weighs 250 N on the surface of the Earth where the
acceleration due to gravity is 9.80 m/s2?
A) 250 kg
B) 24.5 kg
C) 25.5 kg
D) 2,450 kg
Explanation: W = mg so, m = W/g = 250N / 9.8m/s/s = 25.5kg

Free Response:

A crane is used to hoist a load of mass m1 = 500 kilograms. The load is suspended by a cable from a hook
of mass m2 = 50 kilograms, as shown in the diagram above. The load is lifted upward at a constant
acceleration of 2 m/s2.

a.

On the diagrams below draw and label the forces acting on the hook and the forces acting on the load
as they accelerate upward
T2
T1

Wh
T1

Wl

b. Determine the tension T1 in the lower cable and the tension T2 in the upper cable as the hook and and
load are accelerated upward at 2 m/s2. Use g = 10 m/s.
Wl = mg = 500kg x 10m/s/s = 5,000N
Wh= mg = 50kg x 10m/s/s = 500N
The load is accelerating upwards at 2m/s2 so there is a net force acting on the load.
Solving for the net force on the load using F=ma = 500kg x 2.0m/s/s = 1000N.
Since the load is accelerating upward the net force is directed upward as well.
So, T1 must be greater than the weight of the load by 1,000N. T1= 6,000N
The hook is accelerating upwards at 2m/s2 so there is a net force acting on the hook.
Solving for the net force on the hook using F=ma = 50kg x 2.0m/s/s = 100N
Since the hook is accelerating upward the net force is directed upward as well.
So, T2 must be greater than (T1+Wh) by 100N. T2= 6,600N