Topic 4 – The Laws of Motion

Goal: Students will study classical mechanics by examining how net forces cause change in motion. Students will determine relationships between forces and Newton’s laws of motion, as well as Newton’s law of universal gravitation.

Objectives:

• Compare and contrast contact forces and field forces. Recognize all known fundamental forces in nature are field forces.

• Present and explain Newton’s Laws of Motion. Distinguish between force, inertia, and mass, and relate net force to the acceleration of an object. Introduce Newton’s law of universal gravitation and distinguish between mass and weight. Recognize that forces in nature always exist in pairs.

• Describe the nature of static and kinetic friction, and be able to solve problems involving friction. Use a free-body diagram to describe forces on a physical system.

• Delve into the behavior of the friction between surfaces that are at rest with respect to each other.

• Learn about the various ways strings and cables supply tension forces to objects.

• Understand that tension exerts a pull on both the object and the tension’s source.

• Investigate the application of Newton’s Laws to single objects.

• Learn how to apply Newton’s Laws for systems of two-bodies.

Assignments:

1. Read and Take Notes Section 4.1 – 4.22; Problem 3

2. Read and Take Notes Section 4.2; Problems 5, 6

3. Read and Take Notes Section 4.3 – 4.4; Problems. 8, 11, 12, 14

4. Read and Take Notes 4.5 - 4.6; Problems. 15, 16, 19

5. Read and Take Notes Section 4.7; Problems 32, 35, 36, 38

6. Problems. 44, 56, 57, 64, 66, 67

7. Review for test

8. Test on Chapter 4