Newton's laws of motion

Learning objectives

Apply Newton's second law, resultant force = ma, to a particle of constant mass acted on by constant forces such as weight, tension, thrust, friction, a driving force and resistance

Use W = mg with g = 10 m s⁻², and combine F = ma with the constant-acceleration equations for vertical motion such as a load raised by a cable or a person standing in a lift

Solve problems on smooth and rough inclined planes, including a particle whose acceleration up the slope differs from its acceleration down the slope because friction changes direction

Model connected particles joined by a light inextensible string over a smooth pulley or peg by writing an equation of motion for each particle and solving for the acceleration and the tension

Analyse a car towing a trailer with a light rope or rigid tow-bar, finding the tension or thrust in the connection and the motion that follows when it breaks or the driving force changes