Chapter 9

FORCE AND LAWS OF MOTION

In the previous chapter, we described the In our everyday life we observe that some
motion of an object along a straight line in effort is required to put a stationary object
terms of its position, velocity and acceleration. into motion or to stop a moving object. We
We saw that such a motion can be uniform ordinarily experience this as a muscular effort
or non-uniform. We have not yet discovered and say that we must push or hit or pull on
what causes the motion. Why does the speed an object to change its state of motion. The
of an object change with time? Do all motions concept of force is based on this push, hit or
require a cause? If so, what is the nature of pull. Let us now ponder about a ‘force’. What
this cause? In this chapter we shall make an is it? In fact, no one has seen, tasted or felt a
attempt to quench all such curiosities. force. However, we always see or feel the effect
For many centuries, the problem of of a force. It can only be explained by
motion and its causes had puzzled scientists describing what happens when a force is
and philosophers. A ball on the ground, when applied to an object. Pushing, hitting and
given a small hit, does not move forever. Such pulling of objects are all ways of bringing
observations suggest that rest is the “natural objects in motion (Fig. 9.1). They move
state” of an object. This remained the belief because we make a force act on them.
until Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton From your studies in earlier classes, you
developed an entirely different approach to are also familiar with the fact that a force can
understand motion. be used to change the magnitude of velocity
of an object (that is, to make the object move
faster or slower) or to change its direction of
motion. We also know that a force can change
the shape and size of objects (Fig. 9.2).

(a) The trolley moves along the (b) The drawer is pulled.
direction we push it.
(a)

(b)

(c) The hockey stick hits the ball forward Fig. 9.2: (a) A spring expands on application of force;
Fig. 9.1: Pushing, pulling, or hitting objects change (b) A spherical rubber ball becomes oblong
their state of motion. as we apply force on it.

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9.1 Balanced and Unbalanced box with a small force, the box does not move
because of friction acting in a direction
Forces opposite to the push [Fig. 9.4(a)]. This friction
force arises between two surfaces in contact;
Fig. 9.3 shows a wooden block on a horizontal
in this case, between the bottom of the box
table. Two strings X and Y are tied to the two
and floor’s rough surface. It balances the
opposite faces of the block as shown. If we
pushing force and therefore the box does not
apply a force by pulling the string X, the block
move. In Fig. 9.4(b), the children push the
begins to move to the right. Similarly, if we
box harder but the box still does not move.
pull the string Y, the block moves to the left.
This is because the friction force still balances
But, if the block is pulled from both the sides
the pushing force. If the children push the
with equal forces, the block will not move.
box harder still, the pushing force becomes
Such forces are called balanced forces and
bigger than the friction force [Fig. 9.4(c)].
do not change the state of rest or of motion of
There is an unbalanced force. So the box
an object. Now, let us consider a situation in
starts moving.
which two opposite forces of different
magnitudes pull the block. In this case, the What happens when we ride a bicycle?
block would begin to move in the direction of When we stop pedalling, the bicycle begins
the greater force. Thus, the two forces are to slow down. This is again because of the
not balanced and the unbalanced force acts friction forces acting opposite to the direction
in the direction the block moves. This of motion. In order to keep the bicycle moving,
suggests that an unbalanced force acting on we have to start pedalling again. It thus
an object brings it in motion. appears that an object maintains its motion
under the continuous application of an
unbalanced force. However, it is quite
incorrect. An object moves with a uniform
velocity when the forces (pushing force and
frictional force) acting on the object are
balanced and there is no net external force
on it. If an unbalanced force is applied on
the object, there will be a change either in its
speed or in the direction of its motion. Thus,
to accelerate the motion of an object, an
Fig. 9.3: Two forces acting on a wooden block unbalanced force is required. And the change
in its speed (or in the direction of motion)
What happens when some children try to would continue as long as this unbalanced
push a box on a rough floor? If they push the force is applied. However, if this force is

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 9.4

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removed completely, the object would
continue to move with the velocity it has
acquired till then.

9.2 First Law of Motion

By observing the motion of objects on an
inclined plane Galileo deduced that objects
move with a constant speed when no force
acts on them. He observed that when a marble
rolls down an inclined plane, its velocity
increases [Fig. 9.5(a)]. In the next chapter,
you will learn that the marble falls under the
unbalanced force of gravity as it rolls down
and attains a definite velocity by the time it
reaches the bottom. Its velocity decreases
when it climbs up as shown in Fig. 9.5(b).
Fig. 9.5(c) shows a marble resting on an ideal
frictionless plane inclined on both sides. Fig. 9.5: (a) the downward motion; (b) the upward
Galileo argued that when the marble is motion of a marble on an inclined plane;
released from left, it would roll down the slope and (c) on a double inclined plane.
and go up on the opposite side to the same
Newton further studied Galileo’s ideas on
height from which it was released. If the
force and motion and presented three
inclinations of the planes on both sides are
fundamental laws that govern the motion of
equal then the marble will climb the same
objects. These three laws are known as
distance that it covered while rolling down. If
Newton’s laws of motion. The first law of
the angle of inclination of the right-side plane
motion is stated as:
were gradually decreased, then the marble An object remains in a state of rest or of
would travel further distances till it reaches uniform motion in a straight line unless
the original height. If the right-side plane were compelled to change that state by an applied
ultimately made horizontal (that is, the slope force.
is reduced to zero), the marble would continue In other words, all objects resist a change
to travel forever trying to reach the same in their state of motion. In a qualitative way,
height that it was released from. The the tendency of undisturbed objects to stay
unbalanced forces on the marble in this case at rest or to keep moving with the same
are zero. It thus suggests that an unbalanced velocity is called inertia. This is why, the first
(external) force is required to change the law of motion is also known as the law of
motion of the marble but no net force is inertia.
needed to sustain the uniform motion of the Certain experiences that we come across
marble. In practical situations it is difficult while travelling in a motorcar can be
to achieve a zero unbalanced force. This is explained on the basis of the law of inertia.
because of the presence of the frictional force We tend to remain at rest with respect to the
acting opposite to the direction of motion. seat until the driver applies a braking force
Thus, in practice the marble stops after to stop the motorcar. With the application of
travelling some distance. The effect of the brakes, the car slows down but our body
frictional force may be minimised by using a tends to continue in the same state of motion
smooth marble and a smooth plane and because of its inertia. A sudden application
providing a lubricant on top of the planes. of brakes may thus cause injury to us by

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 impact or collision with the panels in front.
Galileo Galilei was born
Safety belts are worn to prevent such
on 15 February 1564 in
Pisa, Italy. Galileo, right accidents. Safety belts exert a force on our
from his childhood, had body to make the forward motion slower. An
interest in mathematics opposite experience is encountered when we
and natural philosophy. are standing in a bus and the bus begins to
But his father move suddenly. Now we tend to fall
Vincenzo Galilei wanted backwards. This is because the sudden start
him to become a medical of the bus brings motion to the bus as well
doctor. Accordingly, as to our feet in contact with the floor of the
Galileo Galilei
Galileo enrolled himself (1564 – 1642) bus. But the rest of our body opposes this
for a medical degree at the motion because of its inertia.
University of Pisa in 1581 which he never When a motorcar makes a sharp turn at
completed because of his real interest in a high speed, we tend to get thrown to one
mathematics. In 1586, he wrote his first
side. This can again be explained on the basis
scientific book ‘The Little Balance [La
of the law of inertia. We tend to continue in
Balancitta]’, in which he described
Archimedes’ method of finding the relative our straight-line motion. When an
densities (or specific gravities) of substances unbalanced force is applied by the engine to
using a balance. In 1589, in his series of change the direction of motion of the
essays – De Motu, he presented his theories motorcar, we slip to one side of the seat due
about falling objects using an inclined plane to the inertia of our body.
to slow down the rate of descent. The fact that a body will remain at rest
In 1592, he was appointed professor of unless acted upon by an unbalanced force
mathematics at the University of Padua in can be illustrated through the following
the Republic of Venice. Here he continued his activities:
observations on the theory of motion and
through his study of inclined planes and the Activity ______________ 9.1
pendulum, formulated the correct law for
uniformly accelerated objects that the • Make a pile of similar carom coins on
distance the object moves is proportional to a table, as shown in Fig. 9.6.
the square of the time taken. • Attempt a sharp horizontal hit at the
Galileo was also a remarkable craftsman. bottom of the pile using another carom
He developed a series of telescopes whose coin or the striker. If the hit is strong
optical performance was much better than enough, the bottom coin moves out
that of other telescopes available during those quickly. Once the lowest coin is
days. Around 1640, he designed the first removed, the inertia of the other coins
pendulum clock. In his book ‘Starry makes them ‘fall’ vertically on the table.
Messenger’ on his astronomical discoveries,
Galileo claimed to have seen mountains on
the moon, the milky way made up of tiny
stars, and four small bodies orbiting Jupiter.
In his books ‘Discourse on Floating Bodies’
and ‘Letters on the Sunspots’, he disclosed
his observations of sunspots.
Using his own telescopes and through his
observations on Saturn and Venus, Galileo
argued that all the planets must orbit the Sun
Fig. 9.6: Only the carom coin at the bottom of a
and not the earth, contrary to what was
pile is removed when a fast moving carom
believed at that time. coin (or striker) hits it.

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 Activity ______________ 9.2 five-rupees coin if we use a one-rupee coin, we
find that a lesser force is required to perform
• Set a five-rupee coin on a stiff card the activity. A force that is just enough to
covering an empty glass tumbler cause a small cart to pick up a large velocity
standing on a table as shown in will produce a negligible change in the motion
Fig. 9.7. of a train. This is because, in comparison to
• Give the card a sharp horizontal flick
the cart the train has a much lesser tendency
with a finger. If we do it fast then the
card shoots away, allowing the coin to to change its state of motion. Accordingly, we
fall vertically into the glass tumbler due say that the train has more inertia than the
to its inertia. cart. Clearly, heavier or more massive objects
• The inertia of the coin tries to maintain offer larger inertia. Quantitatively, the inertia
its state of rest even when the card of an object is measured by its mass. We may
flows off. thus relate inertia and mass as follows:
Inertia is the natural tendency of an object to
resist a change in its state of motion or of
rest. The mass of an object is a measure of
its inertia.

Q
uestions
Fig. 9.7: When the card is flicked with the
1. Which of the following has more
finger the coin placed over it falls in the
tumbler. inertia: (a) a rubber ball and a
stone of the same size? (b) a
bicycle and a train? (c) a five-
Activity ______________ 9.3 rupees coin and a one-rupee coin?
• Place a water-filled tumbler on a tray. 2. In the following example, try to
• Hold the tray and turn around as fast identify the number of times the
as you can. velocity of the ball changes:
• We observe that the water spills. Why? “A football player kicks a football
to another player of his team who
Observe that a groove is provided in a kicks the football towards the
saucer for placing the tea cup. It prevents goal. The goalkeeper of the
the cup from toppling over in case of sudden opposite team collects the football
jerks. and kicks it towards a player of
his own team”.
9.3 Inertia and Mass Also identify the agent supplying
the force in each case.
All the examples and activities given so far 3. Explain why some of the leaves
illustrate that there is a resistance offered by may get detached from a tree if
an object to change its state of motion. If it is we vigorously shake its branch.
at rest it tends to remain at rest; if it is moving 4. Why do you fall in the forward
it tends to keep moving. This property of an direction when a moving bus
object is called its inertia. Do all bodies have brakes to a stop and fall
the same inertia? We know that it is easier to backwards when it accelerates
push an empty box than a box full of books. from rest?
Similarly, if we kick a football it flies away.
But if we kick a stone of the same size with
equal force, it hardly moves. We may, in fact,
9.4 Second Law of Motion
get an injury in our foot while doing so! The first law of motion indicates that when
Similarly, in activity 9.2, instead of a an unbalanced external force acts on an

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object, its velocity changes, that is, the object change the momentum of an object depends
gets an acceleration. We would now like to on the time rate at which the momentum is
study how the acceleration of an object changed.
depends on the force applied to it and how The second law of motion states that the
we measure a force. Let us recount some rate of change of momentum of an object is
observations from our everyday life. During proportional to the applied unbalanced force
the game of table tennis if the ball hits a player in the direction of force.
it does not hurt him. On the other hand, when
a fast moving cricket ball hits a spectator, it 9.4.1 MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION OF
may hurt him. A truck at rest does not require
SECOND LAW OF MOTION
any attention when parked along a roadside.
But a moving truck, even at speeds as low as Suppose an object of mass, m is moving along
5 m s–1, may kill a person standing in its path. a straight line with an initial velocity, u. It is
A small mass, such as a bullet may kill a uniformly accelerated to velocity, v in time, t
person when fired from a gun. These by the application of a constant force, F
observations suggest that the impact throughout the time, t. The initial and final
produced by the objects depends on their momentum of the object will be, p1 = mu and
mass and velocity. Similarly, if an object is to p2 = mv respectively.
be accelerated, we know that a greater force
The change in momentum ∝ p2 – p1
is required to give a greater velocity. In other ∝ mv – mu
words, there appears to exist some quantity ∝ m × (v – u).
of importance that combines the object’s
mass and its velocity. One such property m × (v − u )
The rate of change of momentum ∝
called momentum was introduced by Newton. t
The momentum, p of an object is defined as Or, the applied force,
the product of its mass, m and velocity, v.
That is, m × (v − u )
F∝
p = mv (9.1) t

Momentum has both direction and km × (v − u )

F= (9.2)
magnitude. Its direction is the same as that t
of velocity, v. The SI unit of momentum is = kma (9.3)
kilogram-metre per second (kg m s-1). Since
the application of an unbalanced force brings Here a [ = (v – u)/t ] is the acceleration,
a change in the velocity of the object, it is which is the rate of change of velocity. The
therefore clear that a force also produces a quantity, k is a constant of proportionality.
change of momentum. The SI units of mass and acceleration are kg
Let us consider a situation in which a car and m s-2 respectively. The unit of force is so
with a dead battery is to be pushed along a chosen that the value of the constant, k
straight road to give it a speed of 1 m s-1, becomes one. For this, one unit of force is
which is sufficient to start its engine. If one defined as the amount that produces an
or two persons give a sudden push acceleration of 1 m s-2 in an object of 1 kg
(unbalanced force) to it, it hardly starts. But mass. That is,
a continuous push over some time results in 1 unit of force = k × (1 kg) × (1 m s-2).
a gradual acceleration of the car to this speed.
It means that the change of momentum of Thus, the value of k becomes 1. From Eq. (9.3)
the car is not only determined by the F = ma (9.4)
magnitude of the force but also by the time
-2
during which the force is exerted. It may then The unit of force is kg m s or newton,
also be concluded that the force necessary to which has the symbol N. The second law of

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motion gives us a method to measure the The first law of motion can be
force acting on an object as a product of its mathematically stated from the mathematical
mass and acceleration. expression for the second law of motion. Eq.
The second law of motion is often seen in (9.4) is
action in our everyday life. Have you noticed
that while catching a fast moving cricket ball, F = ma
a fielder in the ground gradually pulls his m (v − u )
hands backwards with the moving ball? In or F= (9.5)
t
doing so, the fielder increases the time during
or Ft = mv – mu
which the high velocity of the moving ball
decreases to zero. Thus, the acceleration of That is, when F = 0, v = u for whatever time,
the ball is decreased and therefore the impact t is taken. This means that the object will
of catching the fast moving ball (Fig. 9.8) is continue moving with uniform velocity, u
also reduced. If the ball is stopped suddenly throughout the time, t. If u is zero then v will
then its high velocity decreases to zero in a also be zero. That is, the object will remain
very short interval of time. Thus, the rate of
at rest.
change of momentum of the ball will be large.
Therefore, a large force would have to be
applied for holding the catch that may hurt Example 9.1 A constant force acts on an
the palm of the fielder. In a high jump athletic object of mass 5 kg for a duration of
event, the athletes are made to fall either on 2 s. It increases the object’s velocity
a cushioned bed or on a sand bed. This is to from 3 m s–1 to 7 m s -1. Find the
increase the time of the athlete’s fall to stop magnitude of the applied force. Now, if
after making the jump. This decreases the the force was applied for a duration of
rate of change of momentum and hence the 5 s, what would be the final velocity of
force. Try to ponder how a karate player the object?
breaks a slab of ice with a single blow.
Solution:
We have been given that u = 3 m s–1
and v = 7 m s-1, t = 2 s and m = 5 kg.
From Eq. (9.5) we have,
m (v − u )
F =
t
Substitution of values in this relation
gives
F = 5 kg (7 m s-1 – 3 m s-1)/2 s = 10 N.
Now, if this force is applied for a
duration of 5 s (t = 5 s), then the final
velocity can be calculated by rewriting
Eq. (9.5) as
Ft
v=u+
m
On substituting the values of u, F, m
and t, we get the final velocity,
Fig. 9.8: A fielder pulls his hands gradually with the v = 13 m s-1.
moving ball while holding a catch.

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 Solution:
Example 9.2 Which would require a
greater force –– accelerating a 2 kg mass From Eq. (9.4) we have m1 = F/a1; and
at 5 m s–2 or a 4 kg mass at 2 m s-2 ? m2 = F/a2. Here, a1 = 10 m s-2;
a2 = 20 m s-2 and F = 5 N.
Solution:
Thus, m1 = 5 N/10 m s-2 = 0.50 kg; and
From Eq. (9.4), we have F = ma. m2 = 5 N/20 m s-2 = 0.25 kg.
Here we have m1 = 2 kg; a1 = 5 m s-2 If the two masses were tied together,
and m2 = 4 kg; a2 = 2 m s-2. the total mass, m would be
Thus, F1 = m1a1 = 2 kg × 5 m s-2 = 10 N; m = 0.50 kg + 0.25 kg = 0.75 kg.
and F2 = m2a2 = 4 kg × 2 m s-2 = 8 N. The acceleration, a produced in the
⇒ F1 > F2. combined mass by the 5 N force would
Thus, accelerating a 2 kg mass at be, a = F/m = 5 N/0.75 kg = 6.67 m s-2.
5 m s-2 would require a greater force.

Example 9.5 The velocity-time graph of a

Example 9.3 A motorcar is moving with a ball of mass 20 g moving along a
velocity of 108 km/h and it takes 4 s to straight line on a long table is given in
stop after the brakes are applied. Fig. 9.9.
Calculate the force exerted by the
brakes on the motorcar if its mass along
with the passengers is 1000 kg.

Solution:
The initial velocity of the motorcar
u = 108 km/h
= 108 × 1000 m/(60 × 60 s)
= 30 m s-1
and the final velocity of the motorcar
v = 0 m s-1.
The total mass of the motorcar along Fig. 9.9
with its passengers = 1000 kg and the
time taken to stop the motorcar, t = 4 s. How much force does the table exert
From Eq. (9.5) we have the magnitude on the ball to bring it to rest?
of the force (F) applied by the brakes as
m(v – u)/t. Solution:
On substituting the values, we get The initial velocity of the ball is 20 cm s-1.
F = 1000 kg × (0 – 30) m s-1/4 s Due to the frictional force exerted by the
= – 7500 kg m s-2 or – 7500 N. table, the velocity of the ball decreases
The negative sign tells us that the force down to zero in 10 s. Thus, u = 20 cm s–1;
exerted by the brakes is opposite to the v = 0 cm s-1 and t = 10 s. Since the
direction of motion of the motorcar. velocity-time graph is a straight line, it is
clear that the ball moves with a constant
acceleration. The acceleration a is
Example 9.4 A force of 5 N gives a mass
m1, an acceleration of 10 m s–2 and a v −u
a =
mass m2, an acceleration of 20 m s-2. t
What acceleration would it give if both = (0 cm s-1 – 20 cm s-1)/10 s
the masses were tied together? = –2 cm s-2 = –0.02 m s-2.

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 The force exerted on the ball F is,
F = ma = (20/1000) kg × (– 0.02 m s-2)
= – 0.0004 N.
The negative sign implies that the
frictional force exerted by the table is
Fig. 9.10: Action and reaction forces are equal and
opposite to the direction of motion of
opposite.
the ball.
Suppose you are standing at rest and
intend to start walking on a road. You must
9.5 Third Law of Motion accelerate, and this requires a force in
accordance with the second law of motion.
The first two laws of motion tell us how an
Which is this force? Is it the muscular effort
applied force changes the motion and provide
you exert on the road? Is it in the direction
us with a method of determining the force.
we intend to move? No, you push the road
The third law of motion states that when one
below backwards. The road exerts an equal
object exerts a force on another object, the
and opposite force on your feet to make you
second object instantaneously exerts a force
move forward.
back on the first. These two forces are always
It is important to note that even though
equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
the action and reaction forces are always
These forces act on different objects and never
equal in magnitude, these forces may not
on the same object. In the game of football
produce accelerations of equal magnitudes.
sometimes we, while looking at the football
This is because each force acts on a different
and trying to kick it with a greater force,
object that may have a different mass.
collide with a player of the opposite team.
When a gun is fired, it exerts a forward
Both feel hurt because each applies a force
force on the bullet. The bullet exerts an equal
to the other. In other words, there is a pair of
and opposite force on the gun. This results in
forces and not just one force. The two
the recoil of the gun (Fig. 9.11). Since the gun
opposing forces are also known as action and
has a much greater mass than the bullet, the
reaction forces.
acceleration of the gun is much less than the
Let us consider two spring balances
acceleration of the bullet. The third law of
connected together as shown in Fig. 9.10. The
motion can also be illustrated when a sailor
fixed end of balance B is attached with a rigid
jumps out of a rowing boat. As the sailor
support, like a wall. When a force is applied
jumps forward, the force on the boat moves it
through the free end of spring balance A, it is
backwards (Fig. 9.12).
observed that both the spring balances show
the same readings on their scales. It means
that the force exerted by spring balance A on
balance B is equal but opposite in direction
to the force exerted by the balance B on
balance A. Any of these two forces can be called
as action and the other as reaction. This gives
us an alternative statement of the third law of
motion i.e., to every action there is an equal
and opposite reaction. However, it must be
remembered that the action and reaction
Fig. 9.11: A forward force on the bullet and recoil of
always act on two different objects,
the gun.
simultaneously.

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 The cart shown in this activity can be
constructed by using a 12 mm or 18 mm thick
plywood board of about 50 cm × 100 cm with
two pairs of hard ball-bearing wheels (skate
wheels are good to use). Skateboards are not
as effective because it is difficult to maintain
straight-line motion.

9.6 Conservation of Momentum

Suppose two objects (two balls A and B, say)
of masses mA and mB are travelling in the same
Fig. 9.12: As the sailor jumps in forward direction,
direction along a straight line at different
the boat moves backwards.
velocities uA and uB, respectively [Fig. 9.14(a)].
And there are no other external unbalanced
Activity ______________ 9.4 forces acting on them. Let uA > uB and the
two balls collide with each other as shown in
• Request two children to stand on two Fig. 9.14(b). During collision which lasts for
separate carts as shown in Fig. 9.13. a time t, the ball A exerts a force FAB on ball B
• Give them a bag full of sand or some
and the ball B exerts a force FBA on ball A.
other heavy object. Ask them to play a
Suppose vA and vB are the velocities of the
game of catch with the bag.
• Does each of them experience an two balls A and B after the collision,
instantaneous force as a result of respectively [Fig. 9.14(c)].
throwing the sand bag?
• You can paint a white line on
cartwheels to observe the motion of the
two carts when the children throw the
bag towards each other.

Fig. 9.14: Conservation of momentum in collision of

two balls.

From Eq. (9.1), the momenta (plural of

momentum) of ball A before and after the
collision are mAuA and mAvA, respectively. The
rate of change of its momentum (or FAB)
(v A − u A )
during the collision will be m A .
t
Similarly, the rate of change of momentum of
Fig. 9.13 ball B (= FBA) during the collision will be
(v B − u B )
Now, place two children on one cart and mB .
one on another cart. The second law of motion t
can be seen, as this arrangement would show According to the third law of motion,
different accelerations for the same force. the force FAB exerted by ball A on ball B

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and the force FBA exerted by the ball B on ball Activity ______________ 9.6
A must be equal and opposite to each other.
Therefore, • Take a test tube of good quality glass
FAB = – FBA (9.6) material and put a small amount of
water in it. Place a stop cork at the
(v A − u A ) (v B − u B )
or mA = – mB . mouth of it.
t t • Now suspend the test tube horizontally
This gives, by two strings or wires as shown in
Fig. 9.16.
mAuA + mBuB = mAvA + mBvB (9.7) • Heat the test tube with a burner until
Since (mAuA + mBuB) is the total momentum water vaporises and the cork blows out.
of the two balls A and B before the collision • Observe that the test tube recoils in
and (mAvA + mBvB) is their total momentum the direction opposite to the direction
of the cork.
after the collision, from Eq. (9.7) we observe
that the total momentum of the two balls
remains unchanged or conserved provided no
other external force acts.
As a result of this ideal collision
experiment, we say that the sum of momenta
of the two objects before collision is equal to
the sum of momenta after the collision
provided there is no external unbalanced
force acting on them. This is known as the
law of conservation of momentum. This
statement can alternatively be given as the
total momentum of the two objects is
unchanged or conserved by the collision.

Activity ______________ 9.5

• Take a big rubber balloon and inflate Fig. 9.16
it fully. Tie its neck using a thread. Also
using adhesive tape, fix a straw on the
• Also, observe the difference in the
surface of this balloon.
velocity the cork appears to have and
• Pass a thread through the straw and
that of the recoiling test tube.
hold one end of the thread in your hand
or fix it on the wall.
• Ask your friend to hold the other end Example 9.6 A bullet of mass 20 g is
of the thread or fix it on a wall at some horizontally fired with a velocity
distance. This arrangement is shown
in Fig. 9.15.
150 m s-1 from a pistol of mass 2 kg.
• Now remove the thread tied on the neck What is the recoil velocity of the pistol?
of balloon. Let the air escape from the
mouth of the balloon. Solution:
• Observe the direction in which the We have the mass of bullet,
straw moves.
m1 = 20 g (= 0.02 kg) and the mass of
the pistol, m2 = 2 kg; initial velocities of
the bullet (u 1) and pistol (u 2) = 0,
respectively. The final velocity of the
bullet, v1 = + 150 m s-1. The direction
of bullet is taken from left to right
(positive, by convention, Fig. 9.17). Let
Fig. 9.15 v be the recoil velocity of the pistol.

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 Total momenta of the pistol and bullet
Example 9.7 A girl of mass 40 kg jumps
before the fire, when the gun is at rest
with a horizontal velocity of 5 m s-1 onto
= (2 + 0.02) kg × 0 m s–1
a stationary cart with frictionless
= 0 kg m s–1
wheels. The mass of the cart is 3 kg.
Total momenta of the pistol and bullet
What is her velocity as the cart starts
after it is fired
moving? Assume that there is no
= 0.02 kg × (+ 150 m s–1)
+ 2 kg × v m s–1 external unbalanced force working in
= (3 + 2v) kg m s–1 the horizontal direction.
According to the law of conservation of Solution:
momentum
Total momenta after the fire = Total Let v be the velocity of the girl on the
momenta before the fire cart as the cart starts moving.
3 + 2v = 0 The total momenta of the girl and cart
⇒ v = − 1.5 m s–1. before the interaction
Negative sign indicates that the = 40 kg × 5 m s–1 + 3 kg × 0 m s–1
direction in which the pistol would = 200 kg m s–1.
recoil is opposite to that of bullet, that
is, right to left. Total momenta after the interaction
= (40 + 3) kg × v m s–1
= 43 v kg m s–1.
According to the law of conservation of
momentum, the total momentum is
conserved during the interaction.
That is,
43 v = 200
⇒ v = 200/43 = + 4.65 m s–1.
The girl on cart would move with a
velocity of 4.65 m s–1 in the direction in
Fig. 9.17: Recoil of a pistol which the girl jumped (Fig. 9.18).

(a) (b)
Fig. 9.18: The girl jumps onto the cart.

FORCE AND LAWS OF MOTION 125

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 If v is the velocity of the two entangled
Example 9.8 Two hockey players of
players after the collision, the total
opposite teams, while trying to hit a
momentum then
hockey ball on the ground collide and
= (m1 + m2) × v
immediately become entangled. One = (60 + 55) kg × v m s–1
has a mass of 60 kg and was moving = 115 × v kg m s–1.
with a velocity 5.0 m s–1 while the other Equating the momenta of the system
has a mass of 55 kg and was moving before and after collision, in accordance
faster with a velocity 6.0 m s–1 towards with the law of conservation of
the first player. In which direction and momentum, we get
with what velocity will they move after v = – 30/115
they become entangled? Assume that = – 0.26 m s–1.
the frictional force acting between the Thus, the two entangled players would
feet of the two players and ground is move with velocity 0.26 m s–1 from right
negligible. to left, that is, in the direction the
second player was moving before
Solution: the collision.

Fig. 9.19: A collision of two hockey players: (a) before collision and (b) after collision.

Let the first player be moving from left

uestions

Q
to right. By convention left to right is
taken as the positive direction and thus
1. If action is always equal to the
right to left is the negative direction (Fig.
9.19). If symbols m and u represent the reaction, explain how a horse can
mass and initial velocity of the two pull a cart.
players, respectively. Subscripts 1 and 2. Explain, why is it difficult for a
2 in these physical quantities refer to fireman to hold a hose, which
the two hockey players. Thus, ejects large amounts of water at
m1 = 60 kg; u1 = + 5 m s-1; and a high velocity.
m2 = 55 kg; u2 = – 6 m s-1. 3. From a rifle of mass 4 kg, a bullet
The total momentum of the two players of mass 50 g is fired with an
before the collision initial velocity of 35 m s –1 .
= 60 kg × (+ 5 m s-1) + Calculate the initial recoil velocity
55 kg × (– 6 m s-1)
of the rifle.
= – 30 kg m s-1

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 4. Two objects of masses 100 g and They collide and after the
200 g are moving along the same collision, the first object moves at
line and direction with velocities a velocity of 1.67 m s–1. Determine
of 2 m s–1 and 1 m s–1, respectively. the velocity of the second object.

CONSERVATION LAWS
All conservation laws such as conservation of momentum, energy, angular momentum,
charge etc. are considered to be fundamental laws in physics. These are based on
observations and experiments. It is important to remember that a conservation law cannot
be proved. It can be verified, or disproved, by experiments. An experiment whose result is
in conformity with the law verifies or substantiates the law; it does not prove the law. On
the other hand, a single experiment whose result goes against the law is enough to disprove
it.
The law of conservation of momentum has been deduced from large number of
observations and experiments. This law was formulated nearly three centuries ago. It is
interesting to note that not a single situation has been realised so far, which contradicts
this law. Several experiences of every-day life can be explained on the basis of the law of
conservation of momentum.

What
you have
learnt
• First law of motion: An object continues to be in a state of rest
or of uniform motion along a straight line unless acted upon
by an unbalanced force.
• The natural tendency of objects to resist a change in their state
of rest or of uniform motion is called inertia.
• The mass of an object is a measure of its inertia. Its SI unit is
kilogram (kg).
• Force of friction always opposes motion of objects.
• Second law of motion: The rate of change of momentum of an
object is proportional to the applied unbalanced force in the
direction of the force.
• The SI unit of force is kg m s–2. This is also known as newton
and represented by the symbol N. A force of one newton
produces an acceleration of 1 m s–2 on an object of mass 1 kg.
• The momentum of an object is the product of its mass and
velocity and has the same direction as that of the velocity. Its
SI unit is kg m s–1.
• Third law of motion: To every action, there is an equal and
opposite reaction and they act on two different bodies.
• In an isolated system (where there is no external force), the
total momentum remains conserved.
FORCE AND LAWS OF MOTION 127

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 Exercises
1. An object experiences a net zero external unbalanced force. Is
it possible for the object to be travelling with a non-zero velocity?
If yes, state the conditions that must be placed on the
magnitude and direction of the velocity. If no, provide a reason.
2. When a carpet is beaten with a stick, dust comes out of it.
Explain.
3. Why is it advised to tie any luggage kept on the roof of a bus
with a rope?
4. A batsman hits a cricket ball which then rolls on a level ground.
After covering a short distance, the ball comes to rest. The ball
slows to a stop because
(a) the batsman did not hit the ball hard enough.
(b) velocity is proportional to the force exerted on the ball.
(c) there is a force on the ball opposing the motion.
(d) there is no unbalanced force on the ball, so the ball would
want to come to rest.
5. A truck starts from rest and rolls down a hill with a constant
acceleration. It travels a distance of 400 m in 20 s. Find its
acceleration. Find the force acting on it if its mass is
7 tonnes (Hint: 1 tonne = 1000 kg.)
6. A stone of 1 kg is thrown with a velocity of 20 m s–1 across
the frozen surface of a lake and comes to rest after travelling
a distance of 50 m. What is the force of friction between the
stone and the ice?
7. A 8000 kg engine pulls a train of 5 wagons, each of 2000 kg,
along a horizontal track. If the engine exerts a force of 40000 N
and the track offers a friction force of 5000 N, then calculate:
(a) the net accelerating force and
(b) the acceleration of the train.
8. An automobile vehicle has a mass of 1500 kg. What must
be the force between the vehicle and road if the vehicle is to
be stopped with a negative acceleration of 1.7 m s–2?
9. What is the momentum of an object of mass m, moving with a
velocity v?
(a) (mv)2 (b) mv2 (c) ½ mv2 (d) mv
10. Using a horizontal force of 200 N, we intend to move a wooden
cabinet across a floor at a constant velocity. What is the friction
force that will be exerted on the cabinet?
11. Two objects, each of mass 1.5 kg, are moving in the same
straight line but in opposite directions. The velocity of each
object is 2.5 m s-1 before the collision during which they

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 stick together. What will be the velocity of the combined
object after collision?
12. According to the third law of motion when we push on an object,
the object pushes back on us with an equal and opposite force.
If the object is a massive truck parked along the roadside, it
will probably not move. A student justifies this by answering
that the two opposite and equal forces cancel each other.
Comment on this logic and explain why the truck does not
move.
13. A hockey ball of mass 200 g travelling at 10 m s–1 is struck by
a hockey stick so as to return it along its original path with a
velocity at 5 m s–1. Calculate the magnitude of change of
momentum occurred in the motion of the hockey ball by the
force applied by the hockey stick.
14. A bullet of mass 10 g travelling horizontally with a velocity of
150 m s–1 strikes a stationary wooden block and comes to rest
in 0.03 s. Calculate the distance of penetration of the bullet
into the block. Also calculate the magnitude of the force exerted
by the wooden block on the bullet.
15. An object of mass 1 kg travelling in a straight line with a velocity
of 10 m s–1 collides with, and sticks to, a stationary wooden
block of mass 5 kg. Then they both move off together in the
same straight line. Calculate the total momentum just before
the impact and just after the impact. Also, calculate the velocity
of the combined object.
16. An object of mass 100 kg is accelerated uniformly from a velocity
of 5 m s–1 to 8 m s–1 in 6 s. Calculate the initial and final
momentum of the object. Also, find the magnitude of the force
exerted on the object.
17. Akhtar, Kiran and Rahul were riding in a motorcar that was
moving with a high velocity on an expressway when an insect
hit the windshield and got stuck on the windscreen. Akhtar
and Kiran started pondering over the situation. Kiran suggested
that the insect suffered a greater change in momentum as
compared to the change in momentum of the motorcar (because
the change in the velocity of the insect was much more than
that of the motorcar). Akhtar said that since the motorcar was
moving with a larger velocity, it exerted a larger force on the
insect. And as a result the insect died. Rahul while putting an
entirely new explanation said that both the motorcar and the
insect experienced the same force and a change in their
momentum. Comment on these suggestions.
18. How much momentum will a dumb-bell of mass 10 kg transfer
to the floor if it falls from a height of 80 cm? Take its downward
acceleration to be 10 m s–2.

FORCE AND LAWS OF MOTION 129

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 Additional
Exercises
A1. The following is the distance-time table of an object in motion:
Time in seconds Distance in metres
0 0
1 1
2 8
3 27
4 64
5 125
6 216
7 343
(a) What conclusion can you draw about the acceleration?
Is it constant, increasing, decreasing, or zero?
(b) What do you infer about the forces acting on the object?
A2. Two persons manage to push a motorcar of mass 1200 kg at a
uniform velocity along a level road. The same motorcar can be
pushed by three persons to produce an acceleration of
0.2 m s-2. With what force does each person push the motorcar?
(Assume that all persons push the motorcar with the same
muscular effort.)
A3. A hammer of mass 500 g, moving at 50 m s-1, strikes a nail.
The nail stops the hammer in a very short time of 0.01 s. What
is the force of the nail on the hammer?
A4. A motorcar of mass 1200 kg is moving along a straight line
with a uniform velocity of 90 km/h. Its velocity is slowed down
to 18 km/h in 4 s by an unbalanced external force. Calculate
the acceleration and change in momentum. Also calculate the
magnitude of the force required.

130 SCIENCE

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