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VICSpecialist MathematicsQuick questions

Unit 4: Mechanics

Quick questions on Mechanics forces and Newton's laws: VCE Specialist Mathematics Unit 4

10short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is first law?
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A particle continues at rest or in uniform straight-line motion unless a non-zero resultant force acts. This defines the natural state and identifies acceleration as the signature of a net force.
What is second law?
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The resultant force on a particle equals its mass times its acceleration:
What is third law?
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When body A exerts a force on body B, body B exerts an equal and opposite force on A. These act on different bodies, so they do not cancel on a single particle.
What is resolve along and perpendicular to the incline?
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The weight mg=5×9.8=49 Nmg = 5\times 9.8 = 49\ \text{N} splits into:
What is normal reaction?
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Perpendicular to the slope there is no acceleration, so N=mgcos⁡30∘≈42.4 NN = mg\cos 30^\circ \approx 42.4\ \text{N}.
What is friction?
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The block slides down, so friction acts up the slope with magnitude
What is wrong direction for friction?
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Friction opposes motion (or impending motion). For a block sliding down, friction acts up the slope.
What is q1?
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State Newton's second law as an equation. [1 mark]
What is q2?
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A 3 kg3\ \text{kg} object has a resultant force of 12 N12\ \text{N}. Find its acceleration. [1 mark]
What is q3?
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Resolve the weight of a 10 kg10\ \text{kg} block on a 20∘20^\circ incline into components along the slope. [2 marks]

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