Newton’s

Laws of
Motion
 INTRODUCTION
Sir Isaac Newton published three laws
in the 17th century. In this article, we
are going to talk about Newton’s 1st
law. This law does an introduction of
motion of the object and the force
acting on it. In other words, it deals
with the motion of an object and its
relation to force.
 Newton’s First Law
The first law of motion simply means that
things cannot start, stop, or change
direction all by themselves.  It requires
some force from the outside to cause
such a change. This property of massive
bodies to resist changes in their state of
motion is called inertia. Newton’s first law
is also known as the law of inertia.
1st Law
 Inertia is the
tendency of an
object to
resist changes
in its velocity:
whether in
motion or
motionless. These pumpkins will not move
unless acted on by an unbalanced
force.
There are two conditions on which the
1st law of motion is dependent:
Objects at rest: When an object is at rest
velocity (v= 0) and acceleration (a = 0) are
zero. Therefore, the object continues to be at
rest.
Objects in motion: When an object is in
motion, velocity is not equal to zero (v ≠ 0)
while acceleration (a = 0) is equal to zero.
Therefore, the object will continue to be in
motion with constant velocity and in the
same direction.
 Let us Understand First Law of Motion by
an Example
Let us take a block on a smooth surface. By
smooth, we mean that there is no friction
acting on the surface. The block is at rest,
that is, it is not moving.
Now, let us examine the forces acting on the
block. The only forces acting on the block are
the force of gravity and the normal reaction
by the surface. There is no force acting on it
in the horizontal direction. Since the forces in
the vertical direction are equal to each other
in magnitude, they cancel each other out,
and hence there is no external force on the
block. Since this block is at rest, we can say
that it confirms Newton’s first law of Motion.
Let us Understand First Law of Motion by
an Example
Now, if we apply a constant force (F) on the
block in a horizontal direction, it will start
moving with some constant acceleration, in the
direction of the applied force.
Newton’s First Law Example in
our Daily Life
Wearing a seat belt in a car while driving is an example
of Newton’s 1st law of motion. If an accident occurs, or if
brakes are applied to the car suddenly, the body will
tend to continue its inertia and move forward, probably
proving fatal. To prevent such accidents seat belts are
used which stops your body from moving forward in
inertia avoiding danger.
 Newton’s Second Law
Newton’s second law states that the acceleration
of an object depends upon two variables – the
net force acting on the object and the mass of the
object.  The acceleration of the body is directly
proportional to the net force acting on the body
and inversely proportional to the mass of the
body. This means that as the force acting upon an
object is increased, the acceleration of the object
is increased. Likewise, as the mass of an object is
increased, the acceleration of the object is
decreased.
 Newton’s Second Law
Therefore, Newton’s Second Law can be
formally stated as: the acceleration of an
object as produced by a net force is directly
proportional to the magnitude of the net
force, in the same direction as the net force,
and inversely proportional to the mass of the
object. This statement is expressed in
equation form as,
Fnet
a= and can be rearranged as F = ma
m
 Newton’s Second Law
 When mass is in kilograms and
acceleration is in m/s/s or
m/s², the unit of force is in
Newton (N).
 One newton is equal to the
force required to accelerate
one kilogram of mass at one
meter/second/second.
 N = kg·m/s²
 Application of Second Law
The application of the second law of motion can be
seen in identifying the amount of force needed to
make an object move or to make it stop. Following
are few examples to help you understand this point:

1. Kicking a ball
When we kick a ball we exert force in a specific
direction, which is the direction in which it will
travel. In addition, the stronger the ball is
kicked, the stronger the force we put on it and
the further away it will travel.
 Application of Second Law
2. Pushing a cart
It is easier to push an empty cart in a
supermarket than it is to push a loaded one.
More mass requires more force to accelerate.
3. Two people walking
Among the two people walking, if one is
heavier than the other then the one weighing
heavier will walk slower because the
acceleration of the person weighing lighter is
greater.
 2nd Law Sample Problems
1. If there is a block of mass 2kg, and a force
of 5N is acting on it in the positive x-
direction, and a force of 3N in the
negative x-direction, then what would be
its acceleration?
To calculate its acceleration, we first have to
calculate the net force acting on it.
Fnet = 5N – 3N = 2N
Mass = 2kg
∴ Acceleration = 2/2  = 1 m/s²
 2nd Law Sample Problems
2. How much horizontal net force is required
to accelerate a 1000 kg car at 4 m/s2?
Solution:
Newton’s 2nd Law relates an object’s mass, the net
force on it, and its acceleration:
Therefore, we can find the force as follows:
Fnet = ma
Substituting the values, we get
1000 kg × 4 m/s2 = 4000 N
Therefore, the horizontal net force is required
to accelerate a 1000 kg car at 4 m/s² is 4000 N.
Check Your Understanding
 1. What acceleration will result when a 12 N net
force applied to a 3 kg object? A 6 kg object?
 2. A net force of 16 N causes a mass to
accelerate at a rate of 5
m/s2. Determine the mass.
 3. How much force is needed to
accelerate a 66 kg skier 1 m/sec/sec?
 4. What is the force on a 1000 kg
elevator that is falling freely at 9.8
m/sec/sec?
Check Your Understanding
 1. What acceleration will result when a 12 N net force
applied to a 3 kg
object?
12 N = 3 kg x 4 m/s/s
 2. A net force of 16 N causes a mass to accelerate at a
rate of 5 m/s2.
Determine the mass.
16 N = 3.2 kg x 5 m/s/s
 3. How much force is needed to accelerate a 66 kg skier
1 m/sec/sec?
66 kg-m/sec/sec or 66 N
 4. What is the force on a 1000 kg elevator that is
falling freely at 9.8 m/sec/sec?
9800 kg-m/sec/sec or 9800 N
 Gravity acts on all objects on the earth’s
surface and causes them to accelerate when
released. This acceleration, known as the
acceleration due to gravity g, is the same for
all objects on earth and is equal 9.8 m/s2.
This means that when objects fall, their
velocities increase by 9.8 m/s every 1
second.
 Try to whirl an object tied to a string
horizontally above your head. Then observe
what happens if you release the object.
How does it travel after release?
 Newton’s Third Law
If an object A exerts a force on object B, then
object B must exert a force of equal
magnitude and opposite direction back on
object A.
This law signifies a particular symmetry in
nature: forces always occur in pairs, and one
body cannot exert a force on another without
experiencing a force itself.
Newton’s Third Law
Examples of Interaction Force Pair
1. A propulsion of fish through water is an
example of action-reaction pair. A fish makes
use of its fins to push water backwards. This
push serves to accelerate the fish forwards. The
size of the force on the water equals the size of
the force on the fish; the direction of the force
on the water (backwards) is opposite the
direction of the force on the fish (forwards).
Examples of Interaction Force Pair
2. The flight of the bird is an example of action-
reaction pair. The wings of the bird push the air
downwards. The air pushes the air upwards.
3. A swimmer pushes against the water, while
the water pushes back on the swimmer.
4. Lift is created by helicopters by pushing the
air down, thereby creating an upward reaction
force.
5. Rock climbers pulling their vertical rope
downwards so as to push themselves upwards.