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Here on some good points on How to solve Newton’s Law problems
Understand the Problem:
- Read the problem carefully and determine what is being asked.
- Identify the key elements involved, like forces, masses, accelerations, distances, or time intervals.
Draw a Diagram:
- Draw a neat diagram of the system.
- Firstly consider the origin of the forces acting on the each object. To do this find out the field forces acting on the each object. Wherever contact in available account the contact force carefully
- Isolate the body whose motion is to be analyzed. Draw a free-body diagram for this body. For systems containing more than one objects, draw separate free-body diagrams for each objects This way there will not any confusion about the force acting on each object.Newtons Third law will help in obtaining the action reaction pair. Do not include in the free-body diagram forces exerted by the object on its surroundings. Establish convenient coordinate axes for each objects and find the components of the forces along these axes.
- Use pseudo force if viewing from the non inertial frame of reference
Apply Newton’s Laws:
- Apply Newton’s second law, F= ma, in component form.
Solve for the Unknowns:
- Solve the component equations for the unknowns. Remember that you must have as many independent equations as you have unknowns to obtain acomplete solution.
Check Your Work:
- Make sure your results are consistent with the free-body diagram.
- Ensure the solution makes sense physically.
- Check the units of your final answer.
- Revisit the problem statement to ensure you’ve answered all part
Additional Help
- If the object are attached to each others by the strings,then make use of constraints theory to find out the acceleration equation between the objects
- In some problems, you might need to consider concepts like conservation of momentum or energy.
- Friction, air resistance, or other non-ideal conditions may also play a role.
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