Loading video...
Newton's 2nd Law: Multiple Dimensions
- With force in multiple dimensions, we switch to using vectors:
→Fnet
= m · →a, ⇔ (Fxnet, Fynet) = (m ·ax, m ·ay). - We work with each component of the force vector separately. That also means we can break a force vector into its component vectors.
- The normal force is called normal because that means (in math-speak) "perpendicular". A surface can not resist force that is parallel to it.
- If something is on an incline, the portion of gravity that is perpendicular to the surface is cancelled out, but the portion of gravity that is parallel is not.
- Be careful when figuring out how much of the force is parallel! It is very easy to make a mistake and put an angle in the wrong place. Make a diagram and think carefully.
Newton's 2nd Law: Multiple Dimensions
Lecture Slides are screen-captured images of important points in the lecture. Students can download and print out these lecture slide images to do practice problems as well as take notes while watching the lecture.
- Intro
- Newton's 2nd Law in Multiple Dimensions
- Components
- Special Forces
- Normal Forces
- Why Do We Call It the Normal Forces?
- Normal Forces on a Flat Horizontal and Vertical Surface
- Normal Forces on an Incline
- Example 1: A 5kg Block is Pushed By a Force of 3N to the North and a Force of 4N to the East
- Example 2: A 20kg Block is On an Incline of 50° With a Rope Holding It In Place
- Example 3: A 10kg Block is On an Incline of 20° Attached By Rope to a Free-hanging Block of 5kg































Start Learning Now
Our free lessons will get you started (Flash® 10 required).
Sign up for Educator.comGet immediate access to our entire library.
Features Overview