Practice question · Put in order
Order the steps for solving a Newton's second law problem.
- Substitute known values
- Draw a free-body diagram
- Choose a coordinate system
- Solve for the unknown
- Write for each axis
Hints
- Nothing can be summed until every force is drawn and labelled.
- Choosing axes before resolving components saves sign errors later.
Show the answer
- Draw a free-body diagram
- Choose a coordinate system
- Write for each axis
- Substitute known values
- Solve for the unknown
Why
This systematic approach prevents sign and direction errors.
Practise Newton's Laws of Motion
The app has 7 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Physics I is free to start.
More questions on Newton's Laws of Motion
- A horse pulls a cart. By Newton’s third law the cart pulls back on the horse just as hard. How can the pair…
- A book rests on a table. Sort each force pairing: is it a genuine Newton’s third-law pair?
- Newton's first law states that an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by a net external…
- Match each of Newton's laws to its key concept.
- Which forces act on a book resting on a table? (Select all that apply)