Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion: Solving a Tricky Equation with Blocks

In summary, Newton's laws of motion are three fundamental principles that describe how objects move and interact with each other. They state that an object will remain at rest or in motion unless acted upon by a force, the force applied to an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration, and for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The tricky equation involving blocks is known as the Newton's second law equation, which is F=ma. Blocks can be used as physical representations to understand these laws, and the process for solving the equation involves identifying known values and solving for the unknown value. Understanding Newton's laws of motion is important for comprehending the physical world and technological advancements.
  • #1
azizlwl
1,066
10
At the instant that one-fourth of block 1 remains on block 2, x2+l=x1+(l/16).

For days trying to figure out how this equation derived from.
Thank You.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3926/kotak.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
azizlwl said:
At the instant that one-fourth of block 1 remains on block 2, x2+l = x1+(l/16).

hi azizlwl! :smile:

(i don't understand why they've put lengths on both sides of the equation, but …)

x1 and x2 are the distances blocks 1 and 2 have moved

since block 1 has to overtake block 2 by (15/16)l, that means x1 - x2 = (15/16)l :wink:
 

Related to Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion: Solving a Tricky Equation with Blocks

1. What are Newton's laws of motion?

Newton's laws of motion are three fundamental principles that describe how objects move and interact with each other. The first law states that an object will remain at rest or in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. The second law states that the force applied to an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. The third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

2. What is the tricky equation involving blocks in relation to Newton's laws of motion?

The tricky equation involving blocks is known as the Newton's second law equation, which is F=ma. This equation relates the force applied to an object (F) to its mass (m) and acceleration (a).

3. How can we use blocks to understand Newton's laws of motion?

Blocks can be used as physical representations of objects to demonstrate the principles of Newton's laws of motion. By manipulating the blocks and observing their motion, we can better understand the concepts of inertia, force, and acceleration.

4. What is the process for solving the tricky equation with blocks?

The first step is to identify the known values, such as the mass of the object and the applied force. Then, plug these values into the equation F=ma and solve for the unknown value. Finally, double-check your calculations and make sure your answer makes sense in the context of the problem.

5. Why is it important to understand Newton's laws of motion?

Understanding Newton's laws of motion is crucial for understanding the physical world around us. These laws govern the motion of objects and are the basis for many technological advancements, such as rockets and cars. By understanding these laws, we can better understand and predict the behavior of objects in our everyday lives.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
180
Replies
66
Views
8K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
21
Views
10K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
21
Views
9K
Replies
64
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Mechanics
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top