Mechanics: Newton's Laws of Motion

We have 20 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Newton's Laws of Motion. These problem sets focus on situations in which the forces and accelerations are directed along the traditional coordinate axes.



Click a link to open a publicly-available problem set.  If you are a Task Tracker student, open the assignment using the link on the Task Tracker assignment board.


Problem Set NL1 - Mass and Weight 1:  For Earthlings
Mathematically relate the object mass, object weight, for situations on planet Earth. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL2 - Mass and Weight 2:  Out of This World
Mathematically relate the object mass, object weight, and the gravitational field strength for gravitational environments other than Earth's. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL3 - Force Diagrams and Fnet
Given a force diagram with the values of the individual forces, determine the net force experienced by the object. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL4 - Net Force
Given the values of the individual forces acting upon an object – either in words or in a diagram – determine the net force.  Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL5 - Routine Fnet = m•a Problems
Use Newton's second law equation to solve for the value of net force, mass, or acceleration if given the other two quantities. Includes 9 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL6 - Using a = Fnet / m as a Guide to Thinking
Use proportional reasoning and the a = Fnet / m equation to predict the acceleration that results when the net force or mass or both are altered by some factor. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL7 - Force Diagrams and Acceleration
Given a force diagram with the values of the individual forces, determine the object mass, the net force, and the acceleration experienced by the object. Includes 9 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL8 - Newton's Second Law: Calculating Horizontal Acceleration
Given information about the mass and the individual force values for an object, determine the acceleration. All accelerations are horizontal. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL9 - Newton's Second Law: Calculating Vertical Acceleration
Given information about the mass and the individual force values for an object, determine the acceleration. All accelerations are vertical. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL10 - Newton's Second Law: Calculating an Unknown Force
Analyze both horizontal and vertical scenarios to determine an unknown force value if given the acceleration and other information. Includes 9 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL11 - Friction and Mu 1
Solve problems involving the use of a coefficient of friction value.  Most problems are highly scaffolded. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL12 - Friction and Mu 2
Solve problems involving the use of a coefficient of friction value.  Some of the problems are scaffolded. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL13 - Friction and Mu 3
Solve problems involving the use of a coefficient of friction value.  Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL14 - Air Resistance
Analyze a vertical falling situation involving air resistance.  Most situations involve skydiving, parachuting, or airboarding. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL15 - Tension
Analyze situations involving tension forces.  Situations include both static situations and situations involving an acceleration. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL16 - Newton's Second and Third Laws
Analyze situations that require a thorough understanding of Newton's third law and interaction force pairs. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL17 - Fnet = m•a With Kinematic Equations 1
Combine the use of Fnet = m•a with kinematic equations to solve for an unknown. All problems include some degree of scaffolding. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL18 - Fnet = m•a With Kinematic Equations 2
Combine the use of Fnet = m•a with kinematic equations to solve for an unknown. All problems are scaffolded. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL19 - Fnet = m•a With Kinematic Equations 3
Combine the use of Fnet = m•a with kinematic equations to solve for an unknown. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set NL20 - Two-Body Problems
Use a system analysis and an individual body analysis in order to solve for an acceleration and an internal force for a two-body problem. Both objects move together in the same direction.  Includes 7 problems.