Topic summary · Student revision
Newton's Laws of Motion and Connected Particles Topic Review summary
Self-review on Newton’s laws, pulleys, and connected particles with a common magnitude of acceleration.
Files: Topic-Review-Newton-s-Laws-of-Motion-and-Connected-Particles.pdf · Topic-Review-Newton-s-Laws-of-Motion-and-Connected-Particles-Answers.pdf · free public downloads · diagrams in the PDFs
Key learning points
- N2L: along the direction of motion (resultant force).
- Draw separate force diagrams for each particle.
- Connected by an inextensible string ⇒ same acceleration magnitude.
- Pulleys: tension assumptions (light, smooth pulley ⇒ equal tensions).
- Eliminate tension to solve for acceleration, then find tension if required.
Worked example 1 — Pulley
Masses over a smooth light pulley.
Working
Whole-system or paired equations.
Worked example 2 — N3
Action–reaction pair property.
Working
Act on different bodies.
Worked example 3 — Practice point 1
N2L: along the direction of motion (resultant force).
Working
Attempt without notes, then check the answers PDF.
Worked example 4 — Practice point 2
Apply this idea from the Topic Review: Draw separate force diagrams for each particle.
Working
Attempt without notes, then check the answers PDF.
Scaffolded Learning Sheet and answers (PDFs)
This page is a short, searchable overview for revision and search engines. Use the Scaffolded Learning Sheet first, then the Answers PDF for a full written solution. The printable PDFs remain the main classroom resource.