---
title: "Unit 2.4 | Easily Solve Any Linear Force Problems and Deriving Equation"
description: "Learn how to use F = ma to derive equations and solve all levels of force problems. Avoid these misconceptions..."
featured_image: "https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/13769.jpg"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-4-solving-force-problems/"
date_modified: "2026-10-31T10:08:23+00:00"
---

# Unit 2.4 | Easily Solve Any Linear Force Problems and Deriving Equation

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You might have heard that Physics involves a lot of equations. Most of these, however, will not be given.

By the end of the lesson you will be able to craft your own equations to solve the hardest of problems.

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This course article contains videos that can only be accessed once enrolled in the [Learn AP Physics from Scratch Course](https://nerd-notes.com/physics/ap-physics-1-from-scratch-course/ap-physics-1-course-all-materials/).

### Unit 2 Breakdown

You are on Lesson 4 of 7

1. [Unit 2.1 | Understanding and Applying Newton’s Law in Depth](https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-1-the-forces-that-move-us-unpacking-dynamics-in-ap-physics-1/)
2. [Unit 2.2 | Common Linear Forces in Physics](https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-2-common-forces-in-physics/)
3. [Unit 2.3 | Drawing FBD (Force Diagrams) Quickly and Accurately](https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-3-drawing-fbds-right/)
4. [Unit 2.4 | Easily Solve Any Linear Force Problems and Deriving Equation](https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-4-solving-force-problems/)
5. [Unit 2.5 | Advanced Problem Solving – Tension and Elevators](https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-5-advanced-problem-solving-tension-and-elevators/)
6. [Unit 2.6 | Advanced Problem Solving – Objects on Incline Planes](https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-6-advanced-problem-incline-plane-problems/)
7. [Unit 2.7 | Problem Solving – Simple Pulley Systems](https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-7-advanced-problem-solving-pulley-systems/)

#### In this lesson: 

- Derivation vs Memorization
- Differentiate between static and non static situations
- How to begin any problem – a framework for force problems
- Solving single-body linear force problems

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### Derivation vs Memorization

A HUGE misconception is that you will be given equations. This is false.

Physics, especially AP Physics 1, is all about ***deriving*** or making your own equations.

This is what makes Physics so fun! **No one** is given the right equation. To solve a problem you must create your own equation as you will learn in this lesson.

It’s a game of strategy, logic, and basic algebra. 

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### Types of Force Problems

This Unit will cover problems only involving **linear** forces.

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This includes tension, pulleys, ramps, friction, and many a few other types of problems. Sometimes it will be a combination of them.

#### Static vs Non-Static Systems

To help draw your FBD, you need to determine if the system is static or non-static. Here’s how:

| **Static System** | **Non-Static System** |
| --- | --- |
| Zero net force both x and y directions (aka: in equilibrium) | Net force in x and/or y directions (aka: not in equilibrium) |
| Not Accelerating | Accelerating in the direction of net force |
| Example: Sign hanging from two cables | Example: Pulling a box across a frictionless floor |

\(T_1\)

\(T_2\)

\(mg\)

\(F_{net} = 0 \;\Rightarrow\; a = 0\)

\(T\)

\(N\)

\(mg\)

\(a\)

\(F_{net} = T \;\Rightarrow\; a = T/m\)

*Static: the sign’s two tensions and its weight cancel, so it stays put. Non-static: nothing cancels the tension \(T\) on the box, so it accelerates in that direction.*

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#### Single body vs Multi-body Systems

Another thing to look for in a problem is the number of masses (objects).

Most problems will only have one object. For example a box being pushed across a floor or a person moving in an elevator. These problems, static or non-static, can be solved using the framework below, which is the focus of this lesson.

Some problems, however, will have multiple objects. For example a pulley system with masses on both ends. Or two blocks stacked upon each other each. You will learn to solve in the last lesson of the Unit (2.8 – Solving Multi Body Systems)

Forces, FBDs, and Frameworks (Part 2)

Official course · step-by-step video walkthrough

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### Problem Solving Framework – Single Body Force Problems

A framework is a general procedure to tackle a specific problem. Remember that this framework will guide you to solve problems. This is NOT a substitute for logic.

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1. Read the problem and turn the main object into an FBD. Make sure to think about any non-obvious forces, like friction or normal forces, that may be acting on the object
2. Break apart force vectors at angles into their x and y components.
3. Find the net force in the x and y direction separately. This can be done with real numbers or in terms of variables, if not given numbers.
4. Use Fnet = ma! Set the net force that you found equal to ma. Rearrange and solve for the missing variable

This might be confusing. So let’s apply it to a simple problem below. I’ll label the steps, so you can refer back to the framework above.

#### Example Problem

**Problem**: Using a light cord, you pull a 5kg box with a force of 20N across a rough floor. The floor has a coefficient of kinetic friction of .5 and the cord makes an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal. What is the acceleration of the box?

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**Apply the framework:**

1. Forces acting on this box include, Tension (**T**), kinetic friction (**fk**), weight (**mg**), and normal force (**N**). Draw these forces on an FBD, like the one below.

![](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2.4-FBD1-1024x530.jpg)

1. Notice the Tension force is at a 30° angle. Break up tension in x and y components and find the value of each side. Note that you can completely solve to find a numerical value OR you can **leave in terms of variables (as recommended)**

![](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2.4-FBD2-1024x529.jpg)

1. Find the Fnet(x) by adding up all the horizontal vectors in terms of the variables. Do the same for the vertical direction. Again, I would recommend doing this in terms of variables and **not** numbers.

![](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2.4-FBD3-1024x525.jpg)

1. Newton’s 2nd Law (F = ma) tells us to first set **Fnet(x) = max** and then **Fnet(y) = may.**

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![](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2.4-FBD4-1024x536.jpg)

1. Begin to solve the first equation Fnet(x) for ax , as this is what the problem asks us to find.

![](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2.4-FBD5-1024x563.jpg)

1. Pause here, and notice, that we can now plug in all numbers EXCEPT for N (the normal force). This means we must go to our second equation (**Fnet(y)**) to find a value for normal force.

![](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2.4-FBD6-1024x513.jpg)

1. Now that we have a value for normal force (39.1 N), go back to the first equation Fnet(x) and plug in all the numbers. This is written as step #4 in the image below.

![](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2.4-FBD7-1024x665.jpg)

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### LRN – Force Framework

Still having trouble understanding the force problem solving framework? Watch the short video below where I go over an example problem and apply the framework.

[Embedded content](https://www.youtube.com/embed/SIQZyz-cZQs?feature=oembed)

Applying the Problem Solving Framework (Beginner)

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### Practice Single Body Force Problems

All questions involve single objects that are either static or non-static. Follow the framework above to solve each problem. Over the next few lessons, you will learn to solve more complex force questions.

1. **Level 1:** You push a 20kg box to the right with a force of 90 N across a rough floor (µk = .4). What is the box’s acceleration?
2. **Level 2:** A large 100kg sign is suspended from two ropes that are both at an angle of 45° to the horizontal. What is the tension in each rope?
3. **Level 3:** A 12.0 kg box is being pulled along level ground by a 81 N force that is directed at an angle of 18° above the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.330. What is the acceleration of the box?
4. **Level 4:** You pull a 10kg wagon with a constant unknown force at a 25° angle above the horizontal. The wagon accelerates at a rate of .6 m/s2. The tires roll without skidding, so this isn’t kinetic friction, but the road’s rolling resistance acts like a friction force f = µN with µ = .25. How much force are you pulling with?
5. **Level 5:** Conceptual – Suppose two people are pushing two identical boxes across a floor with µk = .2. Person A pushes down at an angle of 45° while Person B pushes the box upwards at an angle of 45°. Which person will move the box further after 60 seconds?

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Show Answers

1. 1/2 m/s2
2. 707.1 N
3. 3.8 m/s2
4. 30.63 N
5. Person B will have the greater net force, thus greater acceleration, thus furthest distance completed in 60 seconds.

### PS – Single Body Linear Forces

In this video I use the force problem solving framework to solve the Level 1, 2, and 3 problems from above.

[Embedded content](https://www.youtube.com/embed/xf5QaPXYrUc?feature=oembed)

#### Bonus AP Level Question

A 50 kg box at rest on a rough horizontal surface. The surface has a value of µs = .75 and a µk = .3. If you pushed the box with 300 N horizontal force, how fast would the box accelerate? If you pushed the box with a horizontal force of 500 N, how fast would the box accelerate?

Show Answer

If pushed with a force of 300 N, the box would NOT accelerate (a = 0 m/s2).

If pushed with a force of 500 N, the box would overcome static friction and accelerate at a rate of a = 7 m/s2.

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### Lesson 2.4 Recap

In this lesson we covered a framework for solving static and non-static force problems that involved only ONE object.

You practiced several questions to test your understanding and learned how to derive equations from scratch! Now you are ready to tackle questions involving all the other linear forces!

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### Lesson 2.5 Preview

In the next lesson ( Unit 2.5 – Tension and Elevators) we will cover the tension forces in depth, and how we can apply it to common scenarios like an elevator. We will also cover what apparent weight is and why it matters in elevators.  ## Attribution Guidelines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarizing, or training on this content, please credit Nerd Notes and link to https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-4-solving-force-problems/. **Publication:** Nerd Notes **Original URL:** https://nerd-notes.com/unit-2-4-solving-force-problems/