6.03 Force Interactive Lab

Use the Force Interactive simulation from Physics Classroom (linked on the Task page) to complete this lab activity. Click the double-arrow icon in the top left of the interactive to resize the activity in your browser.

Part 1: Lab Preparation

In Part 1, you will learn how to use the Force Interactive simulation to prepare to complete the lab activity.

In the lab activities of this task, you will complete trials using the Force Interactive simulation and record the data you collect. The trials will follow this procedure, with some minor changes:

1. Set surface friction value to 0.00
2. Set the applied force (N)
3. Set the mass (kg)
4. Run the simulation by selecting the "Push It" button.
5. Record the net force (N)
6. Calculate acceleration using the equation from Newton's Second Law, F_net = ma.
   • To simplify this equation, rearrange the equation to read, a = F_net / m.
   • Also note that, because this simulation assumes the absence of friction, your net force should equal your applied force.

Before beginning these trials, look over the Example Trial data listed in the table below and review the screenshots showing how the example trial was run through the interactive simulation to determine the net force and how the acceleration was calculated.

Example Trial Data Table:

Trial	Applied Force (N)	Mass (kg)	Net Force (N)	Acceleration (m/s/s)
EXAMPLE TRIAL	10.0 N	2.0 kg	10.0 N	5 m/s2

• The values in black indicate information provided.
• The values in light blue indicate information added based on the simulation and acceleration calculation.

Example Trial Sequence:

1. Set the values in the interactive based on information in the data table:
   1. Surface friction: 0.00
   2. Mass: 1.0 kg
   3. Applied Force: 10.0 N

1. The simulation was run by selecting the "Push It" button.

1. From the results of the simulation, we know the net force for the example trial is 10.00 N. This will be recorded in the data table.
2. Using what we've learned from the simulation and what values we've been given, let's calculate the acceleration using the equation a = F_net / m and record it in the data table.

a = F_net / m

a = 10.00 N / 10 kg

a = 1 m/s²

Part 2: Applying Newton's Second Law

Now that you have completed Part 1 and know how to use the Force Interactive, you may complete the first 10 trials and calculations of the lab.

When forces are unbalanced, objects accelerate. You will investigate what affects the acceleration of an object by running tests in the absence of friction. Complete 10 trial tests, varying the applied force and the mass of the object, all while friction is absent. In the interactive, make sure the surface friction value is set to 0.00 and run the following trials of the scenarios indicated in the data table below. You will follow this procedure for each trial:

1. Set surface friction value to 0.00
2. Set the applied force (N)
3. Set the mass (kg)
4. Run the simulation by selecting the "Push It" button.
5. Record the net force (N)
6. Calculate acceleration using the equation from Newton's Second Law, F_net = ma.
   • To simplify this equation, rearrange the equation to read, a = F_net / m.
   • Also note that, because this simulation assumes the absence of friction, your net force should equal your applied force.

Data Table:

Trial	Applied Force (N)	Mass (kg)	Net Force (N)	Acceleration (m/s/s)
1	10.0 N	2.0 kg
2	20.0 N	2.0 kg
3	40.0 N	2.0 kg
4	60.0 N	2.0 kg
5	80.0 N	2.0 kg
6	100.0 N	2.0 kg
7	40.0 N	1.0 kg
8	40.0 N	3.0 kg
9	40.0 N	4.0 kg
10	40.0 N	5.0 kg

Part 3: Force Analysis

Answer the following questions based on what you observed and calculated in Part 2.

1. What affect does a doubling of the net force have upon the acceleration of the object? Be quantitative.(Don't just say it decreases or increases; indicatethe factor by which acceleration decreases or increases.)

1. Identify a set of two trials that support your answer for #1.
   1. Example 1:
   2. Example 2:

1. What affect does a tripling of the net force have upon the acceleration of the object? Be quantitative. (Don't just say it decreases or increases; indicatethe factor by which acceleration decreases or increases.)

1. Identify a set of two trials that support for your answer to #3.
   1. Example 1:
   2. Example 2:

1. What affect does the doubling of the mass have upon the acceleration of the object? Be quantitative. (Don't just say it decreases or increases; indicatethe factor by which acceleration decreases or increases.)

1. Identify a set of two trials that support your answer to #5.
   1. Example 1:
   2. Example 2:

1. What affect does a quadrupling of the mass have upon the acceleration of the object? Be quantitative. (Don't just say it decreases or increases; indicatethe factor by which acceleration decreases or increases.)

1. Identify a set of two trials that support your answer to #7.
   1. Example 1:
   2. Example 2:

1. Lab partners, Sandra and Logan, attempted to use Trials 5 and 8 to show the affect that a doubling of force has upon the acceleration. Explain why these two trialscannot be used to show the effect of force upon acceleration.

Part 4: The Effect of Friction

In the absence of friction, gravity, or any other force, Newton's laws are easily observed. However, here on earth we experience those types of forces all day every day. For the 6 trials conducted in Part 4, you will be adjusting the surface friction of the table on which the box is being pushed to determine the effect of friction on net force and the resulting acceleration of the object. So that you will have a constant in which to compare your results, you will start by re-running your first trial from Part 1.

Remember, net force is the sum of all forces acting on an object. For this simulation, the forces present are:

• The applied force from the hand pushing the box, plus
• The friction from the surface under the box

Therefore, unlike Part 2, the applied force should not equal the net force.

You will follow this procedure for each trial in Part 4:

1. Set the applied force (N)
   • This will not change after Trial 1
2. Set the mass (kg)
   • This will not change after Trial 1
3. Set the surface friction
   • This will change with every trial
4. Run the simulation by selecting the "Push It" button.
5. Record the net force (N)
6. Calculate acceleration using the equation from Newton's Second Law, F_net = ma.
   • To simplify this equation, rearrange the equation to read, a = F_net / m.
   • The net force in these trials includes the applied force and the surface friction.

Data Table:

Trial	Applied Force (N)	Mass (kg)	Surface Friction	Net Force (N)	Acceleration (m/s/s)
1	10.0 N	2.0 kg	0.00
2	10.0 N	2.0 kg	0.10
3	10.0 N	2.0 kg	0.20
4	10.0 N	2.0 kg	0.30
5	10.0 N	2.0 kg	0.40
6	10.0 N	2.0 kg	0.50

Part 5: Surface Friction Analysis

Answer the following questions based on what you observed and calculated in Part 2.

1. Based on your trials, what is the effect of friction on the net force applied to the box?

1. What is the effect of friction on acceleration?

1. What is the effect of friction on acceleration?

1. Explain Newton's 2^nd Law of Motion using your experiences from the trials conducted in the simulations.