University of the Cordilleras

College of Teacher Education

Center of Excellence in Teacher Education

Experiment No. 9
FORCE INTERACTIVE (Involving Friction)
NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION: FORCE, MASS AND ACCELERATION

Name:__________________________________ Score:____________/_____________
Schedule:_______________________________ Date Performed_________________
Group No.______________________________ Date Submitted:________________

I. OBJECTIVE
At the end of the experiment, the student is expected to:
 Explore some relationships between variables for the situation of a block being
accelerated across a horizontal surface by an applied force.

II. APPARATUS
Using the force interactive involving friction can be found from the link below.

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Newtons-Laws/Force/Force-Interactive

III. PROCEDURE
Refer to the link below
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Newtons-Laws/Force/Force-Interactive

Background:
When forces are unbalanced, objects accelerate. But what exactly affects the acceleration of the
object? What affect does the amount of force that is applied, or the mass of the object, or the amount of
friction experienced by the object have upon the acceleration the object experiences? In this activity you
will conduct several controlled or simulated studies in order to determine the answer to these questions.

Challenge 1:
Conduct a controlled study in which you determine the effect of a varying applied force upon the
acceleration in the presence of friction. Think hard about what variables you change and what quantities
you will keep constant over the course of the study.

 Run several trials in which you collect data to determine this cause-effect relationship.
 Plot the data and perform linear regression in order to generate an acceleration equation,
expressing acceleration as a function of the applied force.

Note: the friction variable that is indicated in the simulation refers to the coefficient of friction. It is
represented by the symbol μ (pronounced "mu"). It is a unit-less number ranging from 0 up to 0.9.
(Values of μ can exceed 0.9; that just happens to be the upper limit in this Interactive.)

Tria Applied Mass (kg) Coefficient of Net Force Velocity-Time Acceleration

l Force (N) Friction (µ) (N) Information (m/s2)
 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Conclusion for Challenge 1:

In the space below, make a claim in which you state the equation relating the acceleration
to the applied force. Show a sketch of the graph and the linear regression statistics (slope, y-
intercept, and regression constant). Write a paragraph of reasoning in which you explain how
the data and associated graph support the claim that you have made.

A Challenging Follow-up:
Look at the slope value from your graph and inspect the Data table. What quantity do
you suppose the slope represents? Make a claim and support it with evidence and
reasoning.

Challenge 2:
Conduct a study in which you determine the effect of a varying coefficient of friction
(mu) upon the acceleration. Run several trials in which you collect data to determine
this cause-effect relationship. Before you begin, think hard about what variables you
will change and what quantities you will keep constant. If your original plan fails, then
adjust your values and start over until you have a sufficient quantity of data. Plot the
data and perform linear regression in order to generate an acceleration equation,
expressing acceleration as a function of mu.

Note: the friction variable that is indicated in the simulation refers to the coefficient of friction. It is
represented by the symbol μ (pronounced "mu"). It is a unit-less number ranging from 0 up to 0.9.
(Values of μ can exceed 0.9; that just happens to be the upper limit in this Interactive.)

Tria Applied Mass (kg) Coefficient of Net Force Velocity-Time Acceleration

 l Force (N) Friction (µ) (N) Information (m/s2)
1 40N 3 0.1 37.06 (4.0 s, 49.41m/s) 12.35 m/s2
2 40N 3 0.2 34.12 (4.0s, 45.49 m/s) 11.37 m/s2
3 40N 3 0.3 31.18 (4.0 s, 41.57m/s) 10.39 m/s2
4 40N 3 0.4 28.24 (5.0 s, 47.07m/s) 9.41 m/s2
5 40N 3 0.5 25.30 (5.0s, 42.17 m/s) 8.43 m/s2
6 40N 3 0.6 22.36 (5.0s, 37.27 m/s) 7.45 m/s2
7 40N 3 0.7 19.42 (5.0s, 32.37m/s) 6.47 m/s2
8 40N 3 0.8 16.48 (5.0s, 27.47m/s) 5.49 m/s2

Conclusion for Challenge 2:

In the space below, make a claim in which you state the equation relating the acceleration to the
coefficient of friction (mu). Show a sketch of the graph and the linear regression statistics (slope, y-
intercept, and regression constant). Write a paragraph of reasoning in which you explain how the data
and associated graph support the claim that you have made.

Linear Aggression
14

12 12.35
11.37
10 10.39
9.41
8.43 Acceleration
8 8
7.45 7
6.47
6 6
5.49
5
4 4
3
2 2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A Challenging Follow-up:
Look at the slope value from your graph. What quantity do you suppose the slope represents? Make a
claim and support it with evidence and reasoning.
 It does represent a linear line. Due to the changes of friction there is a changes happened in the
acceleration
IV. COMPUTATIONS

V. DIAGRAM

VI. OBSERVATION

VII. QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. The driver of a speeding empty truck slams on the brakes and skids to a stop through a distance
D. a) if the truck carried a load that doubled its mass, what would be the trucks “skidding
distance”? b) if the initial speed of the truck were halved, what would be the truck’s “skidding
distance?
 2. Explain why static friction is greater than kinetic friction?

3. A) illustrate the motion of a wooden block with weight (w) which is sliding on an inclined plane
at an angle θ. Discuss the downward motion of the block assuming friction is neglected
B) If frictional force f, will be considered, how will it affect the downward motion of the block in
a?

VIII. ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES: Support your answers by means of a free body diagram
1. What horizontal force P must be exerted on a 70kg box on a horizontal surface in order to move the
box along the horizontal surface at constant velocity given coefficient of kinetic friction between box
and surface is 0.5?

2. What force P 250 above the horizontal must be exerted on a 70kg box in order that it will slide
along the horizontal surface at constant velocity given UK = 0.15?

3. A horizontal force of 200n is exerted on a 50 kg block along a horizontal surface where the
coefficient of friction is 0.15. Find the ff: a) net force on the block b) acceleration of the block

4. A 2 ton car initially at 20m/sec stops after negotiating 60m. Assuming a uniformly accelerated
motion, find the average force which acts on the brakes of the car to make it stop.

5. A 200kg block starting from rest is pulled by a rope which makes 30 0 above the horizontal surface.
If 50 newtons opposes the blocks motion, what force must be exerted so that block will travel 10m in
5sec?

Items 6-8: Given - A block is pulled by a string that makes an angle of 30º to the horizontal. If the mass
of the block is 15.0 kg and the coefficient of friction is 0.20, what force would keep the block moving at a
constant velocity?

6. Find the frictional force which acts on the block? Ans.________________

7. What is the normal force acting on the block? Ans.________________

8. The net force which acts on the block to cause motion. Ans.________________

Items 9-11: Given - A 55-N block is pulled by a horizontal force T of

65.0 N along a rough horizontal surface at a constant acceleration of 5
m/s2. find the following:

9. Coefficient of friction
Ans.________________

10. Net Force acting on the block Ans.________________

11. Normal force acted upon by the surface in contact. Ans.________________

IX. REFERENCES

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Newtons-Laws/Force/Force-Exercise-2