Forces and Motion- Mechanics Computational Lab

1.
1. M
MAKE
AKE A
A SKETCH
SKETCH OF
OF THE
THE PROBLEM
PROBLEM AND
AND LABEL
LABEL ALL
ALL FORCES INVOLVED ;; IIFF NEGLECTING
FORCES INVOLVED NEGLECTING ANY
ANY FORCES
FORCES IN
IN YOUR
YOUR
DIAGRAM, WRITE DOWN THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE THAT RESULTED IN THE NEGLECTION OF THAT FORCE EXPLICITLY ..
DIAGRAM , WRITE DOWN THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE THAT RESULTED IN THE NEGLECTION OF THAT FORCE EXPLICITLY

Assumptions:
Neglecting Air Resistance:
Assume that the tower is being simulated in a
vacuum or in an environment where air resistance
is negligible.

Neglecting Torsional Forces:

Assuming that the blocks are perfectly aligned
and there are no torsional or twisting forces
acting on the tower. This simplifies the analysis by
focusing only on vertical and horizontal forces.
“Forces and Motion- Mechanics Computational Lab
2. CALCULATE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE NORMAL FORCE ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF EACH LAYER OF THE TOWER AS A
FUNCTION OF LAYER NUMBER (SEE FIGURE 2);
“Forces
3. F
and Motion- Mechanics
,
Computational Lab
IND THE FOLLOWING AS A FUNCTION OF LAYER NUMBER N
A. THE FORCE REQUIRED TO PULL A BLOCK OUT OF THE TOWER
B. THE DISTANCE FROM THE NORMAL FORCES TO THE CENTRE OF MASS FOR A BLOCK BEING PULLED OUT OF THE
TOWER SO THAT THE BLOCK HAS NO NET TORQUE APPLIED TO IT (ASSUME THE DISTANCE IS THE SAME FOR BOTH
NORMAL FORCES )
4. WOULD YOUR ANSWERS TO 3A AND 3B BE DIFFERENT IF THE SIDE BLOCK WAS BEING PULLED IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO ITS LENGTH ?
WHAT ABOUT IF IT WAS A MIDDLE BLOCK BEING PULLED IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO ITS LENGTH ? WHY OR WHY NOT ?

3A: The Force Required to Pull a Block Out of the Tower:

If the side block is being pulled parallel to its length:
When compared to pushing it out in a direction perpendicular to its length, the power needed to draw it out would probably be
higher. This is because, while pulling parallel to its length, the normal force acting between the surfaces in contact—which is usually
less than the maximum static friction force—would be the primary source of the frictional force opposing the motion.
When surfaces slide against one another perpendicular to their lengths as opposed to parallel to them, the coefficient of static
friction may also change. For instance, surface roughness and other variables may cause the coefficient of static friction for wood on
wood to differ in these two scenarios
The weight of the block above it will be more than the typical force exerted on the side block by the block below.
This is due to the fact that part of the weight of the block above it is carried by the blocks next to it rather than being sent straight
down.
As a result, the usual force resisting the pull will likewise be lessened, and as a result, the friction force.
Because of this, drawing the side block out perpendicular to its length may need less force than pulling it out parallel to it.
If the middle block is being pulled parallel to its length:

The centre block experiences a greater force of the weight of the blocks above it since it is positioned in relation to the tower's
centre of gravity.
Because of this, the weight of the block above it will equal the normal force exerted on the centre block from the block below.
This increased normal force will also result in a stronger friction force resisting the pull.
Because of the larger normal force and friction force involved, pulling the middle block out parallel to its length may take more
force than pulling a side block.

3B: The Centre of Mass's Distance from the Normal Forces:

If the side block is being pulled parallel to its length:

The total force needed to draw the side block may be less than that needed to pull it out perpendicular to its length, but the
distance between the normal forces and the centre of mass may still need to be balanced to avoid net torque.
If the middle block is being pulled parallel to its length:
The distribution of normal forces and their distances from the center of mass might change, depending on how neighboring blocks
react to the pull. In this case, the normal forces might not necessarily act at equal distances from the center of mass, as the
distribution of forces could vary based on the arrangement of blocks around the middle block.
5. IF YOU WERE PULLING ON A BLOCK FROM A LAYER MISSING ITS MIDDLE BLOCK , WOULD YOU NEED MORE OR LESS FORCE ?
WHY?

To extract a block from a layer where its middle block is missing, you would likely have to work harder than on a
layer where every block is intact. This is because the removal of the central block affects the tower's stability and
weight distribution.

Shift in Weight Distribution: The weight that was uniformly distributed across the centre block of a stable Jenga tower
now concentrates on the blocks next to it. Because of the increasing downward force, removing the remaining blocks
demands more force.

Reduced Stability: The removal of the central block leaves a gap that makes the construction less stable. Neighbouring
blocks so start to lose support and become less stable. Because there is less stability and more resistance to movement,
it takes more power to remove a block from a layer that lacks its middle block.

Increased Friction: When there isn't a central block, there may be an uneven distribution of weight and tower shifting,
which increases the friction between the surface and the remaining blocks.
6. FIND THE CENTER OF MASS OF THE JENGA TOWER BEFORE ANY PIECES ARE REMOVED .
7. FIND THE CENTER OF MASS OF THE JENGA TOWER AFTER THE RIGHT SIDE PIECES OF EVERY OTHER LAYER ARE REMOVED .
8. THE MIDDLE AND RIGHT SIDE PIECE OF THE 7TH LAYER OF THE JENGA TOWER ARE REMOVED . CALCULATE THE NET TORQUE ON THE 8
TO 12TH LAYERS OF THE JENGA TOWER . WILL THE TOP PART OF THE TOWER FALL OVER ? IF SO , FIND THE MAXIMUM DISTANCE THAT TH
LAST 7TH LAYER BLOCK CAN BE FROM THE CENTRE OF THE TOWER SO THAT THE TOWER WILL NOT FALL OVER .
RUN THE JENGA SIMULATION IN ALGODOO THAT IS PROVIDED USING THE THRUSTER VALUE OF 1.5N, 3.5N, 4.5N,
AND 5N. EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENT BEHAVIOUR . D O YOUR SIMULATION RESULTS MATCH YOUR
CALCULATIONS ?

A 1.5 N applied force:

removes the brick gradually, causing the structure to crumble gradually.

Because of the modest force, the block might shift gradually, which leads to instability in the tower over time
and eventual full collapse.

A force of 3.5 N applied:

This force also contributes to the tower's gradual fall, just like in the last scenario.
Despite the increased force, the block may still move with control, causing the tower to gradually fall.

A force of 4.5 N applied:

Without instantly collapsing the structure, there is enough force to push the block out very rapidly.
But the structure shakes or sways a lot at the top due to the abrupt displacement of the block, suggesting
instability.
Applied Force of 5 N:
With this force, the block is pulled out fast enough for the tower to not be significantly affected.
The force is likely high enough to overcome static friction quickly, resulting in minimal disturbance to the
tower.