Lecture Notes: Forces and Acceleration Lab

Introduction

• Presenter: Dr. AAR
• Topic: Forces and Acceleration, Week 1 Lab
• Objective: Guide through online virtual simulations
• Importance: Helps with understanding the material and quiz preparation

Lab Overview

• Background Information:
  • Read thoroughly to aid quiz
  • Some content is original, some from colleagues

Simulation Instructions

General Setup

• Download and enable editing on the lab document
  • Type answers directly into it
• Interactive Simulations:
  • Access via provided link

Simulation 1: Net Force

• Naming Convention:
  • 43 21b for blue, 1 234 for red
• Settings:
  • Ensure all boxes checked for speed and forces
• Activity:
  • Use net force to explore balanced/unbalanced forces
  • Set up a tug-of-war scenario
  • Place 2B on left, 2R on right, and complete the table
  • Observe net force and answer related questions
• Key Point: No motion if same mass and force

Simulation 2: Acceleration

• Access:
  • Click 'home' or directly 'acceleration'
• Settings:
  • Set friction to none
  • Mass at 50 kg (default)
  • Apply sequential forces: 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 Newtons
• Objective:
  • Observe acceleration changes with constant mass
  • Use Newton's Second Law (F = ma) for verification

Simulation 3: Forces on a Ramp

• Setup:
  • Open through a browser (Chrome recommended, requires Java)
  • Start with a 100 kg crate
  • Coefficient of sliding friction = 0.3
  • Coefficient of static friction = 0.5
• Activity:
  • Apply 100 Newtons, then 200 Newtons, observe results
  • Determine force required to overcome static and sliding friction
• Note:
  • Over 500 Newtons needed to move crate initially

Submission

• Complete post-lab questions
• Save work and submit to Canvas

Conclusion

• Assistance: Reach out to instructor with questions
• Reminder: Follow instructions carefully for successful lab completion