Labs / Physics
Net Force Tug
Two forces fight over one box — set how hard each side pushes, then hit Go. Only the net force (what is left over after the two cancel) drives the motion, and heavier boxes fight back harder. Drag the box anywhere on the track to line up your own experiment.
Fnet 40 Na 5.00 m/s²v 0.00 m/s
What to try
- Make both pushes exactly equal. Does the box move at all — and what is the net force reading?
- Keep the forces fixed and slide the mass up. Why does the same net force produce a smaller acceleration?
- Get the box gliding, then flip which side pushes harder. How long before it actually turns around?
- Switch friction on. How much of a head start does one side now need before the box breaks free and moves?
- With friction on and the box coasting, set both pushes to zero. What brings it to a stop, and how quickly?