A classmate is attempting to draw a free body diagram for a box being pushed across the floor at a constant speed. The image bel
ow is what they have drawn so far.
Which (if any) of their forces have been drawn incorrectly
O A. The applied force should be the same size as the friction force
B. There is nothing wrong with the free body diagram
OC. The normal force should be larger than the force and gravity
OD. The friction force should be in the same direction as the applied force
A. The applied force should be the same size as the friction force
Explanation:
Whenever we apply a force to an object it moves if the force applied to that object is unbalanced and there is no force or a lesser force to counter it. According to Newton's Second Law of motion, when an unbalanced force is applied to an object it produces an acceleration in the object in its own direction. So, the two forces acting on this box are the frictional force and the applied force in horizontal direction. In order to move the box at constant speed, the applied force must first, overcome the frictional force, so the object can start its motion. Since, the motion has constant velocity, it means no acceleration. So, the force must be balanced in order to avoid acceleration as a consequence of Newton's Second Law of motion. Therefore, the correction in this case will be:
<u>A. The applied force should be the same size as the friction force</u>
A pendulum is probably the most common showing of this example. As the pendulum swings down, it converts its potential energy (height) into kinetic energy (velocity). At the lowest point the kinetic energy is the highest and the potential is the lowest. At the highest point in its swing the velocity is zero so the kinetic energy is zero and the potential energy is at a maximum (greatest height).
