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4. In the Exploration, the sled does not move at all when two equal forces are applied

opposing directions. Explain the reason behind this.

User Kaznov
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

The net force is zero, so the acceleration is zero

Step-by-step explanation:

Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force applied to it, according to the equation:


\sum F = ma (1)

where


\sum F is the net force on the object

m is the mass of the object

a is its acceleration

In this problem, we have a sled acted upon two forces,
F_1, F_2. So the net force on the sled is


\sum F = F_1 + F_2 (2)

however, we are told that the two forces are equal in magnitude but in opposite directions, so


F_1 = F\\F_2 = -F

So, eq.(2) becomes


\sum F = F+(-F) = 0

and so eq.(1) becomes


\sum F = ma = 0

which means


a=0

so the acceleration of the sled is zero, and if the sled was at rest, it will not move.

User Rida Rezzag
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8.2k points

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