Final answer:
To affect an object's velocity, you must apply force in any direction, but its effect depends on the direction and strength of the force relative to the object's current motion. Friction affects the final outcome, and free-body diagrams alongside graphs of position, velocity, and acceleration help to visualize and predict these changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
To exert a force that causes an object's velocity to change, you must consider how the strength and direction of the force relate to the object's motion. When you apply force to an object, there are a few potential outcomes depending on the direction and magnitude of the force relative to the object's current velocity:
- If the force is applied in the same direction as the object's velocity, the object will accelerate, increasing its velocity.
- If the force is applied in the opposite direction of the object's velocity, the object will decelerate or slow down.
- If a sideways force is applied, the object will start to move in that direction, altering its velocity vector.
- If an upward force counteracts gravity, it can change the object's vertical motion without affecting its horizontal velocity.
- If no net force is applied, or if the applied force is balanced by an opposing force such as friction, the object's velocity will remain constant.
When observing the force and motion simulation, notice how the friction force opposes the applied force. By increasing or decreasing friction, you can see how this affects the object's motion. To fully understand these interactions, it's beneficial to draw a free-body diagram to visually represent the forces acting on an object. This diagram will show the applied force, frictional force, gravitational force, and normal force. Translating this into graphs, you'll see how forces correlate with position, velocity, and acceleration over time, allowing you to make qualitative predictions about an object's motion.