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Lab Report 4 - Lab on Forces of Acceleration and Friction on Objects with Different Masses
Course: Algebra Physics I (PHYS 2010)
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University: Tennessee Technological University
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Lab Report 4
Physics 2010
Forces of Acceleration and Friction on Objects with Different Masses
Introduction
A man pushes an object across a surface. The force of friction acts upon the object as the
man applies force. For this lab, the main focus is on acceleration. When the man applies force to
the object, watch how the box speeds up. Up to three objects can be added to the man’s load. The
masses of each object, the values of the forces, the speed, and the acceleration can all be shown
by using the checkmark boxes on the left of the program. The amount of friction can also be
changed. Determine how the acceleration is affected with different objects and different amounts
of force.
Procedure
Use this website, https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/forces-and-motion-
basics/latest/forces-and-motion-basics_en.html, to simulate a man pushing an object(s) in any
direction with different forces. This lab deals with a lot of experimentation. There is no set
procedure; however, a generic one will be given. The objects can be changed as well as the
amount of force.
1. Select the Acceleration tab of the program.
2. Select an object, the box is given at the start of the program.
3. Apply 50 N of force to the box in any direction. It may be easier to see of the values
were turned on. What is noticed about the two forces?
4. Apply 100 N of force. What has happened now.
5. Apply 150 N of force. Did something change?
6. Select a different object or add an object. Repeat steps 3-5. Select a different amount
of force. Is there a difference?
Results/Discussion
When applying 50 N of force, the force of friction is applied in the opposite direction
with the same force. When applying 100 N of force, the same thing happens with friction. When
applying 150 N of force, the force of friction is 94 N. This causes the box to accelerate at 1.12
m/s2. When the man reaches terminal velocity at 40 m/s, the falls to the ground no longer
applying force to the box. This causes only the force of friction to be applied to the box. The box
then accelerates at -1.88 m/s2. If another box is added to the total mass, applying 150 N of force
causes the force of friction to be equal. When applying 200 N of force, the forces are equal as
well. The same applies to 250 N. At 300 N, the box begins to accelerate. The acceleration is the
same as with one box. This says that for each 50kg, the forces are 150 N applied to 94 N of
friction. When another box is added, the mass and each force is doubled.
Another experiment includes removing an object. When 200 kg is pushed, the forces are
equal to the max of 500 N the program allows. When 50 kg is removed, the friction force drops
to 281 N. When the box is added back, the force doesn’t return to 500 N. The friction force goes
to 375 N.
