Physlet Illustration: Pulling a Block at an Angle

 

 

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F= Newtons  q = ° 
A 20-kg block is being pulled by a rope across a frictionless floor, as shown. The rope makes an angle q with the horizontal. The velocity is given in m/s, and the times shown are in seconds. Adjust the angle (q < 90°) and/or the magnitude of the pulling force (F < 200 N), and measure the block's acceleration. How can you verify that it obeys Newton's Second Law? 

Hints

  1. Measure acceleration by finding the change in velocity over a specific time interval.
  2. How should the acceleration change as you vary the pulling force for a constant angle?
  3. How should the acceleration change as you vary the angle for a constant pulling force?

Reference

See Walker, Section 5-3

Illustration written by Steve Mellema and Chuck Niederriter