Scribd
Upload
196 views

Forces Motion Phet Simulation

The document provides instructions for students to use two PhET simulations on forces and motion. It guides students through exploring balanced and unbalanced forces using objects like cabinets and applying different amounts of force. It also has students predict and then test how acceleration changes when increasing the applied force on an object with a set mass. Finally, it has students predict and test how a cart moves when different sized objects apply forces from different distances to understand net force.

Uploaded by

api-542317996
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
196 views

Forces Motion Phet Simulation

The document provides instructions for students to use two PhET simulations on forces and motion. It guides students through exploring balanced and unbalanced forces using objects like cabinets and applying different amounts of force. It also has students predict and then test how acceleration changes when increasing the applied force on an object with a set mass. Finally, it has students predict and test how a cart moves when different sized objects apply forces from different distances to understand net force.

Uploaded by

api-542317996
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Forces and Motion PhET Simulation

Learning Objectives:
● Be able to identify when an object is being acted upon by unbalanced forces.
● Be able to predict the change in motion when a force is applied to an object.

Directions:
1. Go to the link to the PhET simulation:
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/motion-series/latest/motion-series.html?simulatio
n=forces-and-motion

Part 1: Introduction Tab - Understanding balanced and unbalanced forces


1. Play with the first tab of the sim for about 5 minutes. ​What do you find?

2. Describe​ what is necessary to start the crate/file cabinet/other object moving.

3. Compare​ the Applied Force (Fa) arrow and the Friction Force (Ff) arrow.
a. What is similar?

b. What is different?

Part 2: Understanding Applied Friction and Total Force


At the top of the page select the “Friction” tab

4. How can you make the ​Friction Force​ arrow longer?

5. Apply enough force to ​move the cabinet​.


a. What do you think happens to the Friction Force arrow when you stop applying force
(no Applied Force arrow)?

b. What do you think happens to the Friction Force once the cabinet stops moving?

Part 3: Investigate Acceleration


At the top of the page select the “Force Graph” tab
Now set the mass to 100kg.
Start the applied force at 50N and slowly increment it in intervals of 50N. Predict what will happen
as you increase the force in the table below.

Use the PhET simulation to test your predictions.

Force Mass Acceleration prediction (m/s​2​)

50 N 100 kg

100 N 100 kg

150 N 100 kg

200 N 100 kg

250 N 100 kg

1000 N 100 kg

6. What do you notice about the relationship between force and acceleration? Explain.

Part 4: At the top of the page select the “Robot Moving Company” tab
Play the “Robot Moving Company” Game. What was your score?

PhET simulation #2
Directions:
1. Click on the link to our next PhET simulation:
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/forces-and-motion-basics/latest/forces-and-motion-ba
sics_en.html
2. When it opens click on “Net Force”
3. In the top right corner check the boxes that say “Sum of Forces” and “Values”
4. Set up each of the following situations, predict what will happen, press “go” and record what
actually takes place.

Part 5: Understanding Net Force

1. Place 2 people that are the same size the same distance away from the cart.
Predicted Movement Sum of Forces Actual Movement
(0,____ Newtons Left, or (None, Left, or Right)
_____Newtons Right)

2. Place 2 people that are the same size different distances away from the cart.

Predicted Movement Sum of Forces Actual Movement


(0,____ Newtons Left, or (None, Left, or Right)
_____Newtons Right)

3. Place 2 people that are different sizes the same distance away from the cart.

Predicted Movement Sum of Forces Actual Movement


(0,____ Newtons Left, or (None, Left, or Right)
_____Newtons Right)

4. Place 2 people that are different sizes different distances away from the cart.

Predicted Movement Sum of Forces Actual Movement


(0,____ Newtons Left, or (None, Left, or Right)
_____Newtons Right)

5.
a. Place 1 of the blue people anywhere on the rope. Press go.
b. After the cart starts moving press pause. Then place 1 red person of the same size
the same distance away from the cart.

Predicted Movement Sum of Forces Actual Movement


(0,____ Newtons Left, or (None, Left, or Right)
_____Newtons Right)

6.
a. Place 1 of the blue people anywhere on the rope. Press go.
b. After the cart starts moving press pause. Then place 1 red person of a larger size the
same distance away from the cart.

Predicted Movement Sum of Forces Actual Movement


(0,____ Newtons Left, or (None, Left, or Right)
_____Newtons Right)

7. In your own words define a balanced force.

8. In your own words define an unbalanced force.

You might also like