A low-friction cart is viewed from above on a horizontal track
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Force and Laws of Motion · Force and Laws of Motion
Problem
A low-friction cart is viewed from above on a horizontal track. In each of the three situations below, every horizontal force acting on the cart is listed.
• Situation I : 4N due east and 4N due west
• Situation II : 5N due north and 3N due south
• Situation III : 6N due east and 4N due north
Assume the cart’s mass remains the same in every situation and that vertical forces are balanced by the track.
(1) For each situation, state whether the horizontal forces on the cart are balanced or unbalanced, and give the magnitude and compass direction of the net horizontal force, if any.
(2) For Situation II, describe qualitatively how the cart’s speed and direction of motion will change during the first second after the forces are applied. Include a clear explanation that connects the state of the forces to the cart’s acceleration and resulting velocity.
(3) For Situation III, the cart is initially at rest at the origin of an xy-grid whose axes point east (+x) and north (+y). Sketch and describe the qualitative shape of the cart’s subsequent trajectory in this plane for the first few seconds of motion.