A cart on a frictionless track is pulled to the right of its equilibrium position and…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A cart on a frictionless track is pulled 0.25m to the right of its equilibrium position and then released. Which statement describes the direction of the restoring force acting on the cart at that instant?
(a) Toward the right, because the restoring force is in the same direction as the displacement
(b) Toward the left, because the restoring force opposes the displacement
(c) There is no net force, because the cart is momentarily at rest when released
(d) Upward, because the spring supports the weight of the cart