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Physics 111 Lab #3:

Frictional Forces




  Static and Kinetic Friction



The relationship between the velocity of the cart (top), and the pulling force applied to the cart (bottom). Notice that the pulling force reaches a maximum as the cart begins to move, then maintains a constant, reduced value as the cart slides with constant velocity.

 

What's happening?



 Motion Up and Down an Incline in the Presence of a Constant Drag Force





The effects of a constant drag force (Lectures 7, 8) on the motion of a cart moving up and down an incline will also be studied.





What's happening?



 Constant Velocity of a Cart on an Incline



The conditions under which a cart sliding down an incline in the presence of a frictional force experiences a constant velocity will also be investigated. In particular, the critical angle, Øcrit, at which the cart has a constant velocity for a given frictional force will be predicted and measured (Lectures 7, 8).


For track inclination angles, Ø, such that Ø > Øcrit, the cart exhibits a positive acceleration (a > 0), while for Ø < Øcrit, the cart exhibits a negative acceleration (a < 0) and eventually stops. For Øcrit = Ø, the cart maintains a constant velocity, vterm (a=0).

What's happening?



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