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Newton's Second Law

 Authors: Paulo Alves de Lima Filho (Extension School Grant) - Federal University of Ceara - UFC
                   Dr. Nildo Loiola Dias - Federal University of Ceara - UFC

CONTROLS: 

- Choose a planet from 4 possibilities. Thus, will be chosen the acceleration of local gravity.
- Choose a coefficient of friction from 4 possibilities.
- Choose a constant horizontal force from 4 possibilities.
- Choose the body mass from 4 possibilities.
- The APPLY FORCE button allows you to check the movement of the body (if the applied force is greater than the static friction force) and at the same time start the stopwatch.
- The POSITION button places the block in the initial position, resets the timer and allows a new choice of variables.


DESCRIPTION OF THE SIMULATION:

This simulation allows the study of Newton's second law by applying a constant horizontal force on a body that can move on a horizontal surface. A choice of known parameters (gravity, coefficient of friction, force and mass) allows the verification of Newton's second law. Newton's second law can also be used to determine unknown parameters (gravity, coefficient of friction, force and mass). A stopwatch makes it possible to measure the movement time and thus calculate the acceleration of the system in order to relate it to the resulting force. Simulation allows the determination of kinetic friction coefficients, but it does not allow the determination of static friction coefficients.


For an analysis of the data, consult one of the proposed ACTIVITY GUIDE.
 

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