Preview - Ap Physics 1 Mechanics

Free Fall with Force Vectors Displayed

This shows the same model as on the previous page but with force vectors for gravity and air resistance showing. 

Questions

Please answer the questions below.

Run the model with zero initial velocity. Do the vectors shown match what you drew on the previous page? If not, what makes your diagram different?

Set mass 1 to 8kg. As it falls from rest, what is the average acceleration from the start until it reaches terminal velocity? Do this using the velocity-time graph and compare your value to the acceleration-time graph.

Set the initial velocity to be positive. Does the mass travel very far upwards? Why? Answer in terms of F=ma!

As the mass is traveling upwards, what is the sign of the slope of the velocity-time graph? What is the value of the velocity?

As the mass is traveling upwards, what is the sign of the net force on the mass?

Why does the larger mass have a greater force of gravity acting on it? You must use an equation in your answer.

Hard: But think about it!!!!! Why does the smaller mass have a lower terminal velocity? Think about F=ma!

Does the sign of the acceleration and the net force acting on the ball change when the ball starts with an upward velocity and then switches directions?

The net force vs time graph below was produced with the NetLogo model with mass 1 starting with an initial positive (upwards) velocity. There are four regions labeled on the graph: two with positive slope each of which is followed by a region of zero slope. Draw a force vector diagram corresponding to each of these regions. The 2 forces must have appropriate magnitude and direction! For each diagram, also draw an arrow (or a dot if it is equal to zero) for (1) the direction of the velocity and (2) the direction of acceleration. Label all arrows. 

Note: Draw your sketch in the sketchpad below

Notes

These notes will appear on every page in this lesson so feel free to put anything here you'd like to keep track of.