Joe needs to push a file cabinet across the room. He begins by just looking at i

Question

Joe needs to push a file cabinet across the room. He begins by just looking at it. (Scene 1)

He then begins pushing on the file cabinet. At first, the file cabinet does not move. (Scene 2) Then the file cabinet begins to slide. (Scene 3)

1. Use words and pictures to describe all the forces you think are acting on the cabinet in each scene.

2. Why do you think the file cabinet moves in scene 3 but not in scene 1 or 2?

3. If the floor is covered with ice, how would the motion of the cabinet change?

Explanation / Answer

In Scene 1, The forces that are acting on the cabinet are the forces of friction trying to pull the cabinet back, the applied force is acting on it in the forward direction. Also, there is the normal force acting from the ground below and the weight acting downwards. The force of friction is more than the applied force.

In Scene 2, The forces that are acting on the cabinet are the forces of friction trying to pull the cabinet back, the applied force is acting on it in the forward direction. Also, there is the normal force acting from the ground below and the weight acting downwards. The force of friction is equal to the applied force.

In Scene 3, The forces that are acting on the cabinet are the forces of friction trying to pull the cabinet back, the applied force is acting on it in the forward direction. Also, there is the normal force acting from the ground below and the weight acting downwards. The force of friction is more than the applied force.

In Scene 3, the cabinet moves as the applied force is able to overcome the force of friction.

If the floor is covered with ice, the motion of the cabinet would change as there would be no or nrgligible amount of frictional force acting.

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