A highly polished block of wood is given a push that sets it sliding across a polished floor.

a) what path does it take?
b) why does it gradually slow down?
c) what change would take place in the motion of the block of wood if the friction between it and the floor were increased?????

PLEASE EXPLAIN CLEARLY.. ITS A TEST REVIEW QUESTION & I NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT FOR MY TEST ON FRIDAY!!! THANK U!

Let's hear your ideas first. These questions are not hard. Think about friction, which opposes motion and acts in the opposite direction to motion.

We will be happy to critique your thoughts.

yeah its not hard 4 u but i need help ok........

The forces that are exerted on the block are small, so the block will move in a straight line and will only very gradually slow down. If the friction is increased then it will slow down faster.

rgfae

I apologize if my previous response seemed dismissive. I'm here to help and provide a clear explanation.

a) The block of wood, when given a push, will continue to move in a straight line. This is because there are no external forces acting on it to change its direction. The only force acting upon it is friction, which opposes its motion but does not change its path.

b) The gradual slowing down of the block is due to the force of friction between the block and the polished floor. Friction is a force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact. In this case, the friction between the block and the floor acts in the opposite direction to the block's motion, causing it to slow down. As the block slides across the floor, the frictional force converts its kinetic energy (energy of motion) into heat, which dissipates into the surroundings.

c) If the friction between the block and the floor were increased, the block would slow down even more rapidly. The increased friction would exert a stronger opposing force on the block's motion, resulting in a greater loss of kinetic energy. Consequently, the block would come to a stop sooner than before, as the increased friction counteracts its initial velocity more effectively.

I hope this explanation helps you understand the concepts involved. If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, please let me know.