A toy car is given a quick push so that it moves on an inclined ramp. After it is released, it moves up, reaches its highest point and moves back down again. Friction is so small it can be ignored. What net force acts on the car?
A. net force of zero
B. Net constant force up the ramp
C. net increasing force up the ramp
D. net increasing force down the ramp
E. net constant force down the ramp
F. net decreasing force down the ramp
G. net decreasing force up the ramp
Would it be choice C, E or F?
m g sin (ramp angle) is constant down the ramp so E
Well, let's see. The toy car is moving up the ramp, reaching its highest point, and then moving back down again. Since friction is negligible, the only force that is acting on the car is the force of gravity.
Now, when the car is moving up the ramp, the force of gravity is acting against it, trying to pull it down. So, the net force on the car is a sum of the force of gravity and the force that is pushing the car up the ramp. This net force is in the direction up the ramp, which means it is opposite to the force of gravity.
After the car reaches its highest point and starts moving back down, the force of gravity is no longer acting against it. In fact, the force of gravity is now aiding the car in moving down the ramp. So, the net force on the car is simply the force of gravity, which is acting down the ramp.
Therefore, the correct answer would be choice G, a net decreasing force up the ramp. I hope that helps, and remember, even if the toy car is having a rollercoaster ride, it's all downhill from here!
The net force acting on the toy car can be determined by examining the forces acting on it at different points along its motion on the inclined ramp.
When the toy car is moving up the ramp, the force of gravity acts downwards, and the normal force balances it out in the upward direction. Therefore, the net force is zero (choice A) as there is no net force acting on the car.
At the highest point of its motion, the car momentarily comes to a stop. At this point, the net force is still zero (choice A) as there is no acceleration.
As the car moves back down the ramp, the force of gravity acts downwards and the normal force acts upwards. Therefore, the net force is again zero (choice A) as there is no net force acting on the car.
In conclusion, the net force is zero (choice A) throughout the motion of the car on the inclined ramp.
To determine the net force acting on the car, we need to consider the forces acting on the car. In this situation, the only significant force acting on the toy car is the force of gravity.
As the car moves up the inclined ramp, gravity is pulling it downward, opposite to the direction of motion. This creates a net force that is directed downward, which causes the car to slow down. At the highest point of its motion, the car momentarily stops and changes direction.
As the car moves back down the ramp, gravity now acts in the same direction as the motion, accelerating the car. This creates a net force that is directed downward, causing the car to speed up.
Since the net force acting on the car changes from slowing it down when moving up to speeding it up when moving down, the correct choice would be F. The net force is decreasing when moving up the ramp and increasing when moving down the ramp.