Suppose that a cart is moving along a road at a constant velocity. Which choice below would increase net force on the cart
To increase the net force on the cart, you would need to apply an external force in the opposite direction to the motion of the cart. Therefore, the choice below that would increase the net force on the cart is:
- Applying a force in the opposite direction of the cart's motion.
To increase the net force on the cart, we need to apply an external force on the cart in the same direction as its velocity. This can be accomplished by:
1. Pushing or pulling the cart in the direction of its motion.
2. Applying a force on the cart by attaching an external device, like an engine or a rocket, that propels it forward.
3. Increasing the magnitude of the force already acting on the cart in the direction of motion.
To understand how to increase the net force on the cart, we first need to understand what net force is. Net force is the overall force acting on an object, which can cause it to accelerate or decelerate.
In this scenario, if the cart is moving along a road at a constant velocity, that means there is no acceleration. According to Newton's First Law of Motion (also known as the law of inertia), an object at rest or moving at a constant velocity will remain in that state unless acted upon by an external force.
Therefore, if we want to increase the net force on the cart and change its constant velocity, we need to introduce an external force that is not balanced by any opposing force. Here are a few possible choices:
1. Apply a continuous pushing force in the same direction as the cart’s motion. This additional force will create an unbalanced force, adding to the net force and causing the cart to accelerate.
2. Increase the friction between the wheels of the cart and the road. This can be done by increasing the weight of the cart, using a rougher surface on the wheels, or applying a braking force. The increased friction will create an unbalanced force opposing the forward motion, resulting in a decrease in velocity.
3. Reduce the opposing forces acting on the cart. Opposing forces can include wind resistance and friction from other sources. By reducing these forces, the net force acting on the cart will increase.
It is important to note that these choices assume that we want to change the velocity of the cart. If we want to maintain the constant velocity, then no additional net force needs to be applied, as long as there are no opposing forces acting on the cart.