The picture shows a physics lab setup.
Why does the disk fall straight down into the glass when the index card is quickly pulled away from the glass in a horizontal direction?
(1 point)
Responses
Static friction
Static friction
Inertia
Inertia
Equilibrium
Equilibrium
Kinetic friction
None of the above
The disk falls straight down into the glass when the index card is quickly pulled away from the glass in a horizontal direction due to inertia.
To understand why the disk falls straight down into the glass when the index card is quickly pulled away from the glass in a horizontal direction, we can consider the concepts of static friction, inertia, equilibrium, and kinetic friction.
First, let's rule out equilibrium as a possible explanation. Equilibrium refers to an object being in a state of balance, where all forces acting on it are equal and opposite, resulting in no net acceleration. In this situation, the disk is not at equilibrium because it falls downward.
Next, let's consider kinetic friction. Kinetic friction is the force that opposes the relative motion between two surfaces in contact. However, in this scenario, there is no contact between the disk and the glass once the index card is pulled away. Therefore, kinetic friction is not involved.
Now, let's focus on the factors of static friction and inertia. Static friction is the force that prevents two surfaces from sliding against each other when one tries to move relative to the other. Inertia, on the other hand, refers to an object's tendency to resist changes in its state of motion.
When the index card is quickly pulled away horizontally, the static friction between the index card and the disk prevents the disk from moving along with the card. However, once the card is removed, there is no more static friction acting on the disk. At this moment, due to inertia, the disk continues to move in its initial horizontal direction. Since there is no force to keep the disk in place, gravity takes over and causes the disk to fall straight down into the glass.
So, the correct answer to why the disk falls straight down into the glass in this situation is inertia.