Newtonian mechanics
Net force and acceleration on an incline
Explore Newton's second law quantitatively, a = ΣF/m, for an object moving along an inclined plane. Measure acceleration as mass and net force change, then verify .
⚠ This is an educational simulation; it does not replace safety procedures for experiments with heavy or moving objects.
Equipment
- Object on an inclined plane with a pulling force
- m, F, θ, and μ sliders; acceleration readout
Procedure
Change each contributor to the net force
Press Reset object midway up the slope. Set μ = 0 with its slider, hold θ fixed, then increase F; read acceleration a to see a larger net force produce greater acceleration. Next reduce F and increase θ to increase gravity's downslope component, then increase mass m while keeping the other settings fixed and compare a. Finally raise μ and observe friction's effect on acceleration. Compare the observed quantities with .
Compare acceleration across masses
Set friction to zero, keep slope angle and pull fixed, then vary m. Record each acceleration and compare with ; increasing mass lowers acceleration when net force is unchanged.
Check resistance on the incline
Keep m, F, and angle θ fixed while increasing friction coefficient μ in turn. Observe acceleration decrease or reverse; relate the result to the downslope net force from pull, gravity's component, and friction. Compare the observed quantities with .