Forces and Motion using PhET’s Force and Motion Basics HTML5
Part 2 – Friction
Name__________________
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to
Predict how forces can change motion.
Provide reasoning and evidence to explain motion changing or not.
1. Open the Forces and Motion Basics simulation and
play with the Friction screen for a few minutes.
a. How does the Friction screen differ from the Net Force and Motion screens?
it differs because the net force screen has two people pulling something
and the motion screen has somebody pushing somebody.
b. Also, what is something new you discovered?
that sam can only push a certaint amount
2. Imagine that your friend, Sam is trying to move a box.
a. Using what you learned by exploring, try drawing arrows to predict what might happen in the
pictures below. (Try this part without using the simulation.)
Sam not pushing Sam pushing but box not Sam pushing and box moving
moving
b. Check your sketches using the sim and make corrections if needed. List any new ideas you
discovered.
it took 1 newtons for sam to push the box
c. What do you notice about the similarities and differences between the Applied Force arrow
and the Friction Force arrows in each situation?
the diffrence between them is that the apllied force arrow goes forward
and the friction arrow goes towards sam or backward
3. How can you make the Friction Force more? What shows you that the force is more?
In order to make the friction force more you have to have more newtons.
Also you know you have more newtons when you have more force.
Forces and Motion: Basics 1
Forces and Motion using PhET’s Force and Motion Basics HTML5
Part 2 – Friction
4. In your own words,
a. describe Friction Force.
Friction force is when you push something.
b. describe Applied Force.
applied force is when you use negative force
5. Have Sam try to move the refrigerator. What’s different from pushing the box?
The diffrence is that you need more force.
a. In the table, draw the Sum of Forces arrow for the different cases:
Sam pushing but Sam pushing and
Sam not pushing
refrigerator not moving refrigerator moving
b. Were you able to move the refrigerator? If not, what would you have to change? Describe
what you did.
In order too move the fridge you have too put down the crate at 200 newtons then put the
then remove the crate
6. Try pushing other things; you can even stack them. What have you discovered?
I found out that you can stack a crate and a girl at 300 newtons.
Forces and Motion: Basics 2
Forces and Motion using PhET’s Force and Motion Basics HTML5
Part 2 – Friction
7. Can you find different ways to make the Sum of Forces arrow change?
a. List at least three:
1: make the newtons more
2:add a fridge
3: add larger things
b. In your own words, what is Net Force?
Net force is two forces going toghter at the same time
8. What are some ways you can change the speed?
adding more newtons , putting smaller items
9. Using your answers to Question #8, what general statement can you make about the relationship
between net force and how fast an object changes its speed.
Forces and Motion: Basics 3
