Summation of Forces
From UO Physics Demonstration Catalog
Return to Newton's Laws
Description:
Shows a summation of forces keeping a cart at equilibrium. The inclined plane is at 30 degrees and the cart has mass 1kg. Masses on pulleys mimic the normal force of the plane and the static friction that would be needed to keep the cart from sliding down the plane. The cart floats a little above the plane, so once the incline is removed, the cart stays at rest at the angle because the sum of forces is zero. Normal force is mimicked by an 866g mass on a string perpendicular to the plane, static friction is mimicked by a 500g mass hanging from a string parallel to the plane.
Location:
- Inclined plane: A1
- Dynamics Cart: DR 25
- Masses & Hangers: A4
- Large Pulleys: DR 3
- Rod Stand & Clamp x2
