Vectors Tutorial

Work through the tutorial by clicking the image or link below, then answer the questions below. Vectors

Part A
The length of a force vector indicates the ________. ANSWER: magnitude of force direction of force

Correct
The magnitude of the force is the strength of the force.

Part B
Two vectors are shown in the figure. Which of the four vectors also shown best represents the resultant vector?

Hint 1. Parallelogram rule

Use the parallelogram rule to add the two vectors. ANSWER: vector A vector B vector C vector D

Correct
The horizontal component of the resultant vector is equal to the sum of the individual horizontal components of the two vectors, and the vertical component of the resultant vector is equal to the sum of the individual vertical components of the two vectors.

Part C
For which situation is the tension of the ropes higher?

Hint 1. What is supporting the force of gravity?

Only the components of the tension in the vertical direction support against the force of gravity. ANSWER: case B The tension of the ropes in case A is the same as that for case B. case A

Correct
Since the vertical components of the two tension vectors must add up to the persons weight, the tension must be higher when the ropes are more horizontal.

Part D
A person is hanging from two ropes, as shown in the figure. Which rope is supplying the higher tension force?

Hint 1. Using the horizontal forces

The net force in the horizontal direction is zero. ANSWER:

The rope to the right has the higher tension. The rope to the left has the higher tension. The tensions of the two ropes are equal to each other.

Correct
The resultant of the two tension forces must point directly upward (to support the force of gravity). Since the left rope is directed more vertically than the right rope, the left rope must have a higher tension such that the horizontal component of the two tensions cancels out.

Video Tutor: Ball Leaves Circular Track

First, launch the video below. You will be asked to use your knowledge of physics to predict the outcome of an experiment. Then, close the video window and answer the questions at right. You can watch the video again at any point.

Part A
Consider the video demonstration that you just watched. Which of the following changes would make it more likely for the ball to hit both the white can and the green can?

Hint 1. How to approach the problem

To answer this question, you first have to decide whether changing the balls mass or its speed can change the path it follows after it leaves the track. Newtons second law says that a net force acting on the ball will change the balls motionthat is, its speed and/or direction. Newtons first law says that, in the absence of a net force, the balls motion wont change. After the ball leaves the track, does a net force act on it? Draw a free-body diagram for the ball if youre not sure. To hit the green can, the ball must continue following a curved path. What would be needed to make that happen? ANSWER:

Use a ball that is heavier than the original ball. Use a ball that is lighter than the original ball, but still heavier than an empty can. Roll the ball slower. Roll the ball faster. None of the above

Correct
By Newtons first law, after it has left the circular track, the ball will travel in a straight line until it is subject to a nonzero net force. Thus, the ball can only hit the white can, because that is the only can in the balls straight-line path.

Video: The Old Tablecloth Trick

Watch the video and then answer the following questions.

Part A
When Dr. Hewitt pulls the tablecloth, what happens to the items on the tablecloth?

Hint 1. Property of objects at rest

What does an object at rest tend to do? ANSWER:

They move horizontally in the same direction as the tablecloth. They move vertically upward. They tend to stay where they were. They move horizontally in the opposite direction from the tablecloth.

Correct

Part B
When Dr. Hewitt pulls the tablecloth, why do the items on the tablecloth do what they do?

Hint 1. A property of all objects

What property of an object at rest tends to make it stay at rest? ANSWER: Inertia makes them stay at rest. Friction with the tablecloth is keeping them there. Friction with the table is keeping them there. They are attached to the tablecloth.

Correct

Part C
You tell your friend about the neat tablecloth trick that Dr. Hewitt demonstrated. Your friend tries to repeat this trick at home and later complains to you that it failed. Which of the following is most likely the reason that it failed?

Hint 1. Watching Dr. Hewitt carefully.

Watch carefully as Dr. Hewitt does the trick. Does he gently pull the tablecloth, or does he jerk it out? ANSWER:

Your friend is too clumsy. Your friend pulled the tablecloth too slowly. The items placed on the tablecloth were too light. Your friend pulled the tablecloth too quickly.

Correct