A single force with x-component Fₓ acts on a 500 g object as it moves along the x-axis. The object's acceleration graph aₓ versus t) is shown in FIGURE P5.30. Draw a graph of Fₓ versus t.
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Identify the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration using Newton's second law, which states that F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration.
Convert the mass of the object from grams to kilograms for consistency in SI units. Since 1 kg = 1000 g, divide the mass in grams by 1000.
Extract the acceleration data aₓ from the given graph for different time points t. This data represents how the acceleration varies with time.
Calculate the force Fₓ at each time point using the formula Fₓ = m * aₓ, where m is the mass you converted to kilograms and aₓ is the acceleration at each time point from the graph.
Plot the calculated force values Fₓ against the corresponding time values t to create the graph of Fₓ versus t.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Newton's Second Law of Motion
Newton's Second Law states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma). This principle is fundamental in understanding how forces affect the motion of an object. In this scenario, the force Fₓ can be determined by multiplying the mass of the object (0.5 kg) by its acceleration at any given time.
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. In the context of the question, the acceleration graph aₓ versus t provides crucial information about how the object's speed changes over time, which directly influences the force acting on it.
Graphing forces versus time allows for a visual interpretation of how the force acting on an object changes over time. The area under the acceleration graph can be used to determine the corresponding force graph, as the force is proportional to the acceleration. Understanding how to translate acceleration data into force data is essential for accurately drawing the Fₓ versus t graph.