Textbook Question
A baseball player is sliding into second base. Identify the forces on the baseball player.
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Ch 05: Force and Motion
Chapter 5, Problem 5
Problems 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 show a free-body diagram. For each:
a. Identify the direction of the acceleration vector a and show it as a vector next to your diagram. Or, if appropriate, write a = 0.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify all the forces acting on the object: normal force (n), gravitational force (F_g), kinetic friction force (f_k), and net force (F_net).
Determine the direction of each force: n is upward, F_g is downward, f_k is to the left, and F_net is to the right.
Since F_net is the resultant force, it indicates the direction of the acceleration vector (a).
Draw the acceleration vector (a) in the same direction as F_net, which is to the right.
Conclude that the acceleration vector (a) points to the right, parallel to the x-axis.
Verified Solution
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Free-Body Diagram
A free-body diagram is a graphical representation used to visualize the forces acting on an object. It shows all the external forces, including their magnitudes and directions, allowing for a clear analysis of the net force and resulting motion. In this context, the diagram illustrates forces such as normal force (n), kinetic friction (fk), and gravitational force (Fg).
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Free-Body Diagrams
Net Force
The net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object. It determines the object's acceleration according to Newton's second law, F_net = ma. If the net force is zero, the object is in equilibrium, meaning it either remains at rest or moves with constant velocity. In the provided diagram, the direction of the net force (F_net) indicates the overall effect of the acting forces.
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Acceleration Vector
The acceleration vector represents the rate of change of velocity of an object and is directed in the same direction as the net force acting on it, as per Newton's second law. If the net force is non-zero, the object will accelerate in that direction. In the context of the question, identifying the direction of the acceleration vector is crucial for understanding the motion of the object depicted in the free-body diagram.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Exercises 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 describe a situation. For each, identify all forces acting on the object and draw a free-body diagram of the object. Your physics textbook is sliding across the table.
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Textbook Question
Exercises 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 describe a situation. For each, identify all forces acting on the object and draw a free-body diagram of the object. An ice hockey puck glides across frictionless ice.
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Textbook Question
Newton's First Law Exercises 17, 18, and 19 show two of the three forces acting on an object in equilibrium. Redraw the diagram, showing all three forces. Label the third force F3.
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Textbook Question
A single force with x-component Fₓ acts on a 2.0 kg object as it moves along the x-axis. A graph of Fₓ versus t is shown in FIGURE P5.32. Draw an acceleration graph aₓ versus t) for this object.
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Textbook Question
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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