A Question about Effect of Force on Rigid Bodies....

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of applied force on rigid bodies, specifically focusing on the behavior of a wall when a force is exerted upon it. Participants explore concepts related to acceleration, rigidity, and the interaction of forces in a physical context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the acceleration resulting from applying a force to a wall leads to noticeable deformation or if the wall's rigidity prevents any acceleration.
  • Another participant notes that in the real world, no objects are perfectly rigid, referencing the ladder paradox in special relativity to illustrate the complexities involved.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that the sum of forces must be considered, indicating that when a force is applied to the wall, equal and opposite forces develop, resulting in no net acceleration.
  • Another participant explains that the wall is likely anchored to the ground, and when force is applied, the ground exerts an equal and opposite force, which may not be noticeable due to the ground's mass.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of applying force to a wall, with no consensus reached on whether the wall experiences acceleration or deformation. Multiple competing perspectives remain regarding the nature of rigidity and force interactions.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about rigidity and the nature of forces are not fully explored, and the discussion does not resolve the complexities of real-world applications versus theoretical models.

Kaneki123
Messages
120
Reaction score
3
Okay...I have a simple question that, if we apply a force to a wall, then according to F=ma, the wall should have some acceleration at all the points we are applying the force...My question is that since the wall does not move move back, does this acceleration only result in a slight deformation of wall (something hard to notice) or is the wall so ''rigid'' that it does not ''allow this acceleration''?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You started with F=ma, but really you should start with sum F = m*a. When you apply a force in one direction (not enough to move the wall), the supports for the wall develop and equal force in the opposite direction. This way, the sum of forces remains zero, and hence no acceleration.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kaneki123
The wall is probably attached to the ground. When you push the wall, the ground pushes back. Now, if you are standing on the ground, then when you push the wall with a forward force, you push the ground with a backward force with your feet. These cancel, so the ground doesn't move. Irregardless, the ground is so big and heavy you wouldn't notice if it did move a little.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kaneki123

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 61 ·
3
Replies
61
Views
5K
  • · Replies 75 ·
3
Replies
75
Views
6K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K