What Forces Act on a Car Pushing a Block in Physics?

AI Thread Summary
A car pushes a block across the floor, and the discussion focuses on drawing a free body diagram for the car. Key forces include the normal force acting upwards, gravity acting downwards, and the forces exerted by the block and friction, both directed to the left. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing action-reaction pairs, clarifying that the force exerted by the block on the car is separate from the car's force on the block. There is confusion regarding how the car can move to the right despite the leftward forces, emphasizing the need to understand net forces in the system. Understanding these forces is crucial for accurately depicting the dynamics of the scenario.
TylerK
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A car pushes a block across the floor. (assume that it is moving from left to the right)

Draw a free body diagram for the car showing: Force by block on car. Force of friction. Force of Gravity. Normal force.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



Normal force Straight up, gravity straight down. Force of box on car going left + force of friction going left.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
alright, i'll attach something for you

Note: Remember that no matter what your object is, it will remain as a box. Do not bother into details, only what that object (or system) it is.
 

Attachments

Last edited:
is "force by rabbit" the same as force of car on rabbit? I interpreted that as the equal and opposite reaction push back onto the car from the rabbit.
 
they are action-reaction pairs I think, but no, they are separate forces. Remember to label each one with a different name.
 
TylerK said:

Homework Statement


A car pushes a block across the floor. (assume that it is moving from left to the right)

Draw a free body diagram for the car showing: Force by block on car. Force of friction. Force of Gravity. Normal force.
when did the block change into a rabbit?
Normal force Straight up, gravity straight down. Force of box on car going left + force of friction going left.
if the friction force on car and force of block on car both point left, how does the car move to the right?
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Free Body Diagram of Mass-Spring System
Replies
5
Views
1K
Potential Mistake in Free-Body Diagram
Replies
5
Views
2K
Free body diagram on a block pushed against a ceiling
Replies
7
Views
3K
Finding Radial Force from Free Body Diagram
Replies
4
Views
2K
Block on top of an inclined plane, with a rough surface, that moves with constant acceleration
Replies
41
Views
4K
Is it friction or tension acting on the person hanging on a rope?
Replies
4
Views
1K
Solving Free-Body Diagrams for Moving Nuts on Rods: Tips and Techniques
Replies
9
Views
2K
Calculating Distance: Free Body Diagram for Box Sliding with Friction
Replies
1
Views
2K
Center of mass and momentum- A question about systems
Replies
25
Views
1K
Free body Diagram of a Plank resting on two Cylinders
Replies
14
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top