Interactive Physics program broken?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a potential issue with an Interactive Physics program, specifically regarding the application of an 8N force at an angle of 30º and its effects on acceleration and normal force in a frictionless environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze the force components and their impact on acceleration and normal force, questioning the program's output. Other participants raise concerns about missing information, such as the mass and coefficient of friction, while some confirm the frictionless condition and discuss its implications on the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some have provided calculations that align with each other, suggesting a possible bug in the program or a misunderstanding of the scenario.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of certain parameters, such as the coefficient of friction, which may affect the analysis. The frictionless condition is emphasized, leading to questions about the relevance of vertical force components.

leatherneckpa
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Homework Statement


I believe there is some kind of glitch in my Interactive Physics program. The screen shot below is supposed to be the result of applying an 8N force at 30º above the horizontal, from the left. My knowledge(?) tells me that a portion of that 8N is going to be expended pushing upward against FG, which would indeed reduce FN, but certainly not to only 2.1N. I also question the acceleration value of 5.1 m/s2. If a portion of the driving force is used to push up against gravity then there is less force to be used for acceleration, and it should be less than the 4.0 m/s2 from a direct horizontal application. Correct?

Homework Equations


Forcesangled.jpg


The Attempt at a Solution


Using a little trig (cos of 30º) I calculated the remainder of the drive force to be 6.928N. Dividing that by the 2kg mass of the block I calculated the acceleration to be 3.464 m/s2 to the right.
 
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The mass and coefficient of friction don't appear to be shown...
 
The mass of the block is 2kg, and the plane is frictionless.
 
leatherneckpa said:
The mass of the block is 2kg, and the plane is frictionless.

If it's frictionless, then the vertical component does not matter. I get the same acceration answer as you do. Either the program has a bug, or there is something else going on.
 

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