Understanding Acceleration: Pulling a Box at an Angle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the acceleration of a box being pulled at an angle on a horizontal surface. Participants explore the implications of the pulling force's angle on the box's acceleration in both the x and y directions, considering various factors such as the normal force and surface characteristics.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that pulling a box at an angle introduces an unbalanced force in the y direction, potentially leading to acceleration in that direction.
  • Others argue that the net force in the y direction could remain zero depending on the magnitude of the pulling force and the adjustments of the normal force.
  • A participant suggests that if the surface has diagonal features, it could create a y component of force, resulting in some y acceleration.
  • Another participant notes that in typical textbook scenarios, it is assumed that the box remains in contact with the surface, implying no vertical acceleration.
  • One contribution mentions that if the vertical component of the pulling force becomes significant enough, it could cause the box to tilt, affecting the normal force.
  • Several participants agree that in standard cases, the box does not experience vertical acceleration while being pulled at an angle on a horizontal plane.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that in typical scenarios, the box remains on the surface without vertical acceleration. However, there are competing views regarding the effects of the pulling force's angle and the potential for vertical acceleration under certain conditions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of surface characteristics or the specific conditions under which vertical acceleration might occur. Assumptions about the uniformity of the surface and the nature of the pulling force are not fully explored.

pb23me
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when you pull a box at an angle is it accelerating in the y direction? I would think it is since there is now an unbalanced force in the y direction.
 
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pb23me said:
when you pull a box at an angle is it accelerating in the y direction? I would think it is since there is now an unbalanced force in the y direction.
That depends on how hard you pull. It could very well be that the net force in the y direction remains zero. (Note that the normal force of the floor on the box will adjust itself as the angled force is applied.)
 
To be sure of what you are actually asking, perhaps you could describe, in 3D?, which direction is which. Is this box just on a plane and is the force parallel to the plane?
 
its a 2D problem and no the force is at an angle to the plane. its being pulled along the x axis.
 
I could give the obvious answer and say that I wouldn't expect any acceleration in the y direction if there were no component of impressed force in that direction.
That presupposes that the surface is uniform, though. If there are any 'diagonal' features in the textures of the surfaces then that could produce a y component of force - and some y acceleration. 'Mating' grooves on both surfaces at 45 degrees could produce equal movement in x and y directions - that would be an extreme case..
 
pb23me said:
its a 2D problem and no the force is at an angle to the plane. its being pulled along the x axis.
If this is a typical textbook problem where a box is being pull along a horizontal surface by some rope at an angle, you can most likely assume that the box remains in contact with the surface and that there's no vertical acceleration.
 
As Doc Al said:
The effect of having some vertical component of the pulling force is to alter the magnitude of normal force.

Clearly, it IS possible that this vertical component becomes so large as to make the box tilt, but even in the case when the box doesn't visibly get this type of vertical acceleration, the normal force has changed.
 
I totally misread the op. Durr!

If the string is pulled so that the acceleration is enough for the vertical component to be g then the block will leave the plane. If the angle between the string and the plane is θ then the force would need to be >mg/sin(θ)
 
i am fairly new to this site, but as Doc Al said this is a typical physics problem even if the box is being pulled forward or backward at an angle it is safe to assume that the box remains on the surface or (ground) giving it no vertical acceleration.
 
  • #10
I agree with Doctor AL on this question, while pulling the box on an angle you need to consider that it is still on the horizontal x plane, and therefore has no vertical acceleration. Think of it as if you were pushing or pulling a box up a hill and that might make the direction of the forces easier to visualize
 

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