Force to Move Objects from Rest

Physicist Danysha Miller
Group Members:
Physicist Terrell Merrill
Physicist Victoria Brown
4-11-07
11-2

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to determine how the force is required to start moving a stationary object compared to the force to keep an object moving.

Hypothesis: I think that the cart will require more force from rest than from moving.

Materials:
8" long string
Hall's cart
200 gram mass
Spring Scale

Procedure:
1. Cut a piece of string about 8" long.
2. Tie one end to the front of the Hall's cart and tie a loop in the free end.
3. Put the 200 gram mass in the Hall's cart.
4. Push the cart back and forth on the table.
5. Zero the spring scale and attach the hook on the spring scale to the spring loop on the cart.
6. Tug on the spring scale several times to start the cart moving from rest. Record the readings.
7. Now, jerk on the spring scale several times to rapidly start the cart moving rest. Record the readings.
8. Finally, pull the cart across a table or floor at a constant speed several times. Record the readings.
9. Repeat steps 1-7 four times.

Data:
TUG...
Trial 1= 0.1 N, 10g
Trial 2= 0.2 N, 20g
Trial 3= 0.3 N, 30g
Trial 4= 0.3 N, 30g

JERK...
Trial 1: 2.2N, 220g
Trial 2: 1.5N, 150g
Trial 3: 1.3N, 130g
Trial 4: 1.3N, 130g

CONSTANT...
Trial 1: 0.3N, 30g
Trial 2: 0.3N, 30g
Trial 3: 0.3N, 30g
Trial 4: 0.3N, 30g

Graphs/Pictures:






Conclusion: In conclusion starting an object at rest takes more force. Is also takes more force to start an object moving. So my hypothesis was correct. I also do noy think that this follows Newton's first law of motion.