Identify the long-range forces acting on the crate. Is it: weight, spring force, tension, normal force, static friction, kinetic friction, drag, and/or thrust Please tell me all that would apply!
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To identify the long-range forces acting on a crate, we need to consider the types of forces that can act over a distance, meaning without direct contact between the objects. Here’s an overview of the forces you mentioned:
- Weight: This is a long-range force. Weight is the gravitational force exerted by the Earth on the crate. This force acts downwards, toward the center of the Earth. The weight of the crate is a direct result of the Earth’s gravity, and its magnitude is given by ( W = mg ), where ( m ) is the mass of the crate and ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity. Since gravity acts at a distance, weight is indeed a long-range force.
- Spring Force: This force arises from a compressed or stretched spring, and while it involves contact between the crate and the spring, it is not a long-range force in the strict sense. The spring force depends on the deformation of the spring, but it doesn’t act over large distances like gravitational or electrostatic forces. It’s a contact force, not a long-range force.
- Tension: Tension force is the force transmitted through a rope, string, or cable when it is pulled tight. It is a contact force and not considered long-range.
- Normal Force: The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. This is a contact force, not a long-range force.
- Static Friction: Static friction resists the initiation of motion between two surfaces in contact. Like normal force, it is a contact force and does not act over a distance.
- Kinetic Friction: Kinetic friction occurs when two surfaces are sliding past each other. This is also a contact force, not a long-range force.
- Drag: Drag is the resistive force exerted by a fluid (like air or water) on an object moving through it. It is a contact force because the object is in contact with the fluid, so it is not a long-range force.
- Thrust: Thrust is the force applied by an engine or a propeller to propel an object forward. It’s a contact force, not a long-range force.
Conclusion:
Among the forces listed, weight is the only long-range force. The other forces (spring force, tension, normal force, static friction, kinetic friction, drag, and thrust) are contact forces, meaning they require direct physical interaction between the objects involved.