PHET Interactive Simulations: Forces in 1 Dimension

Topics

Force
Position
Velocity
Acceleration

Description

Explore the forces at work when you try to push a filing cabinet. Create an applied force and see the resulting friction force and total force acting on the cabinet. Charts show the forces, position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time. View a Free Body Diagram of all the forces (including gravitational and normal forces).

Sample Learning Goals

Predict, qualitatively, how an external force will affect the speed and direction of an object's motion.
Explain the effects with the help of a free body diagram.
Use free body diagrams to draw position, velocity, acceleration and force graphs and vice versa.
Explain how the graphs relate to one another.
Given a scenario or a graph, sketch all four graphs.