Question

TASK 2
a. Place 2 people that are the same size different distances away from the cart.
b. Make a prediction about the movement of the cart.
c. AFTER you have observed the actual movement, click on the sum of the
forces box at the top right hand corner of the simulation. Record the number
in the data chart.
Predicted
Movement
Actual
Movement
(none, left,
right)
Sum of
Forces
(0, x-left,
x-right)

Answer 1

I don’t know which side you put the closer person on, so I’ll give (1) the general rule you should use to make the prediction and (2) a filled example you can adapt.

General rule
- If the two people have the same “size” (same strength/weight) but are at different distances from the cart, the nearer person exerts the larger force on the cart.
- Therefore the cart will move toward the closer person.
- The sum of the forces will be nonzero and point toward that side (reported by the simulation as x-left or x-right with a magnitude).

Example you can use
- If you place the closer person on the left:
- Predicted Movement: left
- Actual Movement: (watch the simulation; likely left)
- Sum of Forces: (after observing, click the “sum of the forces” box and copy the value; e.g. “2.3 N - left”)

- If you place the closer person on the right:
- Predicted Movement: right
- Actual Movement: (watch the simulation; likely right)
- Sum of Forces: (copy the number shown; e.g. “2.3 N - right”)

What you should do now
1. Place the two same-size people different distances from the cart.
2. Predict the cart will move toward the closer person (left or right depending on where you put them).
3. Run the sim and observe the actual movement.
4. Click the “sum of the forces” box and record the numeric value and direction in your chart.

If you tell me which side you put the closer person on and the number the simulation shows for the sum of forces, I can help you fill in the table exactly.