Newton's Laws of Motion
Force, Mass, and Acceleration with Dynamic Carts
Explore Newton's Second Law (F=ma) by adjusting force and mass to observe changes in acceleration. See how different combinations affect the motion of carts on a track!
Mass: 1kg
Mass: 2kg
Newton's Second Law: F = ma
Applied Force: 10N
Acceleration: 0.00 m/s²
Observation:
When the same force is applied, carts with different masses accelerate at different rates. The more massive cart accelerates more slowly.
The Science Behind Newton's Laws
Key Concepts:
Newton's Laws of Motion describe the relationship between forces and motion:
- First Law (Inertia): Objects remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a net force
- Second Law (F=ma): Acceleration is directly proportional to net force and inversely proportional to mass
- Third Law (Action-Reaction): For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
Practical Applications:
Newton's Second Law explains why:
- Lighter cars accelerate faster than trucks with the same engine force
- It's harder to push a full shopping cart than an empty one
- Rockets need tremendous force to lift their massive weight
