Graphs for an Object in Mechanical Equilibrium
Now, let's imagine you start pushing on the refrigerator in the positive direction. The refrigerator is on a rough floor, and the frictional force between the floor and the refrigerator prevents the refrigerator from moving, even though you are pushing on it. So, now the refrigerator has a force acting on it in the positive direction which is applied by you and a force acting on it in the negative direction which is applied by friction. However, the net force acting on the refrigerator is zero, and the refrigerator does not move; it stays at rest even while you apply the force to the refrigerator. On your own sheet of paper, draw the Net Force Versus Time graph and the Velocity Versus Time graph for this situation.
After you have drawn your graphs, select the Net Force Versus Time and Velocity Versus Time graphs in the self-quiz below which look the MOST like the graphs you have drawn.
Pushing the Refrigerator While the Refrigerator Does Not Move Self-Quiz
Scroll to the top of the page and read before attempting the quiz.
- What do you think the Net Force Versus Time graph looks like for the refrigerator when you are pushing on it while friction pushes back enough that the refrigerator does NOT move? Select the graph which looks the MOST like the Net Force Versus Time graph you drew.
- What do you think the Velocity Versus Time graph looks like for the refrigerator when you are pushing on it while friction pushes back enough that the refrigerator does NOT move? Select the graph which looks the MOST like the Velocity Versus Time graph you drew.