Lab 3: Simulation of Friction and Newton’s Laws

Our goal in this lab is to explore how frictional forces work, and use what we learn to understand how forces affect motion. To do this we will use a computer simulation, Force and Motion (Links to an external site.).

Running the Simulation

The simulation requires either Java or the use of ChirpJ as instructed at the link above. However, some machines still may not run the simulation. If you cannot get the simulation to run on your device, you can access it by using VMWare Horizon to access the Learning Center computers. Use the Learning Center computers, open Chrome, and search for “phet Forces and Motion”. Make sure you are using the “Forces and Motion” simulation, NOT the “Forces and Motion Basics” one.

Doing The Lab

Once you have read through the instructions above, start the lab by clicking “Start the Quiz” below. The questions will contain further instructions. Enter your answers but do not hit the “submit quiz” button until you are done with the entire lab. In theory Canvas should save anything you enter into the quiz even before you submit the quiz, though I recommend keeping a backup copy of your answers on your own computer. You should be able to enter and leave the quiz as much as you like until the due date.