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Torque Simulation and Analysis Guide

The document provides instructions for using the PhET Torque simulation, detailing how to manipulate ladybugs on a wheel to observe torque effects. It explains the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, and discusses the role of static friction in circular motion. The document also prompts users to analyze changes in acceleration and net torque under varying conditions.

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42 views3 pages

Torque Simulation and Analysis Guide

The document provides instructions for using the PhET Torque simulation, detailing how to manipulate ladybugs on a wheel to observe torque effects. It explains the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, and discusses the role of static friction in circular motion. The document also prompts users to analyze changes in acceleration and net torque under varying conditions.

Uploaded by

haydenduanegray
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PhET – Torque

Go to: [Link]

Turn down your volume!

Intro
 You can see how the simulator will work at this screen.
o You can place either (or both) red and green lady bugs on the multicolored wheel.
o By clicking and dragging the cursor on the wheel, you will generate torque in either direction of your choice.
 The velocity and acceleration vectors will be shown

 Take a few seconds to test it out

Torque
1. Click the tab at the top that says torque
2. Set the force equal to 1 N.
3. Record the radius or distance the bug is from the center:

4. Click “Go” (any of the three will do) and run for at least 10 seconds (x-axis on all three graphs).
5. What is the torque on the wheel (include direction from RHR).
4 Nm

6. What eventually happens to the lady bug if you let it run for a while?
The ladybug slid off the disc

7. What does Newton’s 2nd Law state when a force is applied?

It establishes that force=mass times acceleration therefore when a constant force is applied it gains a
constant acceleration

8. Think back to circular motion, what must be the centripetal force that keeps the lady bug moving in a circle?
What forces would be on the Free-Body Diagram?
Static friction keeps the bug spinning
Friction and applied force should be on the FBD

9. Why does this force eventually fail?


10. Reset all, and set the force back to 1 N.
11. Observe the acceleration vector as you start. How does it change over time (Pause it immediately after
starting and then a few times every few seconds)?

12. Will the acceleration vector ever point directly to the center? Why / Why not?

13. Reset all. Set the force back to 1 N.


14. Hit “Go”, wait about 2 seconds and then “Stop”.
15. Set the brake force to 1 N (directly under the lady bug image). Hit enter and observe (i.e. Hit “Go”).
16. Describe the motion of the wheel

17. What happened to the acceleration vector? Why?

18. What is the net torque?

19. Reset all. Set the Force back to 1 N. Hit “Go”.


20. After a few seconds, set the brake force equal to 3N and hit enter.
21. Right after you set the break force, calculate the net torque:
22. Eventually the disc stops and the net torque is zero. This is because the breaking torque changed as you can
see in the graph. Why did it change? You can move the grey vertical line in the graph to the sections you
need to view data for if necessary.

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