two stationary blocks—one on ice, and one on gravel. It is easier to push a block on ice than it is to push a block on gravel. Apply your knowledge of inertia and Newton's First Law of Motion to explain why.
Question
two stationary blocks—one on ice, and one on gravel. It is easier to push a block on ice than it is to push a block on gravel. Apply your knowledge of inertia and Newton's First Law of Motion to explain why.
Solution
Newton's First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of Inertia, states that an object at rest will stay at rest and an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
When you try to push a block on ice, there is less friction between the block and the ice compared to the block and the gravel. Friction is the force that opposes the motion of an object. It is an unbalanced force that acts against the direction of motion.
In the case of the block on ice, the friction is very low due to the smooth and slippery surface of the ice. This means that a small amount of force is needed to overcome this friction and set the block in motion.
On the other hand, gravel is a rough surface and has a high frictional force. Therefore, a greater amount of force is needed to overcome this friction and move the block.
So, according to Newton's First Law of Motion, it is easier to push a block on ice than on gravel because less force is needed to overcome the friction and change the state of motion of the block on ice.
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