Q14CQ - College Physics (Urone)

Question

The gravitational force on the basketball in Figure 4.6 is ignored. When gravity is taken into account, what is the direction of the net external force on the basketball—above horizontal, below horizontal, or still horizontal.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The direction of the net external force acting on the basketball will be below the horizontal when the force due to gravity is taken into account.

Step 1: Concept of Newton’s second law of motion

Newton’s second law of motion states that the acceleration of a system is directly proportional to the net external force acting on the system and is inversely proportional to the mass of the system. Mathematically,

$F_{net}=ma$

Here${{}^F}_{net}$is the net force,${}^m$ is the mass, and${}^a$is the acceleration.

Step 2: Direction of net external force when gravity is considered

Referring to figure 4.6, the direction of the net external force acting on the basketball will be below the horizontal when the force due to gravity is taken into account.