Scribd
Upload
81 views2 pages

Day 4 - Lab - Newton's 2nd Law v.2

This document outlines an experiment to investigate Newton's Second Law by measuring how acceleration is affected by changes in force and mass. The experiment uses a dynamics cart, masses, a spring scale, motion sensor and pulley system. It involves collecting acceleration data when increasing the force applied to a cart of constant mass, and when increasing the mass of a cart with constant applied force. The results are then graphed to determine the relationships between force and acceleration, and between mass and acceleration based on the slopes of best-fit lines.

Uploaded by

john
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
81 views2 pages

Day 4 - Lab - Newton's 2nd Law v.2

This document outlines an experiment to investigate Newton's Second Law by measuring how acceleration is affected by changes in force and mass. The experiment uses a dynamics cart, masses, a spring scale, motion sensor and pulley system. It involves collecting acceleration data when increasing the force applied to a cart of constant mass, and when increasing the mass of a cart with constant applied force. The results are then graphed to determine the relationships between force and acceleration, and between mass and acceleration based on the slopes of best-fit lines.

Uploaded by

john
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

NEWTON’S SECOND LAW INVESTIGATION

PURPOSE: To determine through experimentation how:

a) acceleration is related to force (when mass is constant)


b) acceleration is related to mass (when force is constant)

APPARATUS: 1 kg dynamics cart, string, pulley, motion sensor, Vernier motion sensor, 0.2 kg
masses (x 3), 0.5 kg masses (x3), clamp, Newton spring scale

OBSERVATIONS: Create a data table on a separate sheet of paper to record your results. You will
have to read the procedure first before making your data table .

PROCEDURE – PART 1 – How is acceleration related to force (when mass is constant)?

1. Hang the 0.2 kg mass on a Newton spring scale to determine the amount of force this mass exerts.
Record this force in your data table.

2. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram above.

3. Use the Vernier motion sensor to determine the acceleration of the cart. Perform at least two trials.
Record the force exerted on the cart and the acceleration of the cart in your data table.

4. Repeat step #3 using double the force (2 x 0.2 kg of mass).

5. Repeat step #3 using triple the force (3 x 0.2 kg of mass).

PROCEDURE – PART 2 – How is acceleration is related to mass (when force is constant)?

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram above. Hang the 0.2 kg mass over the pulley and attach to
the string. This will be the constant force used to pull the cart. Make note of this force in your table.

2. Use the Vernier motion sensor to determine the acceleration of the cart. Perform at least two
trials. Record the mass of the cart and acceleration of the cart in your data table.

3. Put 500 g on top of the cart and repeat step #2.

4. Put 1000 g on top of the cart and repeat step #2.


Analysis Questions – Part 1:

1. Using proper graphing techniques, plot a graph of force (y) vs acceleration (x). Draw a line/curve of best
fit. What does the slope represent?

2. From your graph, describe the relationship between force and acceleration.

Analysis Questions – Part 2:

1. Using proper graphing techniques, plot a graph of acceleration (y) vs 1 (x). Draw a line/curve of best
fit. What does the slope represent? Mass

2. From your graph, describe the relationship between acceleration and mass.

Conclusion: Write a paragraph in response to the purpose summarizing your results and observations.
Remember to reference your data here. Finally, include an error analysis.
Discuss sources of error in the experiment.

You might also like