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Lab 113 - Atwood Machine

The document summarizes an experiment using an Atwood machine to understand Newton's Second Law. The objective was to measure acceleration of two masses of unequal weight. Experimental trials were conducted to measure time and calculate acceleration, which was found to be 11.7% different than theoretical values. Calculations and equations were provided to analyze acceleration, time, distance, and percent difference between measured and predicted values. In conclusion, the experiment validated Newton's Second Law and the author questions what would occur with a truly frictionless pulley.

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Abdulahad Malik
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391 views5 pages

Lab 113 - Atwood Machine

The document summarizes an experiment using an Atwood machine to understand Newton's Second Law. The objective was to measure acceleration of two masses of unequal weight. Experimental trials were conducted to measure time and calculate acceleration, which was found to be 11.7% different than theoretical values. Calculations and equations were provided to analyze acceleration, time, distance, and percent difference between measured and predicted values. In conclusion, the experiment validated Newton's Second Law and the author questions what would occur with a truly frictionless pulley.

Uploaded by

Abdulahad Malik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lab 113: Atwood Machine

Abdulahad Malik Group B

10/11/20 Professor Cannon

PHYS 102-007

1. Objective

1.1. The objective of this lab is to understand two bodies of unequal mass and further

the understanding of Newton’s Second Law.

1.2. Background

1.2.1. The Atwood machine built by Rev. George Atwood was an instrument

used to illustrate Newton’s Second Law and measure acceleration. The

ideal Atwood machine is made with two different masses and with and

stringless pulley and frictionless pulley. This is important because it

illustrates the basic principles of acceleration.

2. Experimental Procedure

2.1.
2.2. Variables

2.2.1.

T= Ma and a= s= t= time g= gravity


Tension Mb= acceleration distance
accelerati
on of the
mass

2.2.2. Results

2.2.2.1. Experimental Data

Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6

Time t 2.24 s 2.26 s 2.32 s 2.24 s 2.33 s 2.33 s

Average Time t 2.29 s

Measured a .42 m/s^2

Theoretical a .47 m/s^2

% Difference 11.7%

Predicted Time Measured Time % Difference

2.55 s 2.28 s 11.2 %

Given Tx Measured Tx % difference Predicted Ts Measured %


Ts Difference

2.4 s 2.6 s 11.3% 2.9 s 3.1 s 11.6%

3. Calculations

3.1. Table 1
3.2. Table 2
3.2.1. Equations

a= g M b − M a/ M b + M a

s= ½ at^2

% difference= A-B/A+B/2x100

4. Analysis and Discussion

4.1. The percent differences are really close together with each other

4.2. The investigation was completed by calculating theoretical and experimental time

and using the equations above

4.2.1. Finding the average time of the measured and predicted time

4.2.2. Then to find the acceleration of the predicted time is using the equations=

½ at^2 which was .42 m/s^2

4.2.3. After that you can calculate the experimental acceleration which was .47

m/s^2 with the equation a= g M b − M a/ M b + M a

4.2.4. Calculating percent difference with this equation % difference=

A-B/A+B/2x100 would give 11.7 %

4.3. The same findings for the rest of the tables and it would give you very close

percent differences which was interesting.

5. Conclusion

5.1. All in all what I learned from the experiment was how this experiment has a major

effect on the real world. Also how drastically close the data points are from each

other. My question would be what would theoretically happen with a stringless

and frictionless pulley?

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