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Physics Lab# 2-Acceleration Due To Gravity

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Renée Peters
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48 views7 pages

Physics Lab# 2-Acceleration Due To Gravity

Uploaded by

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

Group Members: 1. David Wehmer


2. Jalen Bowers
3. Murtadha Albaidhani

Title: Acceleration Due to Gravity

Date: 07/25/2024

Lab Report #2 Page 1 of 7


Renée Peters
Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Procedure ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
Data/Calculations............................................................................................................................................... 4
Conclusions............................................................................................................................................................ 6
References .............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Lab Report #2 Page 2 of 7


Renée Peters
Introduction

The objective of this lab is to measure the acceleration of a cart as it moves down an
inclined plane and to compare this measured value with the prediction. When a cart
descends an incline, it is influenced by gravity. The gravitational force acts vertically
downward, but only the component of this force parallel to the inclined surface contributes
to the cart's acceleration. This component is described by the equation a=g×sin(θ), where θ
is the angle of the incline. The goal of this experiment is to confirm this theoretical
relationship by using a motion sensor to measure the acceleration and comparing it with
the calculated value.

Procedure
• Set up the track using the Large Rod Base and the 45 cm Rod. The lower end of the track
should rest directly on the table, ensuring that the normal track feet are not used. Secure
the track at various angles using the Pivot Clamp.

• Attach the Motion Sensor to the track and connect it to the interface box (850). Ensure
the range switch on the sensor is set to the "Cart" icon.

• Position the cart so that the plunger hits the end stop at the bottom of the incline.

• Measure the length of the track (125 cm) and adjust the height to 20 cm. Record the
height measured from the underside of the track.

• Calculate the angle θ of the track using the formula θ= sin−1 (h/L) where h is the height
and L is the length of the track.

• Using the accepted value for the acceleration due to gravity (9.80 m/s2), calculate the
predicted acceleration a=g×sin(θ).

• Start recording data as the cart is released. Data will be shown in the graph, and
unwanted runs can be deleted using the control bar.

Lab Report #2 Page 3 of 7


Renée Peters
Data/Calculations:
Calculations from PASCO Lab:
• Length of the track L = 125 cm
• Height of the track h = 20 cm
• Angle of the track θ= 0.161°
𝟐𝟎
- Sin-1 (𝟏𝟐𝟓) = 0.161 radians
• Predicted acceleration a=g×sin(θ) = 1.57 m/s2
- Sin (0.161)(9.80) = 1.57 radians

measured−accepted 1.42−1.57
% error = x 100 = x 100 = -9.5%
accepted 1.57

Lab Report #2 Page 4 of 7


Renée Peters
Doubling the mass of the cart gave us 1.43 m/s2 and increasing the height of the cart with
the mass gave us 1.90 m/s2.

1.57 m/s2 × 2 = 3.14 m/s2


1.43 m/s2 – 1.42 m/s2= 0.01 m/s2
1.90 m/s2 – 1.43 m/s2 = 0.47 m/s2

Our final acceleration increased by 0.47 m/s2

Calculations in terms of gravity:


𝐛 𝟐𝟎
tan-1 ( 𝐚 ) = tan-1 ( 𝟏𝟐𝟑 )=0.16 radians

𝐚 𝟏.𝟒𝟐
gexp = 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝛉 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝟎.𝟏𝟔) = 8.91 radians

g 𝑒𝑥𝑝−g 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦 8.91−9.80


% error = x 100 = 9.80 m/s2 x 100 = -9.1%
g 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦

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Renée Peters
Conclusion

This experiment successfully demonstrated the concepts of acceleration and its


dependence on variables such as incline angle and mass. The measured acceleration closely
matched the theoretical value, with a minor percent error of -9.5%. This discrepancy could
be attributed to experimental imperfections such as friction and slight misalignment of the
track. The experiment also showed that doubling the mass had a negligible effect on the
acceleration, while increasing the height of the track led to a noticeable increase in
acceleration. These findings align with the theoretical principles of physics, providing a
practical understanding of motion under gravity.

Lab Report #2 Page 6 of 7


Renée Peters
References
[1] The Virtual Lab Handout Given by The Spectacularly Handsome Professor

[2] Serway, R. A., Vuille, C., & Hughes, J. (2018). College Physics (12th ed.). Cengage
Learning.

Lab Report #2 Page 7 of 7


Renée Peters

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