APPLIED PHYSICS
LAB REPORT 6
DEPARTMENT OF MECHATRONIC ENGINEERING
Submitted To:
Sir Rizwan
Submitted By:
Muhammad Rahat (242065)
Date:
05-Dec-2024
LAB REPORT 6 (a)
Finding Instantaneous and Average Velocity
Apparatus:
- Air track
- Glider
Procedure:
i. Set up the air track on a flat, level surface.
ii. Securely attach the glider to the air track.
iii. Measure and note down the glider's mass.
iv. Divide the air track into equal segments and record its total length.
v. Release the glider from one end of the air track.
vi. Use a stopwatch or timer to measure the time taken by the glider to travel each segment.
vii. Record the distance covered and corresponding time for each segment.
viii. Repeat steps 5-7 for multiple trials to ensure consistent results.
ix. Calculate the instantaneous velocity of the glider at each segment.
x. Compute the average velocity over the entire length of the air track.
xi. Plot graphs for distance vs. time and velocity vs. time.
xii. Analyze the graphs to derive instantaneous and average velocity values.
xiii. Compare the experimental values with theoretical predictions.
xiv. Conclude the results, identifying potential sources of error.
Observations:
Glider length: 10 cm
Sr. No. Time (s) Instantaneous Time (s) Distance Average
Velocity (cm) Velocity
(cm/s) (cm/s)
1 0.23 43.4 1.56 80 51.3
2 0.20 50 1.16 60 50.9
3 0.15 66.6 0.75 40 50.3
Conclusion:
By adjusting the photogate timer, it is possible to measure the initial and final velocities of an
object at any instant, as well as its average velocity. The air track facilitates these measurements
by maintaining consistent conditions, ensuring accurate speed observations.
LAB REPORT 6 (b)
Verifying Newton's Second Law
Apparatus:
- Air track
- Glider
Procedure:
- Attach a thread to the glider and a mass to the thread via a pulley at the track's end.
- Demonstrate that acceleration (a) is directly proportional to force (F).
- Vary the mass attached to the thread and measure the initial and final velocities using the
photogate timer in 'gate mode.'
- Measure the time taken by the glider and calculate acceleration.
- Repeat the procedure three times with different thread-side masses.
- Add mass to the glider while keeping the force constant, and perform three trials.
Observations:
Sr. No. Force (N) Mass (g) Vi (cm/s) Vf (cm/s) Acceleration
(cm/s²)
1 200 200 56.5 110.9 64.61
2 300 200 67.7 139.1 104.0
3 400 200 71.9 155.8 132.7
4 400 300 61.76 131.6 92.83
5 400 400 41.15 75.75 29.98
6 400 500 17.39 34.72 5.77
Conclusion:
The results confirm that increasing the force applied to the glider increases its acceleration, while
adding mass to the glider reduces its acceleration. These findings validate Newton's Second Law,
which states that acceleration is directly proportional to force and inversely proportional to mass.
