Mechanics
Lab report
Date:20-6-2022
Group A4
Group members:
i. Muhammad Zeeshan Ayyub Khan
ii. Muhammad Asad Saeed
iii. Mian Muhammad Bilal
Experiment no.1: Newton’s second law
Abstract:
In this experiment, we will verify Newton’s Second Law, F = ma
Theory:
According to Newton’s Second Law, F = ma, where F is the net force acting on the object of
mass m, and a is the resulting acceleration of the object.
For a cart of mass m1 on a horizontal track with a string attached over a pulley to a hanging
mass m2 (see Figure), the net force F on the entire system (cart and hanging mass) is the weight
of hanging mass, F = m2g, (assuming that friction is negligible).
According to Newton’s Second Law, this net force should be equal to Ma, where M is the total
mass that is being accelerated, which in this case is m1 + m2. You will check to see if
m2g = (m1 + m2) a as predicted by
theory.
To determine the acceleration, you
will release the cart from rest and
measure the time (t) for it to travel a
certain distance (d). Since
d = (1/2) at 2
the acceleration can be calculated
using a = 2d / t 2
Procedure:
I. Install the feet on the track and level it.
II. Install the end stop on the track near one end with the magnets
facing away from the track.
III. Measure the mass of the cart and record it
IV. Attach the pulley and end stop to the track as shown in Figure.
Place the cart on the track. Tie a string to the lower attachment
point of the cart. Tie a mass hanger on the other end of the string.
Run the string under the end stop and over the pulley. Adjust the
pulley so that the string runs parallel to the track. The string must
be just long enough so the cart reaches the end stop before the
mass hanger reaches the floor.
V. Pull the cart back until the mass hanger reaches the pulley. Record
this initial release position in Table 7.1. This will be the release
position for all the trials. Make a test run to determine how much
mass is required on the mass hanger so that the cart takes about 2
seconds to complete the run. Because of reaction time, too short of
a total time will cause too much error. However, if the cart moves
too slowly, friction causes too much error. Record the hanging mass
in Table
VI. Place the cart against the end stop on the pulley end of the track
and record the final position of the cart in Table
VII. Pull the cart back to the initial release position. Release it and time
how long it takes to reach the end stop. Record the time in Table
VIII. Measure the time at least 5 times with the same mass and record
these values in Table
Observations & Calculations:
Experimental acceleration:
Trials (a) (b) (c) (d)
m2 (g) 20 50 75 100
t (s) 2.4 1.6 1.31 1.11
Acceleration 25.34 57.03 85.07 118.49
Theoretical acceleration:
Initial point for the motion of PAScar on the track is 45cm while it strikes the barrier at 118cm.
So, it travels the distance of 118 – 45 = 73 cm which remains fixed for each trial.
M = mass of cart + mass of loads placed on the car + mass of hanger + mass of load on hanger
M = 250 + 500 + 5 + …. = 755 + …. g
Trials (a) (b) (c) (d)
m2 (g) 20 50 75 100
M (g) 775 805 830 855
Acceleration 25.29 60 88.5 114.61
Percentage error:
¿
Percentage error ¿ ¿ a exp−atheoratical ∨ a ×100 ¿
theoratical
¿
(a) Percentage error ¿ ¿ 25.34−25.29∨ 25.29 ×100=0.19 % ¿
¿
(b) Percentage error ¿ ¿ 57.03−60∨ 60 × 100=4.95 % ¿
¿
(c) Percentage error ¿ ¿ 85.07−88.5∨ 88.5 ×100=3.87 % ¿
¿
(d) Percentage error ¿ ¿ 118.49−114.61∨ 114.61 ×100=3.38 % ¿
Questions:
Q.1: Did the results of this experiment verify that F = ma?
Answer: Small error in the experimental and theoretical values of acceleration verifies the
Newton’s second law
Q.2: Why must the mass in F = ma include the hanging mass as well as the mass of the cart?
Answer: The mass in F = ma include the hanging mass as well as the mass of cart because both
cart and hanging mass are joined with a string and work as a system or body collectively.
Moreover, the acceleration of hanging mass and cart is also same. Therefore, F = ma include the
mass of both cart and hanging mass
Conclusion:
Small error in the experimental and theoretical values of acceleration shows that this
experiment is a useful verification of Newton’s second law (F = ma).
________________________
Experiment no.2: Simple Harmonic Oscillator
Abstract:
The purpose is to measure the period of oscillation of a spring and
mass system and compare it to the theoretical value.
Theory:
For a mass attached to a spring, the theoretical period of oscillation is given
by
T =2 π
√ m
k
where T is the time for one complete back-and-forth motion, m is the mass that is oscillating, and
k is the spring constant.
According to Hooke’s Law, the force, F, exerted by the spring is proportional to the distance, x,
by which the spring is compressed or stretched
F = kx
where k is the spring constant. Thus, the spring constant can be experimentally determined by
applying different forces to stretch the spring different distances. If force is plotted versus
distance, the slope of the resulting straight line is equal to k.
Procedure:
For the measurement of spring constant
I. Measure the mass of the
cart and record
II. Install the feet on the
track and level it.
III. Install the end stops
about 1m apart.
IV. Clamp the pulley at one
end of the track.
V. Set the cart on the track and attach a spring to each end. Attach the other ends of the
springs to the end stops (see Figure)
VI. Tie a string to the lower attachment point of the cart. Run the string under one end stop
and over the pulley as shown in Figure. Attach the mass hanger to the other end of the
string. Adjust the pulley so that the string runs parallel to the track.
VII. Let the mass hang freely and wait for the cart to come to rest. Record the mass of the
hanger and the resting equilibrium position of the cart in Table
VIII. Add mass to the hanger. Record the hanging mass and the new equilibrium position of
the cart in Table. Repeat this for a total of 3 different masses, being careful not to over-
stretch the springs.
For the measurement of experimental period
I. Displace the cart from equilibrium and let it go. Time 3 oscillations and record the time
in Table
II. Repeat this measurement at 3 times, using the same initial displacement.
III. Add a 500 g mass to the cart and repeat steps I and II
Observations & Calculations:
Spring constant and Theoretical Time period
I. Find the forces applied by the mass attached one by one
II. Note the reading of reference point i.e., from where the car starts to move & note the
positions of the car when different masses are attached with it.
III. Plot a graph between force and positions.
IV. Slope of this graph will give the value of spring constant k.
Reference point 104cm
Mass (g) Force (gcms-2) Position (cm)
25 24500 105
55 53900 106
75 73500 106.9
Graph:
Slope of graph = spring constant
y 2− y 1 73500−53900 Force vs Position
¿ = =21777 gs-2 80000
x 2−x 1 106.9−106 70000
60000
50000
Force
40000
30000
Theoretical Time period: 20000
10000
0
For PAScar 104.5 105 105.5 106 106.5 107 107.5
Position
T 1=2 π
√ m1
k √
=2 π
250
21777
=0.67 s
For PAScar loaded with mass
T 2=2 π
√ m2
k
=2 π
√ 750
21777
=1.16 s
Experimental Time Period:
T1 (for 3 oscillations) T2 (for 3 oscillations)
2.08 3.59
2.16 3.53
2.15 3.60
Average T for 1 oscillation 0.71 1.19
Percentage error:
¿
Percentage error ¿ ¿ T theoratical−T experimental ∨ T × 100 ¿
theoratical
For T1
¿ ¿ 0.67−0.71∨ ¿ ×100=5.9 % ¿
0.67
For T2
¿ ¿ 1.16−1.19∨ ¿ × 100=2.58 % ¿
1.16
Questions:
Q1: Does the period of oscillation increase or decrease as the mass is increases? Does a more
massive cart oscillate faster or slower?
Answer: Since the cart with the increase of mass moves slowly, therefore, the period for one
oscillation also increases
Q2: If the initial displacement from equilibrium (the amplitude) is changed, does the period of
oscillation change?
Answer: If the amplitude of the oscillation is increased, then it decreases the frequency of
oscillations (v = f λ). As a result, when frequency decreases it increases the Time period of
oscillation (T = 1/f).
Conclusion:
Mass spring system is the example of simple harmonic motion. In this experiment, the
experimental & theoretical time period of mass spring system having different masses is
compared. Results show that the time period of one oscillation increases as the mass of the
system is increased.
_____________________
