Mechanics
Lab report
Date: 6-6-2022
Group A4
Group members:
(i) Muhammad Zeeshan Ayyub Khan
(ii) Muhammad Asad Saeed
(iii) Mian Muhammad Bilal
Experiment no. 1: Kinematics
Abstract:
In this lab, the PAScar is used to investigate one-dimensional accelerated motion.
Theory:
The car will be allowed to roll to a stop. The distance D covered and the total elapsed
time T from launch to stop will be measured and recorded. The average velocity over this
interval is given by:
vav = D/T
If the acceleration of the
car is constant as it rolls to a
stop over the floor, then the
initial instantaneous velocity of
the car at the final moment of
launch is given by:
vav = (vf + vi) / 2
vav = (0 + vi) / 2
vi = 2vav = 2D / T
And the value of the acceleration would be given by:
a = (0 - vi) / T
a = -2D/T2
If the acceleration and vi are known, then the time t required to cover the distance d to
some intermediate point (i.e., short of the final stopping point!) can be calculated by applying the
quadratic formula to:
d = vit + ½ at2
Calculated values of t will be compared with directly measured values. The extent to
which the calculated values agree with the directly measured values is an indication of the
constancy of the acceleration of the car.
Procedure:
I. Once you have roughly determined the range of the cart, clearly mark a distance d that is
about halfway out from the start.
II. Using a stopwatch with a lap timer and metric tape, it is possible to determine t1, T and D
for each launch. Practice this step a few times before you start recording data.
III. Launch the car and record the data described in the previous step for three trials. To cock
the spring plunger, push the plunger in, and then push the plunger slightly upward to
allow one of the notches on the plunger bar to “catch” on the edge of the small metal bar
at the top of the hole. (Don’t count the trials in which the timer feels that a distraction
interfered with the measurement.)
IV. Using the equations described in the theory section and the data recorded, do the
calculations.
Data analysis:
d(cm)
Sr.# D(cm) T t1
(Half of the D)
1. ** Expression is 3.8 25.75 1.06
faulty **51.5
2. 51 3.5 25.75 1
3. 52 4.1 25.75 1.1
Average 51.5 3.8 25.75 1.05
Calculations:
Velocity with which the car moves i.e., experimental velocity is:
vi = 2(51.5) / 3.8
vi = 27.03 cms-1
Like this, experimental acceleration is:
a = -2(51.5) / (3.8)2
a = -7.09 cms-2
Time that the car takes to stop is:
d = vit + ½ at2
−v i ± √ v i2+2 ad
t=
a
−(27.03) ± √(27.03) +2(−7.09)(25.75)
2
t=
−7.09
t = 1.11 s
Percentage error:
t experimental −t theoratical
Percentage Error = × 100
t theoratical
t−t 1
Percentage error = × 100
t1
1.11−1.05
= ×100 = 5.71%
1.05
Conclusion:
Such a small error in the experimental value of time that the car takes to move shows the
consistency in the acceleration PAScar.
Questions:
I. Is there a systematic difference between the experimental and calculated values of t1? If
so, suggest possible factors that would account for this difference.
Answer:
Possible factors that cause error can be
Inappropriate environment
Inadequacy of the observer i.e., experimenter.
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Experiment no. 2: Coefficient of Friction
Abstract:
In this lab, the PAScar will be launched over the floor using the on-board spring
launcher. The car will “decelerate” over the floor under the combined action of rolling friction
and the average floor slope. To determine both the coefficient of rolling friction µr and , the
small angle at which the floor is inclined, two separate experiments must be done. (Recall that to
determine the value of two unknowns, you must have two equations.)
Theory:
The car will be launched several times in one direction, and then it will be launched several times
along the same course, but in the opposite direction. For
example, if the first few runs are toward the east, then
the next few runs will be toward the west. See Figure
2.1. In the direction, which is slightly downslope, the
acceleration of the car is given by
ad = g sin - g
And the acceleration in the direction that is
slightly upslope will be:
aup = - g sin - g
Numerical values for these accelerations can be determined by measuring both the distance d
that the car rolls before stopping and the corresponding time t. Given these values, the
acceleration can be determined from:
a = -2d / t2
After determining the values of aup and ad solve the first two equations simultaneously to get the
values of and
Procedure:
I. Place the car in its starting position and then launch it. To cock the spring plunger, push
the plunger in, and then push the plunger slightly upward to allow one of the notches on
the plunger bar to “catch” on the edge of the small metal bar at the top of the hole. Using
a stopwatch and metric tape, determine the ranged and the total time spent rolling t.
Record these in Table 2.1.
II. Repeat step 1six times for each direction and enter your results in Table 2.1.
III. Using EQN-3, compute the accelerations corresponding to your data and an average
acceleration for each of the two directions.
IV. Using the results of step 3, determine µr and θ by algebraically solving for the two
unknowns
Data analysis:
Upslope Downslope
Sr. # Distance(cm) Time Distance(cm) Time
1. 96.5 4.37 53.2 3.8
2. 96.5 4.65 52.5 3.7
3. 96.5 4.40 51.6 3.6
Average 96.5 4.47 52.4 3.6
Acceleration aup = -9.65 cms-2 ad = 7.65 cms-2
negative sign of the upslope acceleration shows that it is directed opposite to the
downslope acceleration.
Calculation of and :
By putting the values of aup and ad in the respective equations, we get.
7.65 = g sin - g
-9.65 = - g sin - g
By solving these equations simultaneously, we get
-2 = 2g
= 0.00102
is a dimensionless quantity, because it is just the property of the surface on which the body
moves.
By putting the values of and g in the equation of downslope acceleration we get
= sin-1 (0.0088)
= 0.504 ̊
Conclusion:
Value of coefficient of friction shows that the track on which the PAScar moves is smooth and
PAScar has less friction with the track.
Questions:
I. How large is the effect of floor slope compared to that of rolling
friction?
Answer: In current case, floor slope i.e., angle of inclination is very
small. As a result, rolling friction plays an important role in the
movement of PAScar.
______________________
