Inclined Plane Measurements for Physics Experiment
Discussion Questions
1. What happens to the speed/velocity of the car from start to end? Explain using Newton’s laws of motion.
2. What is the reason for performing the experiment with multiple trials? Why not let the car run one time only and record the time?
3. Using the average speed/velocity calculated in Table 11, determine the average acceleration for the following:
a. Acceleration for Distance 1
b. Acceleration for Distance 2
c. Look at your answer in parts a and b. What conclusions can you make about the acceleration when the distance increases?
Discussion Questions Answers:
1. The speed/velocity of the car increases from start to end. This is due to Newton’s first law of motion, which states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion with a constant speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
2. The experiment is performed multiple times to obtain accurate and consistent results. The results may vary due to human error, equipment malfunction, or other factors. By conducting multiple trials and taking the average, any errors or inconsistencies can be reduced.
3. a. Acceleration for Distance 1: Acceleration = (80-0) / 0.50 = 160 m/s^2
b. Acceleration for Distance 2: Acceleration = (68.38-80) / 1.17 = -10.24 m/s^2 (negative because the car is slowing down)
c. As the distance increases, the acceleration decreases. This is because the force of gravity acting on the car is constant, but the car's mass remains constant. As a result, the acceleration decreases as the distance increases because the force is spread out over a greater distance.
In this experiment, a car moves down an inclined plane, and measurements are recorded in a table. The average speed/velocity of the car is measured by recording the time it takes to travel a certain distance. The acceleration of the car is also measured for different distances along the inclined plane.
Newton’s laws of motion: Newton’s first law states that an object in motion will remain in motion with a constant speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. This explains why the speed/velocity of the car increases from start to end as the force of gravity acts on it.
Performing multiple trials: Conducting multiple trials helps to minimize errors and inconsistencies in the results. By taking the average of the trials, any variations can be accounted for, ensuring a more accurate depiction of the car's speed and acceleration.
Acceleration calculations: The acceleration for Distance 1 and Distance 2 is determined by calculating the change in speed over time for each distance. As the distance increases, the acceleration decreases due to the spreading out of force over a greater distance.
Understanding these concepts is crucial in physics experiments to analyze motion, speed, and acceleration accurately. By following the scientific method and utilizing Newton’s laws, researchers can obtain reliable data for further analysis and conclusions.