Unbalanced Forces Lab: nET fORCE VS. aCCELERATION
By: Andy, Edward, Aditya K.
October 21, 2021
Research Question: How does the ACCELERATION of an object depend on the NET FORCE acting on it?
Variables
Independent - Net Force (N)
Dependent - Acceleration (m/s^2)
Controls - Mass of the system, the track, the release of the cart
How did we control the variables?
We controlled the variables by ensuring that mass of the system is always constant. The mass of the hanger and the cart were recorded so that we could see that the mass stayed the same. We didn't add new mass into the system, instead we simply moved weights from the cart onto the hanger. On top of that, we used the same track to make sure that the surface is the same and the friction is the same. We also have to make sure that we did not push the cart upon the release of the cart. A push would alter the acceleration and initial velocity of the cart.
Data Collection
We placed the motion detector behind the track and aligned it perfectly with the path of the cart. Since we linked the motion detector to our computer and LoggerPro, we are able to see the velocity of the cart every 0.05 seconds. By using a line of best fit on an interval that represented the proper velocity of the cart, we could determine the acceleration of the cart. The slope of the velocity graph is the acceleration of the cart. Finally, we kept track of the mass of the cart and the hanger.
Procedure
1. Place the motion detector behind the track
2. Place 1130g on the cart and 50g on the hanger
3. Release the cart at the initial position and record the velocity
4. Move the weight from the cart to the hanger so that the weight of the hanger is 50g, 60g, 80g, 110g, 130g, and 180g
5. Record the velocity of the cart from the different weights
Independent - Net Force (N)
Dependent - Acceleration (m/s^2)
Controls - Mass of the system, the track, the release of the cart
How did we control the variables?
We controlled the variables by ensuring that mass of the system is always constant. The mass of the hanger and the cart were recorded so that we could see that the mass stayed the same. We didn't add new mass into the system, instead we simply moved weights from the cart onto the hanger. On top of that, we used the same track to make sure that the surface is the same and the friction is the same. We also have to make sure that we did not push the cart upon the release of the cart. A push would alter the acceleration and initial velocity of the cart.
Data Collection
We placed the motion detector behind the track and aligned it perfectly with the path of the cart. Since we linked the motion detector to our computer and LoggerPro, we are able to see the velocity of the cart every 0.05 seconds. By using a line of best fit on an interval that represented the proper velocity of the cart, we could determine the acceleration of the cart. The slope of the velocity graph is the acceleration of the cart. Finally, we kept track of the mass of the cart and the hanger.
Procedure
1. Place the motion detector behind the track
2. Place 1130g on the cart and 50g on the hanger
3. Release the cart at the initial position and record the velocity
4. Move the weight from the cart to the hanger so that the weight of the hanger is 50g, 60g, 80g, 110g, 130g, and 180g
5. Record the velocity of the cart from the different weights
Recorded Raw Data
The raw data includes the mass of the hanger and the mass on the cart. While the total mass of the cart and the mass of the cart stays the same, the mass of the hanger and the mass on the cart is changed. The acceleration is recorded at the different masses using the motion sensor.
The raw data includes the mass of the hanger and the mass on the cart. While the total mass of the cart and the mass of the cart stays the same, the mass of the hanger and the mass on the cart is changed. The acceleration is recorded at the different masses using the motion sensor.
Processed Raw Data
The total mass of the system is calculated by adding the mass of the cart with the mass on the cart and the mass of the hanger. The Net Force of the hanger is 9.8 (gravitational constant) times mass of hanger (kg). Using Excel, I wrote a formula while allows me to automatically multiply the mass of the hanger by the gravitation force and find the total mass by adding the mass of the cart, mass on the cart, and the hanger together.
The total mass of the system is calculated by adding the mass of the cart with the mass on the cart and the mass of the hanger. The Net Force of the hanger is 9.8 (gravitational constant) times mass of hanger (kg). Using Excel, I wrote a formula while allows me to automatically multiply the mass of the hanger by the gravitation force and find the total mass by adding the mass of the cart, mass on the cart, and the hanger together.
Presentation of Processed Data
The graph shows the relationship between net force (x-axis) and acceleration (y-axis). This line of best fit demonstrates the acceleration of the cart as the net force increases is a = 0.5742ΣF - 0.001089. The graph shows a linear relationship, with the slope showing that when the ΣF increases by one, the acceleration increases by 1 m/s^2. When ΣF is equal to 0, the acceleration is 0.001089 m/s^2, which a number close to 0. Therefore we can interpret that there is no acceleration when the ΣF is 0.
The graph shows the relationship between net force (x-axis) and acceleration (y-axis). This line of best fit demonstrates the acceleration of the cart as the net force increases is a = 0.5742ΣF - 0.001089. The graph shows a linear relationship, with the slope showing that when the ΣF increases by one, the acceleration increases by 1 m/s^2. When ΣF is equal to 0, the acceleration is 0.001089 m/s^2, which a number close to 0. Therefore we can interpret that there is no acceleration when the ΣF is 0.
Conclusions
The goal of the experiment was to determine how the Net Force affects Acceleration. Through this we determined that when the ΣF is 0, the forces are balanced and the Acceleration is 0. If the Acceleration is 0 when the ΣF is 0, therefore an object travels at a constant velocity when the forces are balanced. On top of that, since the graph showed a linear relationship between ΣF and Acceleration, we can conclude that Acceleration is proportional to ΣF. As ΣF increases, Acceleration also increases. This helps us understand Newton's 2nd Law of Acceleration, Net Force, & Mass, which states that Acceleration is proportional to the Net (total) Force acting on a system.
The goal of the experiment was to determine how the Net Force affects Acceleration. Through this we determined that when the ΣF is 0, the forces are balanced and the Acceleration is 0. If the Acceleration is 0 when the ΣF is 0, therefore an object travels at a constant velocity when the forces are balanced. On top of that, since the graph showed a linear relationship between ΣF and Acceleration, we can conclude that Acceleration is proportional to ΣF. As ΣF increases, Acceleration also increases. This helps us understand Newton's 2nd Law of Acceleration, Net Force, & Mass, which states that Acceleration is proportional to the Net (total) Force acting on a system.
Evaluating Processes
One limitation to our experiment could be that since logger pro records every velocity at 0.05 seconds, its not as precise as can be. We also could have done better to ensure that the cart was released from the same initial position every time. Different initial positions may affect how fast the hanger pulls on the cart. Ultimately, there may be uncertainty in our data because we did not use repeated trials to obtain more accurate results.
One limitation to our experiment could be that since logger pro records every velocity at 0.05 seconds, its not as precise as can be. We also could have done better to ensure that the cart was released from the same initial position every time. Different initial positions may affect how fast the hanger pulls on the cart. Ultimately, there may be uncertainty in our data because we did not use repeated trials to obtain more accurate results.
Improvements
To improve this experiment, I could have used repeated trials to gain more accurate results. On top of that, I would also use a motion sensor that could pick up velocities at shorter or faster intervals. If we wanted to increase our range of data for the acceleration, we could have increased the weight of the hanger, which would also increase the constant net force.
To improve this experiment, I could have used repeated trials to gain more accurate results. On top of that, I would also use a motion sensor that could pick up velocities at shorter or faster intervals. If we wanted to increase our range of data for the acceleration, we could have increased the weight of the hanger, which would also increase the constant net force.