Forces Lab Report PDF

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Forces Lab...

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Physics Lab – Section 1 Wednesday 9:00-10:50 9/27/17 Force Lab Report Samuel King, Robert Bevis, Akasha Westbrook

Introduction: A force is a push or pull upon an object that causes it to interact with another object. There are multiple types of forces, but altogether, they must add up to 0 in order to keep an object at rest. In this experiment, we examined the forces that were present on an object at rest, as well as an object in motion. This experiment helped us determine exactly what factors influenced the motion or rest of an object.

Procedure: Materials        

Cart Computer Force probe Lab Quest Mini Motion Sensor Scale String Track Weights

Cart Still 1. Place track on surface with tilt 2. Measure the slope of the track and record in worksheet 3. Connect the force probe to LabQuest Mini to computer and open software (put duration on 30 seconds. 4. Calibrate the force probe by clicking known calibrate and hooking the known weight which is 9.8 to the probe and set it to 9.8. Due same for 0 5. Set probe on track and hook the string and cart to the probe

6. Record data from Logger Pro software and place at least 30 points into the worksheet. 7. Get the mass of the cart by placing the cart on the scale and record it in the worksheet. 8. Use equations to find the theoretical calculations 9. Compare theoretical force to experimental force by using the percent error equation.

Cart Rolling 1. Use the same slope for the track as you used for the still cart experiment. 2. Change the force probe equipment to the motion sensor equipment and place it on top of the track. 3. Push car down the track. Do not let the cart crash onto the floor. 4. Record data from Logger Pro software and place at least 30 points into the worksheet. 5. Copy all of your data to your worksheet into the correct tab and columns. Use your selected data to make the plots of the position and velocity as a function of time. 6. Make a graph and place the linear equation and R^2 values on the graph and place the graph in the graph tab in the worksheet. Use the linear equation to find the acceleration of the cart. 7. Each student in the group has to make their own force diagram using newton’s law. Also each student will have to show how he or she found the theoretical

calculation of the total force of the cart on each diagram. Should have a diagram for rolling cart and still cart. 8. Would recommend drawing the diagrams out on a piece of paper and take a picture and import it into the right tab. Each student should sign his or her diagram. 9. Compare the theoretical force and measured force by calculating the percent error. There were no alterations in our procedure.

Analysis:

This data was captured with the LabQuest and logged on Logger Pro and is a selected 30 points of time, position, and velocity of the cart as it was pushed down the track. Diagrams below explain the process in full detail.

Conclusion: Since we were testing the forces applied on the cart, we analyzed the force and movement of the cart under the circumstance of complete equilibrium of both the x and y axis, when tied to the string, as well as when one of the equilibrium forces was removed. This allowed us to experience the forces acting on the cart naturally and

witness the gravitational acceleration on the cart along the x-axis of the slope of the slide. The string tied to the force probe was able to give us the force necessary to counteract the other forces and bring the cart into equilibrium and give us a sum of all forces for the x and y-axis of 0. This experiment showed that the cart accelerated due to the gravitational pull on it. Also, due to the relative simplicity of the experiment and how comfortable we were with the equations and procedures involved, I believe we got reliable results. However, possible sources of error could have been inconstancy in pushing the cart, the slide moving a little, or accidentally copying down incorrect information. This could all be guaranteed by using a mechanical release, securing the slide, and checking our work a couple of times....