Motion (trolley)

• What are the steps to investigate the motion of a trolley on a ramp?

  1. Measure trolley mass and card length
  2. Adjust ramp height until trolley moves
  3. Mark ramp for consistent distance
  4. Attach trolley to hanging mass and release
  5. Record time and speed at light gates
  6. Calculate acceleration using speed and time
• What should you measure before starting the trolley experiment?

  The mass of the trolley and card length
• Why is it important to mark a line on the ramp?

  To ensure the trolley travels the same distance
• What does the light gate record when the trolley moves?

  The time and speed of the trolley
• How do you calculate the acceleration of the trolley?

  Acceleration = change in speed ÷ time
• What happens when you change the height of the ramp?

  It ensures the trolley just begins to move
• What is the relationship between the mass of the trolley and its acceleration?

  More mass leads to less acceleration
• What is the effect of increasing the accelerating force on the trolley's acceleration?

  Acceleration increases with more force
• What are the two main relationships regarding force and acceleration in this experiment?

  • Force and acceleration are proportional
  • Mass and acceleration are inversely proportional
• What equipment can be used to measure distance and time for larger intervals?

  A tape measure and a regular stopwatch
• Why are light gates preferred for measuring short time intervals?

  They eliminate errors from reaction times
• How can you measure speed using video recording?

  Calculate distance per frame and time
• What should you know about measuring speed of an object?

  • Multiple methods exist for measuring speed
  • Light gates are effective for short intervals
  • Tape measures and stopwatches are useful for longer distances