Investigating the effect of force and mass on acceleration

• Force = mass × acceleration
• How to reduce effects of friction

  Use a ramp at a shallow angle.
• Equipment

  • trolley
  • A smooth ramp(with blocks)
  • A pulley and a mass hanger to provide a force.
  • A long string to attach the pulley to the trolley.
  • 10 slotted masses of known mass (e.g. 100 g) to add to the trolley.
  • Blu-tac
  • A pair of light gates and a data logger to record the acceleration of the trolley.
  • A piece of card to attach to the trolley so it triggers the light gates.