accelaration

• step 1

  connect the trolley to a piece of string that goes over a pulley and is connected on the other side to a hook
• step 2

  weight of the hook and masses attached will provide the accelerating force
• step 3

  weight of the hook and masses accelerates the trolley and the masses so you are investigating the acceleration of the system
• step 4

  mark a starting line on the table the trolley is on so the trolley always travels the same distance to the light gate
• step 5

  place the trolley on the starting line holding the hook so the string is taught and release it
• step 6

  record the acceleration measured by the light gate as the trolley passes through it
• step 7

  repeat this twice more to get an average acceleration