Core Practical Forces 1

• Apparatus


  resolution

  meter ruler = 1mm

  stopwatch = 0.01s

  
• Aim 


  investigate the effect of varying force on the acceleration of an object of constant mass
• Variables


  independent - force, F

  dependent - acceleration
• method

  1. Use the metre ruler to measure out intervals on the bench
  2. Attach the bench pulley to the end of the bench
  3. Tie some string to the toy car or trolley
  4. Pass the string over the pulley and attach the mass hanger to the other end of the string
  5. Make sure the string is horizontal and is in line with the toy car or trolley
• method 2

  1. Hold the toy car or trolley at the start point
  2. Attach the full set of weights (total = 1.0 N) to the end of the string
  3. Release the toy car or trolley at the same time as you or a partner starts the stopwatch. Press the stopwatch (in lap mode) at each measured interval on the bench and for the final time at 1.0 m
  4. Record the results in the table and repeat step 8 to calculate an average time for each interval
  5. Repeat steps 6-9 for decreasing weights on the weight hanger,
• Result analysis

  use results to determine average spees between intervals

  Use the distance between each interval (0.2 m) and the average time it takes for the toy car or trolley to travel that distance to calculate the average speed per interval

  
• result analysis 2

  • Compare the average speed between the first and last intervals for different weights
  • Use the equation below to calculate the acceleration between the first and the last intervals: