Investigating Motion

• Investigating how Mass and Force Affect Acceleration

  1. Set up apparatus

  2. Connect trolley to string over pulley

  3. Weight of hook and masses provides accelerating force

  4. Mark starting line

  5. Release trolley and record acceleration
• Varying Mass


  1. Add masses to trolley

  2. Don't add masses to hook

  3. Record average acceleration for each mass
• Varying Force


  1. Start with all masses on trolley

  2. Transfer masses to hook one at a time

  3. Record average acceleration for each force
• Adding masses to trolley

  Increases mass of system, force stays same, acceleration decreases
• Transferring masses to hook

  Increases accelerating force, mass stays same, acceleration increases
• The friction between the trolley and the bench might affect acceleration measurements
• An air track can be used to reduce friction