Melissa Leon Mr.

Goltermann Physics, A6 December 31, 2012

Accelerating Cart Lab

Abstract: In this experiment, we wanted to discover if a cart continuously accelerates as time goes on.. This experiment was made up of two trials when looking for the distance in our time vs distance graph, and two trials when looking for the velocity in our position vs time graph. When finding the velocity of the object, we used a motion detector that detects the movement of the cart as it rolls down the table. We did this because we wanted to see if as the cart rolls down the table, did its acceleration remain constant, and did the velocity increase. The results show that the cart accelerates at a constant change. Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether the cars speed constantly increases as time goes on. Hypothesis: As the cart goes down the ramp at a positive slope forward, the velocity will always be constant because we believe that after a second the ball will reach its terminal velocity and not increase its velocity. Apparatus: Lift the right side of table and insert a 1 inch binder under each leg. Its important for the motion detector to be correctly installed to the computer and that the program is correctly running. Try a couple practice trials to get familiarized with the program. Leave the cart on the top, right edge of the table. Then, when ready to begin have a group member let go of the cart, while another team member stops the car after a second.

Procedure: First we put two binders of the same size under two legs of the table (two on each leg). Then we connect the motion detector to the computer and put the sensor on the highest side of the table. After that we made sure that the laptop was working and did a practice trial. When we were sure it worked, we began our experiment. We put the cart starting at the highest side of the table, and let it roll down until it was completely off of the table. After doing multiple trials, we got the data for velocity and distance at a given time. We then graphed our results and got the equations of our graphs.

Data: Trial 1 Time (sec) 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 Distance (m) 0.1816528 0.196196 0.2148552 0.2351608 0.252448 0.2711072 0.2905896

0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1 1.05 1.1 1.15 1.2 1.25 1.3 1.35 1.4 1.45

0.311444 0.3331216 0.3578176 0.3816904 0.4080328 0.4330032 0.454132 0.477456 0.506268 0.5348056 0.5641664 0.5959968 0.6264552 0.6610296 0.7027384 0.7400568 0.7762776 0.8105776 0.8522864 0.895916 0.9244536 0.9538144

Velocity v.s Time trial 1 Time (s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Position (m/s) 0.6744 1.6969 2.8204 4.2433 5.9656 7.98

Trial 2 Time (sec) 0.05 0.1 0.15 Distance

0.36358 0.3852576 0.4069352

0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1 1.05 1.1 1.15 1.2 1.25 1.3 1.35

0.4291616 0.4511136 0.474712 0.4988592 0.524104 0.5496232 0.5751424 0.6014848 0.628376 0.6569136 0.6854512 0.7150864 0.744996 0.7776496 0.8089312 0.8413104 0.8736896 0.9071664 0.93982 0.9738456 1.0086944 1.0446408 1.082508 1.1192776

1.4 1.45

1.1640048 1.2326048

Velocity v.s Time Trial 2 Time (s) Velocity (m/s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 0.6744 1.6969 2.8204 4.2433 5.9656 7.98

Evaluation of Data: The object is accelerating at a constant rate of change because the points on position versus time graph at first make a linear line, however, start to create a steep line, which means that the speed of the cart is getting faster. This shows that the cart is constantly accelerating. Conclusion: We claimed that the cart was moving at a constant speed, however, the results show that the cart does accelerate and increases its speed as time increases. Based on our position v.s time graph, one can see that at first the line seems linear but its actually getting steeper and steeper showing that the cart is accelerating and going faster.

Edits + Reflections: The edits were created based on the comments given. I have attacked the document with the position v.s time graph for trial two and I tried to use precise vocabulary to clearly explain the results. The following parts were corrected: conclusion and purpose were added to the abstract, purpose was more specific, added an explanation to the hypothesis, elaborated on the evaluation of data, and the conclusion was re-written. Melissa Thanks for re-writing your lab report. Overall, the adjustments you have made make your thinking much more clear, and your explanations much stronger. There are still a few places for improvement, but, much improved. New grades are bolded below. L2 - Hypothesis - P - clear explanation L3 - Expt. Design - P - clear and easy to follow L6 - Model Data w Eqn - P - equations appropriately model data L7 - Trends - P - much better L9 - Conclusions - M - better, still some room for improvement L11 - Model support by data - M - good W1 - Sci. vocab - A - you have not defined the most important term, acceleration! W2 - Grammar - P - no grammar errors