Plan, choose equipment or resources for and perform a first-hand investigation to gather data and use available evidence

to show the relationship between force, mass and acceleration using suitable apparatus

Newtons Second Law of Motion

Aim: To examine the relationship between force, mass and acceleration Method: 1. The mass of the trolley was recorded. 2. Six fifty gram weights were strapped on the trolley by sticky tape. 3. A rope was attached to the front of the trolley. 4. The rope was attached to a stable pulley. 5. Two fifty gram weights were tied to the rope. 6. The force of the weights attached to the rope was calculated. 7. A power pack was connected to a ticker timer. 8. A ticker timer tape was attached on the ticker timer. 9. The ticker timer tape was attached to back of the trolley by sticky tape. 10. The pulley was released and the trolley was accelerated. 11. The ticker timer tape was removed. 12. The acceleration of trolley was calculated and recorded. 13. Two fifty gram weights from the trolley was removed and placed on the pulley rope. 14. The trolley was accelerated; the acceleration of the trolley was calculated and recorded. 15. Two fifty gram weights from the trolley was removed and placed on the pulley rope. 16. The trolley was accelerated; the acceleration of the trolley was calculated and recorded. 17. A graph of force vs. acceleration was plotted.

Result: Mass of Trolley: 0.74 kg Mass of All Weights: 0.5 kg Total Mass: 1.24 kg Force (N) 0.98 1.96 2.94 3.92 4.90 Sample Calculations:

Acceleration (m/s^2) 0.88 1.25 1.50 2.00 3.62

Acceleration Calculation: Interval Time/Interval (s) 1 2 3 4 5 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02

Total Time (s) 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10

Distance (mm)

Average Velocity (mm/s)

Discussion: Analysis of Results: The graph of Force vs. Acceleration is a straight line demonstrating that the gradient of the line is constant. The gradient of line is rise/run, which is force/acceleration, which is mass, as F=ma. The theoretical results of the experiment are that the gradient of the line equals to the total mass. However, the experimental results does not represent this, therefore, there is a lack of accuracy within the experiment. Error & Improvements: Accuracy: Error: Different sections of the ticker time tape was calculated for acceleration thus creating inaccuracy in the calculation for acceleration. Improvement: The first five intervals of the ticker timer tape shall be used for calculating acceleration Error: The distance between the intervals in the acceleration calculation is too small to measure accurately Improvement: The ticker timer tape can be scanned and measured with computer technology to measure the distance with more accuracy Error: The pulley is released at different forces by human hand therefore not its not consistent acceleration Improvement: A mechanical releaser can be used for the experiment to ensure consistence Error: The trolley is not travelling at straight line throughout the acceleration therefore some acceleration may be lost along the path Improvement: Blocks can force a path for the trolley to travel to ensure consistent acceleration Reliability: The experiment is not reliable as the experiments is not repeated nor compared with other groups who used the same controls and interdependent variables. To make this experiment reliable, three trials of acceleration for each force is measured, recorded and the average of the trials be used within the results. The results can also be compared with other groups which used the same controls and interdependent variables to improve reliability. Validity: The experiment is valid as it has a clear interdependent variable, force and a clear dependent variable, acceleration. The other elements of the experiment are controlled. The experiment is done in the same environment throughout therefore the experiment is valid. The experiment is also valid as it demonstrates the relationship between force, mass and acceleration. The experiment has constant mass with changes in mass and acceleration. The graph of force vs. acceleration with the gradient of mass demonstrates the relationship between force, mass and acceleration. Risk Assessment: Risk: The wires connecting the power pack to the ticker timer is frayed which has a possibility in causing electrocution Prevention: Avoid touching the wires and cover the frayed part Risk: The trolley may crash into people when accelerated by the pulley Prevention: Block the acceleration before it can crash into anything Conclusion: The relationship between force, mass and acceleration is F=ma