Physics Lab Report
ABSTRACT:
The lab of one dimensional motion is a series of experiments that deal with different types of motion in a single direction. In the first experiment, one dimensional motion of a small cart on an air track is measured in a one photogate system. The acceleration was calculated by the infrared light emitting electrode of the photogate sensing the slacks on the picket fence. The calculation for gravity yielded 9.63 m/s^2, which is consistent
with the accepted value of 9.8m/s^2. In the second experiment, acceleration of a cart traveling down a slight incline was measured with a two photogate method. Gravity was calculated and yielded a value of 8.7429, a bit lower than the accepted value of 9.8 m/s^2. The third experiment was the measurement of acceleration due to a horizontal force, a pulley system with a weight attached. The acceleration was measured with a single photogate. Gravity was calculated to be 9.209m/s^2 which is slightly lower that the accepted value of 9.8m/s^2. In the final experiment, a sonic range finder was used to calculate the properties of walking motion including distance, time, velocity, and acceleration. The starting acceleration was calculated to be .3778m/s^2 and the negative acceleration was calculated to be -.4844m/s^2.
INTODUCTION TO THEORY
The one dimensional motion measurements are going to be done on an air track. The air track is a triangularly shaped track studded with small holes which emit air. A corresponding triangularly shaped cart is placed on top of the track and will move on a cushion of air to take away friction. Hence, the study of acceleration can be done without the inaccuracies that friction brings.
Figure 1.1 The Air Track
A photogate is a u shape measuring device that is placed above the track. An infrared light emitting diode (source) and a photodiode (sensor) are placed on each side of the U-shaped frame. The photogate is considered...
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