Motion With Constant Acceleration
BlackBoard Notes

======================= Photo - Click for a Larger Version =============================

Need new photo Fall 2025 - Added t columns, changed v_ox to v_o!

=========== First Board Section - Draw Fifth Section First!! ===================

• What is the acceleration of a cart "falling" down the track?
• Is acceleration independent of mass?
  • Note to Jeff: First draw sketch below, then write the two statements above

Track angle: sin θ = h / L The hypotenuse is the length of the track!

Note: Photogate (at x_f) Does Not Move!

======================= Second Board Section =============================

• Theory: For a falling object (same as last week!):

        x = x_o + v_ot + ¹/₂a_ot²      (here, x_o = 0, v_o = 0)

  ---

• What is the acceleration of an object falling down a frictionless incline?

  sin θ = ax / g {where g = 980 cm/s2} so expected accel., ax = g sinθ Independent of Mass!

  ======================= Third Board Section =============================

• Data collection: (Point out that <t> means the average time!)

  xi (cm)	xf (cm)	t1 (s)	t2 (s)	t3 (s)	<t> (s)	x (cm)
  15.0	110.0	—	—	—	—	95.0
  110.0	110.0	0	0	0	0	0
  —	110.0	—	—	—	—	—

  Note: Start Excel graph after third data point! {you need 3 points to create an Excel plot!}
  Then add each additional point as it is measured!

  ======================= Fourth Board Section - Draw Narrow! =============================

• Expected graph (same as last week!):
  • Note to Jeff: Be sure to label time axis as <t>!

• Excel analysis – same as last week (just one difference!)

============= Fifth Board Section - Draw This Table First!! ===================

• Table for Lab results.
  • Note: this assumes that 8 tracks are used per lab section. Check on track letter and heavy/light.
  • Don't include lab section; not enough room on board to include all tracks, all sections!
  • Don't include θ in this table; the track angles are set according to iPhone calibration, so will be measured as very different values!

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©	St. Lawrence University	Department of Physics

Revised: 05 Aug 25

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