Motion With Constant Acceleration
BlackBoard Notes

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

Future Note (Fall 2024): Draw graph under table, all comments to the right of table and graph. Note that only 7 tracks were used in Fall 2023

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

• What's 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 so, ax = g sinθ Independent of Mass!

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

• Data collection: Start table at top of fresh sheet of paper! (Point out that <t> means the average time!)

  xi (cm)	xf (cm)	t (s)	<t> (s)	x = |xf – xi| (cm)
  15.0	110.0	— — — —	—	95.0
  110.0		0	0	0
  —		— — — —	—	—

  Note: Begin creating Excel graph after third data point is collected!! (need 3 points to create an Excel plot!)

  Then add each additional point as it is calculated!

  ======================= 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 (with 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!

Return to Setup

©	St. Lawrence University	Department of Physics

Revised: 12 Sep 23

Canton, NY 13617