edited Phys1 Lab2
.pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
New York University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
UA11
Subject
Mechanical_engineering
Date
May 14, 2024
Type
Pages
8
Uploaded by superduperhwhelper on coursehero.com
Lab #2:
Motion II
PHYS-UA11
Objective and Description
In this lab, we are able to analyze the relationship between position (
x
), velocity (
v
), acceleration
(
a
) and time (
t
) in a physical sense. This is accomplished through the aid of the Capstone database, which
this lab allows us to become even more familiar with.
As in the previous motion lab, the black motion sensor that uses sound waves to detect the
distance of an object was used. By attaching an index card to two different gliders, the motion sensor was
able to track the motion of the index card as the glider traveled down an inclined air track as a function of
time. Both the incline,
𝜽
, and the size of the glider were manipulated in the experiment.
Theory
There are several theories that are applied in the functioning and understanding of the experiment.
For instance, we could make assumptions about what our graph should look like based on the knowledge
of the mathematical relationship of the values. It is known that velocity is the derivative of position and
acceleration is the derivative of velocity and therefore the second derivative of position. If acceleration is
constant the following equations can be obtained from the integrations:
x=x
0
+ v
0
t + ½at
2
v=v
0
+ at
Furthermore, if friction is neglected, we are able to use Newton’s second law to predict that the
acceleration of the glider is
g
•sin
𝜽
. This comes from the fact that
𝚺
F
X
=ma
x
. Since there is no friction, the
x component of gravity is the only force acting upon the glider. Since mg
x
=mg•sin
𝜽
:
Procedure
My partner and I followed the procedure in the write-up fairly closely, since it was mostly straight
forward. However, a few minor differences did arise as the experiment was being conducted. For one,
when initially leveling the track, we noticed that it was nearly impossible to get the glider at a state of not
moving at all. Rather, we leveled it to where the glider was moving back and forth very slightly, which
my instructor clarified is normal. Additionally, when switching from y
1
to y
2
, the initial graphs produced
did not demonstrate a constant acceleration. My partner and I needed to realign the sensor with the track
in order to fix this source of error. We also needed to make sure the index card was stable secure or else
it’s movement would cause sharp changes in the acceleration curve. Finally, we found that smoothing out
the acceleration curve anywhere from 7-11 units was a sufficient amount to get an accurate read without
oversmoothing.
Data and Calculations
Part I
Key
Symbol
Unit
Value
y
1
=thickness of thinner block
m
0.0191m
y
2
=thickness of thicker block
m
0.0371m
r=length of track
m
1.2857m
𝜽
1
=angle formed by r and y
1
rad
see calculation below
𝜽
2
=angle formed by r and y
2
rad
see calculation below
m
1
=smaller, yellow glider
m
2
=larger, red glider
a=acceleration (m/s
2
), m=slope of velocity graph, n=power function is raised to
Table 1.1
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help