physics - force and acceleration

Question 1

What are the steps of the practical to measure the effect of a force on acceleration at constant mass?

Answer 1

• mark out 20cm intervals on the table
• attach a string to the trolley, and pass it over a pulley at the end of the table
• attach a fixed mass to the string and release so that the trolley accelerates
• time how long it takes to reach each interval
• repeat with different masses attached

Question 2

how to mark out the 20cm intervals on the desk?

Answer 2

use a piece of tape every 20cm from the starting point of the trolley and measure it using a ruler

Question 3

what piece of equipment is used to measure the time?

Answer 3

a stopwatch with the ability to record multiple times (laps) so you can record when it passes each interval

Question 4

how would you expect the acceleration of the trolley to change as you add more weights to the string?

Answer 4

the more weights added, the greater the force that is accelerating the trolley, so a greater acceleration

Question 5

what safety precaution should be taken when releasing the masses?

Answer 5

• do not stand with your feet underneath where they are hanging
• a padded bucket could be used to catch them when they drop to the floor

Question 6

Which law describes the relationship between force and acceleration?

Answer 6

Newton’s second law
Force = Mass x Acceleration

Question 7

what are the steps for the practical that measures the effect of mass on acceleration at constant force?

Answer 7

• mark out 20cm intervals on the table
• attach a string to the trolley, and pass it over a pulley at the end of the table
• attach a fixed mass to the string and release so that the trolley accelerates
• time how long it takes to reach each interval
• repeat with different masses attached to the trolley

Question 8

How can you choose an approximate quantity of masses to use as the fixed mass for the experiment?

Answer 8

carry out a preliminary experiment to find what weight is needed to make the trolley accelerate from rest

Question 9

how would you expect the acceleration of the trolley to change when you add masses onto the trolley?

Answer 9

the acceleration will decrease as masses are added onto the trolley because:
a = F/m