Acceleration GCSE Physics Practical
Demonstrate how force, mass and acceleration are all related.
In this required practical, students investigate the effects of varying the mass and force on an accelerating object. The activities include measuring the time taken for a trolley of constant mass and a trolley of varied mass to travel over a fixed distance. Students then calculate the acceleration of the vehicle in both instances. The students must then reflect on whether their results are concurrent with Newton’s Second Law along with accuracy and any possible sources of error.
Equipment (per pair of participants)
• Safety glasses
• Toy car
• Metre ruler
• Bench pulley
• String
• Set of newton masses
• 2 x retort stand and clamp
• Blue tac
• Stopwatch
• Tape
• Spare 100g masses
Method
Activity 1: Recording the Effects of Force on Acceleration at a Constant Mass
- Gather Equipment
- Collect all necessary items: vehicle, bench pulley, string, Newton mass hanger, slotted masses, metre ruler, tape, and a stopwatch.
- Prepare the Bench
- Use a metre ruler to measure and mark set distances along the bench with tape for each checkpoint.
- Set Up the Pulley System
- Secure the bench pulley to the end of the desk where the marked distances are set up.
- Attach the String
- Tie one end of the string to the vehicle.
- Pass the string over the pulley and tie a loop at the other end for attaching the Newton mass hanger.
- Align the Vehicle
- Ensure the string is horizontal and in line with the vehicle.
- Pull the vehicle back to the starting line on the desk.
- Prepare the Stopwatch
- Set the stopwatch to lap mode.
- One student holds the vehicle at the starting line.
- Attach Mass and Start the Experiment
- Place slotted masses onto the Newton mass hanger and attach it to the loop on the end of the string over the pulley.
- Release the vehicle and start the stopwatch simultaneously.
- Press the lap button each time the vehicle passes a tape marker.
- End and Record the Trial
- Stop the stopwatch when the vehicle reaches the end of the bench.
- Record each lap time for the respective markers in a table.
- Repeat with Adjusted Masses
- Repeat Steps 7-8, removing one slotted mass each time.
- Place each removed mass on top of the vehicle after removing it from the hanger.
Activity 2: Recording the Effects of Mass on Acceleration with a Constant Force
- Set Up Equipment
- Follow the same setup as in Activity 1.
- Select a Mass for the Hanger
- Review results from Activity 1 to choose a consistent mass for the mass hanger that applies enough force to move the vehicle when loaded with the maximum mass.
- Prepare the Vehicle
- Place a 200g mass on top of the vehicle and hold it at the starting line.
- Start the Experiment
- Release the vehicle and simultaneously start the stopwatch.
- Press the lap button on the stopwatch each time the vehicle passes a tape marker.
- End and Record the Trial
- Stop both the vehicle and stopwatch when the vehicle reaches the end (100 cm).
- Record the lap times for each marker in a table.
- Repeat with Increased Mass
- Add an additional mass on top of the vehicle for each new trial, keeping the mass on the mass hanger constant.
- Repeat Steps 4-5 for each increase in mass.
Analysis and Conclusion
- Interpret Results
- Analyse whether results align with Newton’s Second Law.
- Identify Errors and Improvements
- Discuss any sources of error in measurements and suggest ways to improve accuracy.
To do this practical you will need
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