PASCO ME-9430 Dynamics Cart with Mass User Manual

Page 10

012-04840E

Dynamics Cart

Procedure

1. Place the cart in its starting position and then launch it. To cock the spring plunger, push the

plunger in, and then push the plunger upward slightly to allow one of the notches on the
plunger bar to “catch” on the edge of the small metal bar at the top of the hole. Using a
stopwatch and metric tape, determine the range d and the total time spent rolling t. Record
these in Table 2.1.

2. Repeat step 1 six times for each direction and enter your results in Table 2.1.

3. Using EQN-3, compute the accelerations corresponding to your data and an average accel-

eration for each of the two directions.

4. Using the results of step 3, determine µ

and

by solving for the two unknowns algebra-

ically.

Average Acceleration = __________

d (cm)

t (sec)

a ( )

Second Direction

Trial

d (cm)

t (sec)

a ( )

First Direction

Trial

Table 2.1

Data Analysis

Coefficient of rolling friction = ________________ Floor Angle = ________________

Questions

1. Can you think of another way to determine the acceleration of the cart? If you have time try

it!

2. How large is the effect of floor slope compared to that of rolling friction?

Average Acceleration = __________