PASCO ME-9429B 1.2 m Classic Dynamics System - Manual (Page 26)

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1 . 2 m C l a s s i c D y n a m i c s S y s t e m E x p e r i m e n t 8 : A c c e l e r a t i o n D o w n a n I n c l i n e
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Experiment 8: Acceleration Down an
Incline
Purpose
In this experiment, you will investigate how the acceleration of a cart rolling down an
inclined track depends on the angle of incline. From you data, you will calculate the
acceleration of an object in free-fall.
Theory
A cart of mass m on an incline will roll down the incline as it is pulled by gravity. The
force of gravity (mg) is straight down as shown in Figure 8.1. The component of that
is parallel to the inclined surface is mg sin
.
To determine the acceleration, you will release the cart from rest and measure the time
(t) for it to travel a certain distance (d). Since d = (1/2)at
2
, the acceleration can be cal-
culated using .
A plot of a versus sin
 will be a straight line with a slope equal to the acceleration of
an object in free-fall, g.
Figure 8.2
Procedure
1. Set up the track as shown in Figure 8.2 with a pivot clamp and support stand. Ele-
vate the end of the track by about 10 cm.
2. Set the cart on the track against the end stop and record this final position in
Table 8.1. (Use the non-magnetic end of the cart so it touches the end stop.)
3. Pull the cart up to the top of the track and record the initial position where the
cart will be released from rest.
4. Release the cart from rest and use the stopwatch to time how long it takes the cart
to reach the end stop. The person who releases the cart should also operate the
Required Equipment from Dynamics System
Track with End Stop
Cart
Pivot Clamp
Other Required Equipment Suggested Model Number
Base and support rod ME-9355
Stopwatch ME-1234
Graph paper
mg sin
q
mg
q
Figure 8.1
a 2d t
2 
=
q