PASCO ME-6828 Dynamics Cart Magnetic Damping - Manual (Page 12)

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D y n a m i c s C a r t M a g n e t i c D a m p i n g E x p e r i m e n t 3 : P r e d i c t i n g T e r m i n a l Ve l o c i t y
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Part III: Measuring Terminal Velocity
Set-up
1. Take the cart off the track and set it aside. (Be careful not to let the Magnetic
Damping Accessory shift on the cart.)
2. Use a table clamp, rod and pivot clamp to raise the left end of the track (with the
motion sensor attached). Adjust the incline to 3.0°.
Experiment set-up for Terminal Velocity, Part III
Data Collection
1. Place the cart back on the track and hold it about 15 cm from the motion sensor
with the magnets away from the sensor.
Note: Before releasing the cart, be prepared to stop it so that the Magnetic Damping Accessory is
not knocked out of position.
2. Start data recording.
3. Release the cart, stop it after it has rolled about 1 m.
4. Stop data recording.
Analysis
From your recorded data, determine the terminal velocity.
At
θ = 3.0°, v
T
= _________________, measured
Questions
1. How close was your prediction to your measured value of v
T
? If they were not
exactly equal, what might account for the difference?
2. Would the terminal velocity change if you changed the mass of the cart?
3. Did you have to measure the mass of the cart to predict the terminal velocity?