Forces and Acceleration

What is acceleration of an object?

Measure of how quickly it speeds up, slows down or changes direction.

What is the equation for acceleration, change in velocity and time taken?

Acceleration = Change in velocity Time taken

How can you calculate acceleration?

(final velocity)²-(initial velocity)²= 2 x Acceleration x Distance

How can the gradient of a velocity-time graph be used?

To find the acceleration of an object.

What is the total distance travelled equal to in a velocity-time graph?

The area under the graph.

What is Newtons second law?

The acceleration of an object is proportional to the resultant force acting on the object and inversely proportional to the mass of the objects.

What happens to the resultant force and mass of an object if they are doubled, according to Newton’s second law?

• If resultant force is doubled, acceleration will double.

• If mass is doubled, acceleration will be halved.

What is the equation for force, mass and acceleration?

Force = Mass x Acceleration

What is mass a measure of?

Inertia. Described how difficult it is to change velocity of an object.

What is the inertial mass given by?

Ratio of force over acceleration m= F a

What happens if mass is larger?

Bigger force is needed to change the velocity.

How can you investigate the effect of varying force and/or the mass on the acceleration of an object?

1. Set up equipment as shown.

2. Release trolley and use light gates or stopwatch to take measurements needed to calculate acceleration.

3. Move 100g (1N) from trolley onto mass holder.

4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until all masses have been moved from trolley onto mass holder.

If investigating mass:

• Keep force constant by removing mass from trolley but not adding it to the holder.