An Experiment Measure Velocity and Acceleration

Draw a diagram of this experiment

Step 1 (velocity)

Set up apparatus as shown and adjust the slope of the track so that the trolley (with ticker tape attached) rolls at a constant speed when given a gentle push

Step 2 (velocity)

Turn on power and push trolley down the track

Step 3 (velocity)

Stop trolley at the end and turn off power

Step 4 (velocity)

Remove the tape and measure the distance between 2 dots (appoximately 10cm apart) with a ruler and count the number of spaces between them

Step 5 (velocity)

Calculate the velocity of the trolley from speed = distance / time

What is time in this experiment?

time = number of spaces between dots x 0.02

Step 1 (Acceleration)

Set up apparatus as shown and adjust the slope of the track so that the trolley (with ticker tape attached) accelerates down the track when given a gentle push

Step 2 (Acceleration)

Turn on power and push trolley down the track

Step 3 (Acceleration)

Stop trolley at the end and turn off power

Step 4 (Acceleration)

Remove the tape and measure the distance between 2 dots (appoximately 10cm apart) with a ruler and count the number of spaces between them (do this at the beginning and the end of the tape)

Step 5 (Acceleration)

Count also the number of spaces between the middle dot of each section multiplying this number by 0.02s to find t

Step 6 (Acceleration)

Calculate the velocity of the trolley at the beginning of the tape (u) and velocity of the trolley at the end of the tape (v) from speed = distance / time

Step 7 (Acceleration)

Calculate a from a = (v-u) / t