Motion - Core Practical

  1. Measure the mass of the trolley, unit masses, and the hanging hook.
  2. Measure the length of the piece of card which will interrupt the light gate beams.
  3. Adjust the height of the ramp.
  4. Mark a line on the ramp just before the first light gate - making sure the trolley travels the same distance every time.
  5. Attach the trolley to the hanging mass by the string.
  6. Let go of the trolley and let it roll down the slope.
  7. Each light gate will record the time the trolley passed through it and the speed of the trolley.
  8. Work out the acceleration using the equation acceleration = change in speed/time