The lab demonstrates what kind of motion is observed when the metal trolley is let freely down the inclined plane.

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MOTION OF THE TROLLEY

ON INCLINED PLANE

Aim: The lab demonstrates what kind of motion is observed when the metal trolley is let freely down the inclined plane.

Hypothesis:

If the metal trolley is let free down the inclined plane, its move will be accelerated. Later, as the air resistance and friction force have influence on acceleration, they will change it.

Analysis:

The first part of experiment included preparing an inclined plane. The physics book by Giancoli was laying down on one table, while the other school table was laid on the book. This action is presented on the Drawing 1. The length of the school table is 120±1 cm measured by a ruler. The width of the table is not required. The difference in levels between a table and the highest point of the inclined plane is 6.8±1 cm .

Using a ruler with exactness to millimeters and a chalk, we calculated and determined six distances of the same value 15 cm with the uncertainty of 1 cm. Next we checked if the stopwatch worked properly and checked the trolley. Its size is 19±1 cm; its mass is not relevant.

The most important part of the experiment included precise measurements. In order to do that, we repeated measurements of distance and time the trolley needed to travel given distance. Each measurement took place 10 times. Six distances measured ten times gave a total amount of sixty measurements. Using 10 measurements we calculate the average time taken to travel given distance. We added all ten measurements of time for each distance and divided by ten. The results can be seen in the Table 1.

Then, the equation V=d/t was used. The velocity was calculated and so was the change of time and the change of velocity. Then all results were recorded in Table 3 Later on, a=?V/?t was used. The acceleration for each time was calculated and recorded in Table 3. Another step was to calculate the uncertainty of the acceleration using the equation: ?a/a= ?v/v+?t/t. The time, the velocity and the acceleration from the Table 3 were used and the results were recorded in Table 3. The uncertainty of the distance is 1 centimeter and is constant; the uncertainty of time is 0.05 second and also is constant. The uncertainty of velocity and acceleration is not constant.
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After recording all necessary datas, the averages of time, velocity, acceleration and uncertainty were calculated- the measurements of each six distances were added and divided by number of the measurements-six. All measurements were rounded to second decimal place.

The next step to measure the acceleration was constructing the graph showing the distance dependence on time (Graph 1). The best-fit line was drawn, so were the line of maximal slope and the line of minimal slope. Then, the Graph 2 showing the average acceleration dependence on time was constructed. The best fit line was drawn. Last step was ...

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