Investigating the relationship between force, mass and acceleration
Aim:
To prove Newton’s second law, F=ma.
Hypothesis:
We expect to find that as force increases the acceleration will increase. This relationship should be proportional. On the other hand, we expect to find an inversely proportional relationship between mass and acceleration. As the mass increases, the acceleration will decrease.
Apparatus:
- Dynamics trolleys
- Ramp
- Light gates
- Stopwatch
- Masses 100g, 1kg
- String
- Card
Diagram:
Method
- Set up apparatus as shown in the diagram.
- Set up light gate computer to measure the acceleration of the trolley as it travels down the ramp.
- Add a mass on 100g (1N) to the end of the trolley and measure its acceleration as it travels down the ramp. Repeat this twice more. Record all results.
- Add on another 100g mass to the end and measure the acceleration. Carry on adding masses and taking three readings until you have reached a mass on 500g. This is varying the force acting on the trolley.
- Next, remove all but one mass of the end of the trolley and add a 1kg weight on top of the trolley. Measure the trolleys new acceleration as it travels down the ramp.
- Repeat this for a mass of 2kg. This varies the mass of the trolley while keeping the force constant.
- Plot two graphs of your results. One showing force against acceleration and the other showing mass against acceleration.
