Physics Airtrack Experiment. The effects of angle on the acceleration of a glider on an airtrack.

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Title: The effects of angle on the acceleration of a glider on an airtrack.

Research Question: What is the relationship bewteen the angle of inclination of the airtrack and the acceleration of the glider.

Independent Variable: The angle of inclination of the airtrack (2°, 4°, 7°, 9°, 11°, 15°).

Dependent Variable: The velocity and acceleration of the glider on the airtrack.

Constant Variables: Glider maintianed the same weight throughout each trial.  The same amount of air was pushed through the air track at the same pressure.  Photogates are the same distance apart.

- I believe that with an increase in the angle of inclination, there will also be an increase in the acceleration of the glider.

Diagram:

-As air blows through the airtrack, it creates a frictionless surface for the glider to glide on.

Procedure:
Step 1- Set up airtrack with glider resting all the way at the top.  Place photogates approximately 94cm (+-1cm) or .94m away from each other (one must be at the top of the airtrack).  Reset photogates in order to make sure you recieve a proper time during experiment.

Step 2- Set airtrack at a spefic angle using a protractor (in this case at 2° (+- 1°).

Step 3- Initiate airtrack and observe as glider glides past photogates and collides with Rubber band stopper.

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Step 4- Record time output given by initial photogate.

Step 5- Repeat step 1 through 4 for 5 trials at the same angle on the air track.

Step 6- Increase the angle of the airtrack using a protractor (doesn't have to be incrementally) and repeat steps 1 through 5.  Each time angle is changed, make sure to raise the photogates so as not to collide with glider.  Also make sure photogates remain the same distance apart.

Data Table:

-To solve for the acceleration of the glider on an inclined plane you have to consider that a=gsinΘ because acceleration is ...

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