Catapult Investigation

Mark Cranshaw 0P/11P Physics coursework Catapult Investigation Planning: * Preliminary work The preliminary part of my catapult investigation was to see how far I could stretch an elastic band without breaking and also to test to see what readings I could use in the final experiment. I am going to plan an experiment where I shall investigate the firing distances of 100g weights fired by two elastic bands wrapped around a stool. First of all we did our preliminary experiment. In this we investigated elastic bands to see which would be most suitable to use in our final experiment. We tested the elastic bands with different forces (1-10 Newton's) and recorded the distances of which they were stretched. I realised that if I stretched the elastic bands with more than a force of 10 Newton's then they would probably break or loose their elastic energy. Here is a diagram showing our trial experiment: The results of this experiment are shown on the graph on the next page and also below: Force (Newton's) Distance stretched (cm) 24 2 29 3 36 4 44 5 54 6 64 7 73 8 80 9 86 0 90 1 05 2 09 3 20 4 23 5 25 From the results it is quite easy to see that the bigger the force on the elastic band the further it will stretch. From this I will make a prediction: "The more force put on the elastic band the further the weight will travel the further the elastic

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Are mobile phones a health risk?

Abstract In this report I aim to determine whether or not mobile phones pose a risk to our health. I will explain how mobile phone electromagnetic radiation can be perceived as dangerous, with reference to the EM spectrum. I will cite scientific sources of evidence which support both sides of the dispute, and will come to a reasoned conclusion as to how likely it is that mobile phones are a health risk. I will also evaluate the credibility of the sources used to support my conclusions, and list all the sources used throughout in a detailed bibliography. Introduction Mobile phones are becoming increasingly popular in today's world; with around 80 million handsets in Britain, there are now more mobiles than people [1]. They've become an essential part of our existence, in business, in our daily lives and in keeping in touch with our loved ones - however, there is growing concern that this technology is causing serious health problems throughout the population, such as lasting brain damage and cancer. The Media consistently tends to portray mobile phones negatively, fuelling the public's fears and misgivings: this study aims to determine from the scientific evidence whether or not mobile phones present a risk to our health. Main Points How might Mobile Phones be Hazardous to our Health? After studying numerous publications, I have found that if there are concerns about how

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The acceleration of a ball down various inclines

SCIENCE EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECT THE ACCELERATION OF A SPHERE OVER DIFFERENT INCLINES PREPARED BY SARANG PALERI TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS . Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Aim 4. Hypothesis 5. Materials 6. Method 7. Results 8. Discussion 9. Conclusion PAGE NO. 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 9 0 ABSTRACT In this experiment, I constructed a project to test the change in velocity of a spherical object down a slope, and how that is affected by different inclines. I will record the time a ball takes to get to the bottom of a plank, measuring the times it takes to get to different intervals. The inclines I will be using to roll the ball down are at 2°, 4°, 6°, 8° and 10°. The control will be at 90°, as the only force acting on it is gravity. I will roll the ball down the plank 5 times at each angle, ruling out some random errors. The ball will be a Wilson Championship Heavy Duty 70g tennis ball. The plank can be any length, but it is preferable to use pine wood, as it is soft and is not undulating. The measurements are made with multiple stopwatches, to record times at each interval. The independent variable is change in incline angle, and the dependant variable is velocity down the plank. The acceleration of the ball is determined by further analysing these results. INTRODUCTION My Semester 2 Science Assessment Task requires me to research and investigate an

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Aim:To find out whether or not the angle of the ramp affects the acceleration of the trolley.

Trolley Investigation Introduction: This is an investigation on the acceleration of a wheeled object going across an angled ramp. To clarify; we need to see if the angle effects this acceleration. In this case the object is a wooden trolley and the ramp is a flat straight wooden board. This can be observed in the diagram. Aim: To find out whether or not the angle of the ramp affects the acceleration of the trolley. Prediction: I predict that on a steeper ramp the trolley will accelerate faster; meaning the angle of the ramp is directly proportional to the acceleration. Hypothesis: Our Earth has a gravitational pull which gets weaker the further away an objects gets from it; and stronger the closer it gets; hence the closer the object is to the earth then the stronger gravitational force will be acting upon it from the earth. I have made my prediction to be what it is based on my previous knowledge and what I have learned from my science classes and textbooks. I think that a steeper ramp angle will cause the trolley to accelerate faster; this is because we are measuring the time it takes for the trolley to get to the bottom of the ramp; and the changes in acceleration. Every 2 dimensional movement (ignoring the fact the trolley can go side to side) has 2 directions: X and Y. In this experiment Y will be gravity and X will be determined by the angle of the ramp. If the

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The Physics of Windsurfing

INTRODUCTION You glide across the surface of the water at unbelievable speeds, steer towards a white capped wave, and then lift off like a bird, each muscle resisting against the force of the wind. Then you smash into the trough of the wave, leap up from near disaster, and look quickly for the next wave so you can do it all over again. This is the exciting sport of windsurfing. THE BEGINNING Windsurfing began in the '60s when an aeronautical engineer and a scientist had a discussion. In 1969, the engineer presented an idea entitled "Wind Surfing: A New Concept in Sailing." This new concept involved releasing the mast from its fixed vertical position and allowing it to turn around its base (Now a days the vertical positioning is not fixed) The sailor then can both steer and balance the board through correct movements of the mast and sail. The early Windsurfer boards measured 12 feet (3.5 m) long and weighed 60 pounds (27 kg). WHAT IS A SAILBOARD? A sailboard is composed of a board and a rig. There is variation in modern sailboards; they generally range from 8 to 12 ft (2 to 4 m) and weigh between 7 to 18 kg; some have attained speeds of over 40 knots CONTROL AND MOVEMENT There is lower pressure on the forward part of the sail and a net force perpendicular to the sail. The net force propels the windsurfer, but part of this force is to the side of the sailboard. The

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Isaac Newton.

Isaac Newton. Isaac Newton was born in the manor house of Woolsthorpe, near Grantham in Lincolnshire. According to the calendar in use at the time of his birth he was born on Christmas Day 1642. Isaac Newton came from a family of farmers but never knew his father, also named Isaac Newton, who died in October 1642. Isaac's mother Hannah Ayscough remarried Barnabas Smith the minister of the church at North Witham, a nearby village, when Isaac was two years old. The young child was then left in the care of his grandmother Margery Ayscough at Woolsthorpe. Basically treated as an orphan, Isaac did not have a happy childhood. His grandfather James Ayscough was never mentioned by Isaac in later life and the fact that James left nothing to Isaac in his will, made when the boy was ten years old, suggests that there was no love lost between the two. Upon the death of his stepfather in 1653, Newton lived with his mother, his grandmother, one half-brother, and two half-sisters. Shortly after this time Isaac began attending the Free Grammar School in Grantham. During this time Isaac lodged with the Clark family at Grantham. However he seems to have shown little promise in academic work. An uncle, William Ayscough, decided that Isaac should prepare for entering university and, having persuaded his mother that this was the right thing to do, Isaac was allowed to return to the Free

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Sir Isaac Newton.

Isaac Newton's life can be divided into three quite distinct periods. The first is his boyhood days from 1643 up to his appointment to a chair in 1669. The second period from 1669 to 1687 which was the highly productive period in which he was a professor at Cambridge University. The third period (nearly as long as the other two combined) saw Newton as a highly paid government official in London with little further interest in mathematical research. Isaac Newton was born in the manor house of WoolsThorpe, near Grantham in Lincolnshire. By the calendar in use at the time of his birth he was born on Christmas Day 1642. Isaac Newton came from a family of farmers but never knew his father, also named Isaac Newton. Although Isaac's father owned property and animals, which made him quite a wealthy man, he was completely uneducated and could not sign his own name. Isaac's mother Hannah Ayscough remarried Barnabas Smith the minister of the church at North Witham, a nearby village, when Isaac was two years old. The young child was then left in the care of his grandmother Margery at Woolsthorpe. Basically treated as an orphan, Isaac did not have a happy childhood. His grandfather James was never mentioned by Isaac in later life and the fact that James left nothing to Isaac in his will, made when the boy was ten years old, suggests that there was no love lost between the two. There is

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AS OCR B Advancing Physics Coursework - Making Sense of Data

AS Physics Coursework - Making Sense of Data An experiment was carried out in which the velocity of a falling mass was measured using a light gate: The results are shown in the table below: Height Above Light Gate (mm) Velocity #1 (m/s) Velocity #2 (m/s) Velocity #3 (m/s) 20 0.61 0.62 0.51 70 .12 .11 .10 20 .52 .62 .50 70 .76 .72 .79 220 .93 2.03 .99 270 2.26 2.28 2.30 320 2.45 2.50 2.46 370 2.62 2.67 2.63 420 2.84 2.80 2.89 470 2.96 2.97 2.99 520 3.18 3.13 3.20 570 3.30 3.44 3.34 620 3.53 3.53 3.40 670 3.62 3.64 3.67 720 3.84 3.62 3.83 770 3.86 3.84 3.83 820 4.03 3.97 3.99 870 4.18 4.12 4.14 920 4.36 4.41 4.20 Provided with these results I have initially decided to look at any relationship between the actual figures collected, with the plan of calculating and exploring further data later. I am therefore looking at the relationship between the distance the object fell, and its velocity as it passed through the light gate. An average of the velocities measured in each experiment has been calculated and the height at which the weight was dropped has been multiplied by 1000 to convert it to metres. I have created a graph of these values. Distance fallen /m Average Velocity/ ms-1 0.02 0.58 0.07 .11 0.12 .55 0.17 .76 0.22 .98 0.27 2.28 0.32 2.47 0.37 2.64 0.42 2.84 0.47

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Physics nptes key definitions. Newtons Law And Momentum, Circular Motion And Oscillations, Thermal Physics

Physics Unit 1: The Newtonian World Module 1: Newton's Law And Momentum * Newton's First Law - A force is necessary to change the state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight line of a body * Momentum/Linear Momentum - The mass of an object multiplied by its velocity * Newton's Second Law - The rate of change of the momentum of an object is directly proportional to the resultant net force acting upon it * One Newton is the force that gives a mass of one kilogram an acceleration of one metre per second each second * Mass - The inertia of an object/how difficult it is to accelerate an object * Weight - The gravitational force the Earth exerts on an object, pulling it towards the ground * Newton's Third Law - When body A exerts a force on body B, then body B exerts on body A force that is equal, opposite in direction and of the same type * The Principle Of Conservation Of Momentum - In any direction, in the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system remains constant * Elastic Collision - No momentum or kinetic energy is lost * Inelastic Collision - Momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not Module 2: Circular Motion And Oscillations * Radian - The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of length equal to the circle's radius * Period - The time taken to complete one revolution * Centripetal Acceleration - The acceleration

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Torsional Pendulum final experiment

A2 Physics Coursework Final experiment Changes to be made to final experiment and reasons * To improve reliability of my results I will perform 3 runs for each measurement rather than 1, this will allow me to average the 3 results for each measurement which will improve reliability of results, and if there is one of the 3 that does not fit it can be excluded and average the other 2. I will no longer need to do 5 oscillations and then divide by 5 as the accuracy of the readings by the light gate ensures that the experimental error will already be eliminated as human error and reaction time no longer applies. * I will scale up parts of the experiment which produced larger than expected error. Therefore I will use a larger diameter of wire, which will therefore reduce the percentage error as the accuracy of the micrometer will still be the same. * The time period was where the majority of the errors occurred in the preliminary. Therefore I am going to use a light gate to measure the time period, this will reduce error on the time period significantly. It will eliminate the human error as the error due human reaction time will no longer apply. There will only be a reading error now, which is far less significant than the experimental error. * I will use a range of lengths from 100-500mm rather than 100-800mm, as when the length becomes very long the bar on the bar on the

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