Experiment 101: Newton’s Second Law of Motion

Graph

Figure 1. Graph of Part A. Constant Mass, Changing Net Force.

An increase in the net force of the suspended mass leads to a linear increase in both
the actual and theoretical acceleration. The difference in values may be caused by the
presence of friction due to some surface roughness.

Figure 2. Graph of Part B. Constant Net Force, Changing Mass

An increase in the mass of the cart leads to a decrease in both the actual and
theoretical acceleration. The difference in values may again be accounted from the friction
present on slightly rough runway surface.
Analysis

As shown in Figure 1, the acceleration of the cart increases as the hanging weight
increases. This proves that the acceleration of the cart is directly proportional to the
suspended weight. The maximum percent error between the theoretical and actual
acceleration values was at 20.75 %. Again, the reason behind this relatively large error may
be accounted from the rough runway that contributed friction. Results could be improved by
applying lubricant to either the wheels of the cart or to the runway surface itself. Through
this, the presence of frictional force may be eliminated.

On the other hand, the acceleration of the cart decreases as more mass was being
added to it. As shown in Figure 2, there is an inverse relationship between the acceleration
of the cart and its mass. The maximum percent error between the theoretical and actual
acceleration values for this set up was at 14.40 %. Again, aside from the presence of
friction, one factor that may have caused the discrepancy may arise from the failure of the
group to verify the actual mass of the weights added to the cart. It would have been ideal to
weigh the actual mass of the weights to further improve the results since the determination
of the theoretical acceleration is strongly dependent on these masses.

Conclusion

From the results, it was successfully verified that there is a direct proportionality
between the acceleration and the net force provided that the mass of the body is constant.
Also, the experiment proves that there is an inverse proportionality between the
acceleration and mass of the body provided that the net force is constant.

Application

One job of a chemical engineer involves designing complicated systems for oil
refining and any man-made production lines. The key to these designs requires a
fundamental understanding of laws of physics, one among which is Newton’s second law of
motion.

References

Department of Physics. (2019). Physics 101 Lab Manual. Intramuros, Manila City: Mapua
University.

Department of Physics and Astronomy. (2019). Lab 5. Newton’s Second Law. Pullman, WA:
Washington State University. [online] Available at:
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/892/2017/01/101-5Newton%E2%80%99s-Second-
LawSp17.pdf [Accessed 30 Aug. 2019].