PHYS101L

REPORT NO. _____

1

NAME: ____________________________
Dañez, Luis Alfonso G.
STUDENT NUMBER: _______________
2019102435
PHYS101L/A5
SUBJECT/SECTION: _______________
DATE SUBMITTED: ________________
September 1, 2020
ANALYSIS
Falling objects, as well as objects traveling along a straight path, possess a
one-dimensional motion, which will be the focus of this experimental section.
Concepts in physics, particularly in kinematics, contain several quantities
corresponding to how fast an object moves, specifically speed, velocity, average
speed, and average velocity. Average speed (Vave) for a finite time interval pertains
to a scalar quantity that describes the distance traveled (x) by an object over the
time interval (t) for the distance traveled, represented by the equation:
x
V ave = (Equation 1)
t

Average velocity, on the other hand, pertains to a vector quantity that

describes the total displacement of an object over the time interval for the distance
traveled. In light of this, the aforementioned concept was the focus of activity 1.
The objective of this activity is to calculate the time of the chosen object that it
took to cover 100 cm, as well as its average speed. In this situation, the average
speed is equal to the average velocity, due to the experimental setup that required
only for the ball to travel on a straight path, with the guide of the folded bond
paper which served as the track. The activity demonstrated and tested how varying
strength of forces acted upon the chosen object (a ball), given constant mass,
affects the average speed that it covers.
For activity 2 of the experiment, covers concepts of uniformed acceleration
and freefall. When an object falls, different forces are acted upon it, such as the
force of gravity, which pulls down the object, and on the other hand, which is the
force of air resistance which pushes up the object. For this experiment, the air-
resistance is ignored, leading to the term “free fall” motion. According to the
second law of motion by Newton, the equation is represented by:
F net=ma

Where, if air-resistance is ignored, the only force acting upon an object is the
acceleration due to gravity.
F gravity =mg

By combining two equations,

mg=ma
g=a
 m
g=9.81 =a
s2

We see that the derivation of the equations leads to mass being disregarded.
Regardless of mass, size, or surface area an object has, every object falling
possesses identical acceleration, leading to falling at the floor at the same time.
Moreover, as the object falls from a given height, we observe that the object travels
faster the longer that it is falling, possessing the property of an accelerating object,
therefore observing a change in velocity with respect to time. One kinematic
equation applicable for this activity is that we can determine the final velocity (v f)
of an object by the sum of its initial velocity (v0) and the acceleration (a) multiplied
by travel time (t).
v f =v o−g t (Equation 2)
Initial velocity (v0) for most cases is zero since the object is still at rest
before it was being dropped. Since the only source of acceleration in a free fall
motion is the force of gravity, g denotes that it is equal to 9.81 m/s2.
The goal of this activity is to understand uniformed acceleration and freefall
by dropping different objects with varying properties. In this situation, a paper
crumpled into a ball, three crumpled paper into a single ball, and a metal ball will
be the test objects.

Activity 1
Table 1. Constant Mass and Travel Distance, Changing Net Force
Distance traveled, x = 100.0000 cm
Time it took to Average speed,
Trial Strength of force
travel 100 cm, t Vave
1 Weak 2.4900 s 40.1606 cm/s
2 Moderate 1.5200 s 65.7895 cm/s
3 Strong 0.8600 s 116.2791 cm/s
Table 1 represents the data gathered during the experimental process. Mass
and travel distances are constant for all trials. For trial 1, a weak push took the ball
to travel 2.4900 seconds to cover 100 cm, while a moderate push took the ball to
travel 1.52000 seconds. Lastly, a strong push took the ball to travel 0.86 seconds.
Using the present data, the average speed of the ball was determined by
performing a series of calculations.
Sample Calculations: (Trial 1)
Distance Travelled: 100 cm
x
V ave =
t
100 cm
¿
2.49 s
V ave =40.1606 cm/s

Sample Calculations: (Trial 2)

Distance Travelled: 100 cm
x
V ave =
t
100 cm
¿
1.52 s
V ave =65.7895 cm/ s

Sample Calculations: (Trial 3)

Distance Travelled: 100 cm
x
V ave =
t
100 cm
¿
0.86 s
V ave =116.2791 cm/ s

Based on the results, the average speed for trial 1 was computed to be
40.1606 cm/s, while for trial 2, it was computed to be 65.7895 cm/s, and lastly
116.2791 cm/s.

140
Speed vs. Net Force
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Weak Moderate Strong

Figure 1. Constant Mass and Distance Traveled, Changing Net Force

 Figure 1 represents the correlation between the variables mentioned above.
The figure shows a direct relationship, stating that as the stronger the net force is
applied to the ball, the average speed of the ball also increases. The time of travel
by the ball will, however, decrease because it passes the end of the track much
faster when the net force applied is stronger. It can be concluded that the speed of
the ball is depending on how much force will be applied to it. Reaching a
conclusion, the speed is directly proportional to the strength of the net force.

Activity 2
Table 2. Constant Height, Changing Surface Area and Mass
Time it Took to
Combination of First to reach
Trial Drop on the
Items the floor
Floor
Crumpled paper 0.5100 sec. vs.
1 vs. 3 Crumpled 0.4800 sec. 3 Crumpled Paper
Paper
Crumpled paper 0.5000 sec. vs
2 Metal Ball
vs. Metal Ball 0.4600 sec.
3 Crumpled Paper 0.4700 sec vs.
3 Metal Ball
vs. Metal Ball 0.4600 sec

Table 2 represents the different combinations of items used for the

experiment. Visually, by just looking at which object falls, each trial was a tie,
where all three objects dropped the floor at the same time. Observing the
differences in detail, the time it took to fall on the floor was also measured.
Moreover, the environment for the testing area was done in a closed room where
we disregard air resistance as much as possible, leading to the essence of the
experiment, free fall motion. For trial 1, the 3 crumpled paper into a single ball was
first to reach the floor than the crumpled paper. For trial 2, the metal ball was first
to reach the floor than the crumpled paper. Lastly, for trial 3, the metal ball was
first to reach the floor than the 3 crumpled paper into a single ball.
Observing the fall of the objects, the fall of each of the items in the trial is
observed to be speeding up as it reaches the floor. To observe that the 3 objects are
actually speeding up or accelerating, we use equation 2 for finding the final
velocity of the objects before hitting the ground.

Sample Calculations: (Trial 1)

For the crumpled paper, t = 0.5100 seconds
v f =v o−g t
= 0 m/s - (9.81 m/s2) 0.5100 s
v f =−5.0031m/s
For the 3 crumpled paper, t = 0.4800 seconds
v f =v o−g t
= 0 m/s (9.81 m/s2) 0.4800 s
v f =−4.7088 m/s

From the results of the computation, acceleration has been applied to the
chosen objects, due to a change in velocity occurred: for the crumpled paper, it
started with 0 m/s, and finally reached -5.0031 m/s before reaching the ground; for
the 3 crumpled paper, it started with 0 m/s as well, and finally reaching -4.7088
m/s before reaching the ground. The negative value denotes that the negative
direction is downward. Moreover, if done on a higher position, we can interpret
that the object can result in faster velocities, but longer distances traveled.
Therefore, the longer it is subdued to falling, the longer it will accelerate before
reaching the ground.
Observing the properties of each of the objects, each object is spherical, with
only mass as the varying value. Ranking the mass from heaviest to lightest, the
metal ball is the heaviest, followed by the 3 crumpled paper into a single ball, and
lastly the single crumpled paper. Although it was observed that mass has played a
role in how fast it dropped on the floor, the time differences between the objects
are very close, eliminating much of its air resistance even when there is still
little presence of it. Nonetheless, if total elimination of air resistance is applied,
then each of the three objects would have the same acceleration, in which the
source of acceleration is the only acceleration due to gravity itself. Analyzing the
conditions, the only circumstances where free fall motion is ideal is that it must be
done in an airless chamber or a vacuum. Or in rare cases, dropping two objects in
space since air resistance is not present.
In conclusion for the totality of this report, experiment 1 covered activities
possessing a one dimensional motion. Activity 1 determined that there is a direct
relationship between the average speed and the strength of force applied to an
object. Applying in real life, an adult can make the ball travel faster with a push
than that of an infant, due to the fact that an adult can exert stronger forces
compared to an infant. In activity 2, it was determined that there exists a direct
relationship between velocity and time of travel. Since acceleration on Earth is
constant, it can also be observed that the distance of the object traveled holds a
direct relationship with the time spent falling. The aforementioned conclusion,
however, is inapplicable for objects thrown vertically up in the air and is only
applicable for falling objects. Furthermore, discrepancies in the data are also
observed, such as human errors and air resistance in which the time traveled by
different objects is different as well. Negligence of air resistance must be
influenced in order to replicate a uniformed acceleration and a freefall motion.
Practical applications of determining average speed include knowing how
fast your car travels through its speedometer, and that we can tell if we are already
violating the speed limit on a highway. Moreover, when pushing carts, given
constant mass, a stronger push for Cart A will travel faster than Cart B with a weak
push. For freefall, real-life applications can only take in absence of air resistance.

ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS
Problems for activity 1
Problem 1:
1. Walking at a pace of 1.25 times faster than Luis’ usual speed, he reached
Mapua University 10 minutes earlier than usual. Given the situation, find
Luis’ usual time that it took traveling to Mapua, and the present time it took
for him to travel to Mapua.
Given:
- 1.25 times faster than usual speed
- 10 minutes earlier
Required:
- Present Time Traveled (t - 10)
- Usual Time Traveled (t)
Solution:
 Using the formula for speed:
s
x= (Equation 1)
t

 Let x be the usual speed, and t be the time traveled, therefore:

Present walking pace = 1.25x
Present time traveled = t - 10
Substituting back to equation 1:
s
1.25 x=
t−10
s=1.25 x (t−10)

 Since the walking distance is constant for both the usual and the present
occasion,
s= xt
1.25 x( t−10)=xt

1.25 x( t−10)=xt

 Solving for t, we get 50 minutes, and t - 10 = 40 minutes

Therefore, Luis’ usual travel time to Mapua takes about 50 minutes, but
with the given travel speed he has right now, it took only 40 minutes to travel.
2. Train A leaves from a station and is traveling at a certain speed. After 2
hours, train B leaves from the same station and moves in the same direction
with train A but traveling at a speed of 100 mph. If it catches up with train A
in 3 hours, what is the speed of train A?
Given:
- 100 mph (Train B speed)
- Train A travel time at the occasion: (3 + 2 = 5 hours)
- Train B travel time at the occasion: 3 hours

Required:
- Speed of Train A

Solution:
 Let x be the speed of train A,
 Observing the relationship between train A and B,
Distance covered by train A in (3 + 2) hours = Distance covered by train B in 3 hours
 Formula for speed:

s
x=
t

s= xt (Equation 1)

 Since the travel distance for both trains A and B are the same, using
equation 1 for both Train A and B,

x ( 5 hrs )= (100 mph ) 3 hrs

5 x=300 mph

x=60.0000 mph

 Solving for x, we get 60 mph

Therefore, the speed for train A is much slower than train B, with a speed
of only 60 mph.
Problems for activity 2
1. A boy is on the rooftop of the house 40 meters above the ground. His
neighbor, who is 1.50 meters tall is walking alongside the building at a
constant speed of 1.50 m/s. If he wishes to drop an egg on his head, where
should the neighbor be when he releases the egg? Assume that the egg is
neglecting air resistance (Assume g = -9.81 m / s2)
Given:
- 40 meters above the ground (y)
- 1.50 meters tall (yo)
- 1.50 m/s (Speed of the neighbor)

Required:
- Time traveled by the neighbor

Solution:
 Using the equation:

1
y= y o+ v o t− g t 2 (Equation 1)
2

Where:
y− y o=Height of the egg required ¿ hit the neighbor
¿ 40 – 1.5
¿ 38.5 meters

 Setting vo to 0, since the egg has already been dropped,

1 m 2
38.5 m=0− (−9.81 2 )t
2 s

 Solving for the value of t, we get t = 2.8016 s

 Using the formula for speed and distance,

s= xt

m
s=1.5 (2.8016 s)
s

s=4.2024 m

Therefore, the neighbor should be 4.2024 meters away from his house in
order for the egg to land directly on the neighbor’s head.
 2. A diver wanted to jump off a cliff that is 25 meters above the water.
Neglecting air resistance, find:
a. how long it takes for the diver to hit the water. (Assume g = -9.81
m/s2)
b. Final Velocity

Given:
- 25 meters
Required:
- Time taken to reach the water
- Final Velocity of the diver before reaching the water
Solution:
 Using the equation,
1
y= y o+ v o t− g t 2
2
 Given that y – y0 = 25 meters, with an initial velocity of 0 m/s
(referring to the diver still at rest before diving), and substituting the
value of g, we get,
−1 −9.81 m 2
25 m= ( )t
2 s2

 Rearranging the equation to get the value of t,

25 m
t=

√−1 −9.81m
2
(
s2
t=2.2576 s
)

 Solving for the value of t, we get t = 2.2576 s

Therefore, it will take for the diver 2.2576 seconds to hit the water below.

Solving for Final velocity:

 Using the equation,
v f =v 0−at
Where, v0 is equal to 0, and a (acceleration) = -9.81 m/s2
v f =0+
( −9.81s m ) 2.2576 s
2

v f =−22.1471m/s
A negative value denotes that the diver is falling, or the direction that he is
traveling is downwards.