Physics 2020 --- Lab 04

Forces and Motion

Materials:
• Access to internet
• A small, light ball; like a marble, or tennis ball
• Cardboard or construction paper
• Measuring tape

Course Objectives:
1. Mathematically manipulate vectors.
2. Analyze motion in one and two dimensions.
3. Utilize Newton's laws of motion to solve problems.

Introduction:
In this week's lab we will focus on the consequences of Newton's laws of motion. The goal of this
lab is to mix a simulated environment with an at home experiment. Newton's laws of motion apply
to most every situation you encounter in daily life, yet to study them in a meaningful way, we need
to see how the laws are ideally applied. Then you can expand the basic principles to more
complex situations.

You may find the following equations helpful throughout the lab:
1. Ve = vox ” axt
2. x‹ = xo + xot + 17• ?txt
3. V 2 = vox2 2axAx
4. xf = X0 + 1/2(vfx + vo )t

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Activity #1
First proceed to the following webpage:
https://phet.coIorado.edu/sims/html/forces-and-motion-basics/latest/forces-and-motion-
basics en.html

Then click on the icon which is labeled “Friction” like in the image below:

Once you do that, you should see a simulation which looks like this:
M Forces
@ Sum of Forces
Values
@ Masses @
Speed '
Friction

Lots

Motion: Basics

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 To setup the simulation, click all the options in the upper right corner, so you can see all the
parameters for this simulation:

Then click on the single right arrow to increase the pushing force of the figure.

Click only a few times. You will notice that the box does not move! Continue to click until the
box just barely begins moving. This will take some time, so be patient!

Once you have just gotten the box to move, make a note of the force just previous to the one that
caused the box to move. Add it into the table below. Continue this same procedure by adding
more mass, in the shape of the child, the adult, and the trash can. To complete the table below,
calculate the coefficient of static friction between the box and the ground. Keep in mind the
equation for the equation, Fi = /t *Normal. Be sure to show all your work and include any
assumptions you make

1.

Object Force Friction (N) Mass of Object (kg) Coefficient of Static

Friction
Box 125 50 0.2551
Box + Child 225 90 0.2551
Box + Adult 325 130 0.2551
Box + Trash can 375 150 0.2551

Assumption:
Gravity = 9.8m/s2

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Calculation of coefficient of static friction
1. Box
Normal force, N = mg (mass x gravity)
Normal force = 50 x 9.8 = 490N
Coefficient of Static Friction, Us = Ff/N
Us = 125/490 = 0.2551
2. Box + child
N = 90 x 9.8 = 882N
Us = 225/882 = 0.2551
3. Box + Adult
N = 130 x 9.8 = 1274N
Us = 325/1274 = 0.2551
4. Box + Trash can
N = 150 x 9.8 = 1470N
Us = 375/1470 = 0.2551

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 2. Write out the final answer for the coefficient of friction as the average of the values in the
table (average all of your coefficients of frictions, and write that average below).

AVERAGE Us = 0.2551

3. Using similar methods as in questions #1 and #2, estimate the mass of the object in the
present, the mystery mass. Include a description of the process and the mathematics of
estimating the mass. Use the average coefficient of friction written in #2 to solve for the
mystery mass.

Force Friction = 250N

Total mass = M
Us = 0.2551
Us = Ff/(Mg)
Mg = Ff/Us = 250/0.2551 = 980N
M = 980/9.8 = 100kg
M = (Box + Mystery Mass)
Mystery Mass = 50kg

4. Set an object (anyone you choose) to be moving at a constant speed. Describe the
procedure for keeping the object moving at a constant speed. Write down the speed at
which the object is moving, as well.

Object – Box
Procedure
 Add the force friction gradually up to 126N until the box starts to move.
 The applied force is now 126N and Friction force is 94N
 Now reduce the applied force until it is equal to friction force (94N)
 The Box will move a constant speed of 14.6 m/s

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 5. Using the equations of constant acceleration, estimate the time for the object to stop
moving, once you remove all the applied force. Keep in mind you know the
acceleration of the box because the force of friction is the only force, once the figure
stops pushing on the box! Show all your calculations and work to receive full credit.

Vfx = V0x + axt

Friction force = 94N
Acceleration, a = 94N/50kg = 1.88 m/s2
Vfx = 0
V0x = 14.6m/s
t = 14.6/1.88 = 7.77seconds

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Activity #2

Now it is time to have some fun with some equipment you likely have at home. To complete the
activity, you should follow the procedures below:

1. Set a piece of cardboard or construction paper on a table, with one end of the cardboard or
paper 10 cm from the edge of the table.
2. Raise one end of the cardboard/paper 5 cm off the table, to create a ramp from the
cardboard/paper. The Scm measurement should occur 20 cm from the edge of the
paper. A diagram to illustrate this is shown below:

3. You may want to tape the paper in place and use some books to raise the
cardboard/paper above the table. Setting this up may take some time, so please be
careful in your approach.

Now that the experiment is setup, it is time to conduct some tests! Take a marble or tennis ball
and set it at the top of the ramp. Release the ball and let it roll off the end of the table. Make a
note of where the ball lands.

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 4. Repeat the same exact process five times, releasing the ball from the same position on the
ramp. Making note of where the ball lands each time. Fill in the table below with
measurements you make for each attempt. A diagram of the distance to be measured is
shown below as well.

Distance

Attempt Distance from Table to Landing (cm)

1 23
2 21
3 21
4 24
5 21.8

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 5. Calculate an average distance the ball landed from the table. Write out the math and the
answer in the space below.

Average Distance = (23 + 21 + 21 + 24 + 21.8)/5 = 110.8/5 = 22.16 cm

6. Now let's take a theoretical approach to the distance travelled. If we want to calculate the
expected distance from the table, we need to know the velocity of the ball as it leaves the
table. Using the height of the table, estimate the time of flight of the ball. You may find that
the equation Ay = V y (1e)*g*t2, where Ay is the height of the table, V y lS zero, as the ball
is moving horizontally, and you want to solve for t. Write your working and the answer
below:

∆y = V0y + (1/2)*g*t2
Height of the table, ∆y = 51.5cm
51.5 = 0.5 x 9.8 x t2
t2 = 51.5/(0.5x9.8) = 10.5102
t = 3.24 seconds

7. If we want to know the horizontal distance traveled, keep in mind we know that the
horizontal velocity does not change after it leaves the table. So we can use the equation v,
= Ax/At. We know At from #8 and we want to calculate Ax. How might we estimate v,?
Write out your ideas below.

 Measure the time it takes for the ball to reach the ground
 Measure the distance between the ball's starting position and the point where it lands.
 Calculate the horizontal velocity using the following formula: Vx = ∆x / ∆t
 Estimate the horizontal velocity by considering the angle of the ramp
 Estimate the horizontal velocity by considering the mass of the ball.

8. Observing that the ball rolls down the inclined plane, determine what the acceleration of
the ball is as it rolls (assuming no friction) down the ramp. Note, you may be tempted to
answer, “the acceleration of the ball is caused by the acceleration due to gravity which is
9.8 m/s2, however notice the ball does not fall vertically downward. Using the inclined
plane as a right triangle, use trig to determine what the acceleration of the ball is. You
will need to know the angle of inclination of the plane, which you can find using the
images above.
tan(θ) = h / b = 5/20 = 0.25
θ = tan-1 0.25 = 14.040
Vertical acceleration of the ball, ay = 9.8m/s2 x sin (14.040)

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ay = 9.8m/s2 x 0.2426 = 2.377 m/s2

9. Assuming you let the ball go with zero velocity, calculate the velocity of the ball at the
bottom of the ramp. Again, assume no friction.

Vfx2 = V0x2 + 2ay∆x

Vfx = final velocity at the bottom of the ramp
V0x = initial velocity = 0
ay = acceleration of the ball = 2.377m/s2
∆x = height of the ramp (vertical displacement)
Vfx2 = 0 + 2(2.377m/s2 x 0.05m) = 0.2377
Vfx = √(0.2377) = 0.4875 m/

10. Given that the velocity of the ball does not change much between the edge of the ramp
and the end of the table, calculate the expected distance traveled from the edge of the
table, Ax mentioned in #9. If you did not get v, from #9, then you can simply write an
estimate down for v, but be sure to note that it is an educated guess, note a calculated
velocity.

Xf = X0 + 1/2(Vfx + Vo )t
since X0 and V0 = 0, the equation becomes:
Xf = 0.5(Vfx)t
Xf = 0.5 x 0.4875 x 3.24 = 0.78975m = 78.98cm

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 11. As a summary of the activity, there was likely a difference between your calculated
distance (#10) and the measured distance (#5 on pg. 7). Write out some thoughts on the
physical reasons why these two numbers are different. You should not simply say
“measurement errors” or “user error” but include physics concepts from the class thus
far.

 In real-world situations, it is challenging to completely remove all causes of friction.

 Air Resistance: Prevents the ball from moving over the table and slows it down.
 Mistakes in the setup: Small differences in the angle of the inclined plane, the table's
surface, and the form of the ball may cause departures from the ideal situation.
 Accuracy of Measurements: correct findings depend on correct ramp height, horizontal
distance, and time measurements.
 Hypotheses in the Model: Idealized circumstances disregard practical elements like minute
surface differences that impact the ball's speed.
 Initially Uncertain Conditions: Even if zero beginning velocity is assumed, a non-zero
initial velocity may affect the ball's motion and cause variances in the distance calculated.

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