Can the Speed of a Car that is Positioned at Different Places Along a Ramp be Predicted?
9 October 2012
Honors Physics
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to determine if the speed of a car that is positioned at different places along a ramp can be predicted. This goal is to be accomplished by analyzing the time intervals that the car took to travel down the ramp at eight different set distances under one meter.
Hypothesis:
It is hypothesized that yes, the speed of a car that is positioned at different places along a ramp can be predicted. It can be predicted with the help of the given equation: VB= 0.050m/tB.
Materials:
• CPO Physics Stand
• CPO Ramp
• CPO Four-wheeled Car
• CPO Timer
• Meter Stick
• 1 weight (194.3g)
• Calculator
• Photogate Device (2) *referred to as Clamp A and Clamp B
• Connector Cords (2)
Procedure:
a) Place the CPO Physics stand in an open area and connect the CPO physics ramp to it by unscrewing the knob and placing the screw in the fifth hole of the CPO Physics stand. Turn the knob back onto the ramp to secure the two together.
b) Place one photogate device (Clamp A) at the top of the ramp, so that the car breaks the light beam about one centimeter after it starts moving down.
c) Use the meter stick to place Clamp B 0.80 meters away from Clamp A on the ramp. The car should go through Clamp A first, then Clamp B.
d) Add the weight to the car.
e) Turn the timer device on and set it to interval mode. Attach the connector cords from the timer to the clamps on the ramp and assure that both lights A and B on the timer are on.
f) Place the car at the top of the ramp. (Check that both lights A and B on the timer are on).
g) Release the car to attain the time it takes the car to get from A to B. Repeat five times and find the average time.
h) Turn off light B on the timer device.
i) Place the car at the top of the ramp.
j) Release the car to attain the time it takes the...