Speed and Acceleration 2/10/2011 Chase Wagner Lab Partner: Tyler Hills

Purpose: To observe the relationship between time, distance, and speed, and calculate values with observations taken from the lab.

Materials and Procedure: -stack of books -50 cm wooden ramp -masking tape -stopwatch -meterstick -pen or pencil -toy car or ball

Procedure Part A First, clear a runway about 6 meters long. Then, at one end of the runway, set up the ramp by leaning one end against a stack of books about 20 cm tall. The car will be launched from this. Next, mark where the ramp touches the floor with masking tape, and label it 0.0 meters. Place more markers at 1.0 m, 2.0 m, 3.0 m, 4.0 m, and so on through 6.0 meters from the bottom of the ramp. Then, practice launching the car and add or remove books so the car travels to the 5.0 meter marker. Now, measure the time that the car takes to travel the 5.0 meters. Record the time and distance in Table 4-1, and measure and record the times and distanced of three more trials. Procedure Part B Repeat steps 4 and 5 from part A. However, now record the times it takes the car to get to each marker, which may take several trials in order to record all data. Complete four trails of this, and record the times and distances in Table 4-2. Make sure the data tables are filled before leaving the lab. Data Trial 1 2 3 4 Average Time(s) 3.76 3.35 3.37 3.84 3.58

Distance = 5 meters Car s average speed = 1 m/s Time(s) 3.0m 2.43 1.92 2.40 2.44 2.30 1.3

Trial 1 2 3 4 Average Average Speed (m/s)

1.0m .58 1.13 1.13 .58 .86 1.2

2.0m 1.73 1.79 1.77 1.82 1.78 1.1

4.0m 3.26 3.18 2.60 2.61 2.91 1.4

5.0m 3.76 3.35 3.37 3.84 3.58 1.4

Calculations Average time for 5 meters - 3.76+3.35+3.37+3.84+3.58=17.9 17.9/4 = 4.475 4.48 Average speed for 5 meters - 5 m/4.48 s = 1.116071, 1 m/s Average time for 1.0 meter - .58+1.13+1.13+.58 = 3.42 3.42/4 = 0.855 .86 Average speed for 1.0 meter 1.0m/.86s = 1.162791 1.2

Graphs

Conclusion/Discussion The lab was performed without incident and all data was recorded. The data shows that the car decelerated with distance. The results show that the average speed increased with distance. Questions and Problems 1. The car went straight forwards every trail and successfully passed the 5 meter mark. 2. Friction and air resistance slowed the car and a catcher stopped it from going too far. 3. The car did not travel at a constant speed, as the 4 trials for each marker give a different result each time. 4. You could change the surface on which it was riding on, or lower the ramp so that it has a lower initial speed. You could also use a different, heavier car. 5. You could raise and/or lengthen the ramp so that the car is accelerating faster and longer. 6. There must be no friction or air resistance acting on it, and it must not be launched from a ramp. It could also be at rest, not moving.