Inclined Plane Lab
Purpose:
-To determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between an object and a surface.
-To determine the tension in the string between two objects.
Equipment:
-ramp
-block
-weights
-string
Pre-Lab Theory:
1. Using kinematics, determine the equation in variable form for the acceleration of the system.
2. Draw the free body diagrams showing the forces on both m and M. Indicate the coordinate system to be used for each diagram.
3. Write Newton's 2nd Law equations in variable form along both coordinate axes for each mass.
4. Solve the equations in #3 for the coefficient of kinetic friction in variable form.
5. Assuming you have solved for kinetic friction, solve one of the equations in #3 for the tension in the string between the two masses while in motion.
Procedure:
Using the setup described above, use trial and error to determine the amount of mass to hang so that the system moves smoothly. Then set up the motion detector to measure the speed of the box. Repeat this trial twice more. Then transfer the data to the computer and use the Logger Pro program to graph the data and determine a line of best fit for the position vs time data. Derive this function to get the velocity equation, then derive the velocity equation to get the acceleration. Do this with each of the three trials and then average the accelerations so you can get an average acceleration.
-To determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between an object and a surface.
-To determine the tension in the string between two objects.
Equipment:
-ramp
-block
-weights
-string
Pre-Lab Theory:
1. Using kinematics, determine the equation in variable form for the acceleration of the system.
2. Draw the free body diagrams showing the forces on both m and M. Indicate the coordinate system to be used for each diagram.
3. Write Newton's 2nd Law equations in variable form along both coordinate axes for each mass.
4. Solve the equations in #3 for the coefficient of kinetic friction in variable form.
5. Assuming you have solved for kinetic friction, solve one of the equations in #3 for the tension in the string between the two masses while in motion.
Procedure:
Using the setup described above, use trial and error to determine the amount of mass to hang so that the system moves smoothly. Then set up the motion detector to measure the speed of the box. Repeat this trial twice more. Then transfer the data to the computer and use the Logger Pro program to graph the data and determine a line of best fit for the position vs time data. Derive this function to get the velocity equation, then derive the velocity equation to get the acceleration. Do this with each of the three trials and then average the accelerations so you can get an average acceleration.
Data:
Data Analysis:
Conclusion: