Newton S Second Law 1

Newton’s Second Law
(Predicting Accelerations)

Abstract:
The purpose of this experiment is to study the Newton’s second law and the behavior of objects for which all forces are not balanced. In this experiment, a small mass m will be connected to the dynamics cart by a string. The string will pass over a pulley at the table’s edge so that as the mass falls the cart will be accelerated over the table’s force. The cart will be released from rest and allowed to accelerate over a distance. Using a stopwatch, we determine how long it takes, for the cart to move through the distance. The results that our group gathered seem not accurate because of human error.

Introduction:
Newton 's second law of motion pertains to the behavior of objects for which all existing forces are not balanced. The second law states that the acceleration of an object is dependent upon two variables - the net force acting upon the object and the mass of the object. The acceleration of an object depends directly upon the net force acting upon the object, and inversely upon the mass of the object. As the force acting upon an object is increased, the acceleration of the object is increased. As the mass of an object is increased, the acceleration of the object is decreased.

Objective:
Study Newton’s Second Law of Motion.

Schematic Procedures:

Results and Discussion:

Mtotal = _____________ g ; d = ________________ cm

Trial

Added mass (g)
Time
(s)

aexperimental
(cm/s2)

atheoretical
(cm/s2)

Percentage Error

1

2

3

Average

1

10g

2.67

14.02

13.6

3.08

2

20g

1.63

1.78

1.78

1.73

33.4

27.3

22.3

3

30g

1.50

1.44

1.66

1.53

42.72

40.99

4.22

4

50g

1.63

1.25

1.56

1.48

45.65

68.3

33.16

5

60g

1.13

1.32

1.22

1.22

67.18

81.97

18.04

In our data and results our first trial and third trial seems accurate because of the percentage error that we got. While the 2nd, 4th and 5th trial we had hard time in doing because we keep on getting s bigger percentage error and we repeat it several times. The possible error that we saw is just a human error maybe because in using the stop watch but unfortunately we failed in getting the right results.

Conclusion:
Acceleration is produced when a force acts on a mass. The greater the mass (of the object being accelerated) the greater the amount of force needed (to accelerate the object). The Second Law gives us an exact relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
References:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-3/Newton-s-Second-Law http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/Newton/law2.html

References: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-3/Newton-s-Second-Law http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/Newton/law2.html