Back to Galileo in the High school Lab
Part B
Terms to Know
| 1) V1 = initial speed of system (m/s) | |
| 2) V2 = final speed of system (m/s) | |
| 3) aexp = acceleration of system (experimental) (m/s2) | |
| 4) dt = target length (m) | |
| 5) t = time lapse as target moves through gate (s) | |
Formulas Necessary for Analysis
| V2 2 =V1 2 + 2ad | |
| aexp = (V2 2 - V1 2) / 2d | |
| V2 = dt / t | |
Procedure:
Set up lab equipment as per diagram. Run five (5) trials from Point 1 to Point
2, using glider with attached target. Set glider at a known distance from
timing gate. Make V1 equal to 0.0 m/s by starting from rest position.
Using average speed at Point 2 which is (V2), solve
for aexp . Remember that aexp = (V2 2
- V1 2) / 2d.
Final Analysis:
atheo and aexp should be the same in an ideal no friction world.
However, there is always some friction in the real world; therefore, we can solve
for the friction loss and efficiency of the lab equipment.
% of friction loss of system = (atheo - aexp) /atheo x 100
% efficiency = 100% - %
friction loss
Need some help? Take a
look at an animation of a similar experiment!
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