Lab 02: Acceleration vs. Angle (Physics Honors D)

CQ Physics Honors D

Purpose: To determine if a relationship exists between the angle of the motion track and acceleration of the motion car, and if so, to investigate that relationship.

Procedure: Using the lab station as is, record the angle of the track, and push the car up the ramp so its displacement is zero.
Use the GLX motion sensor (at sampling rate at 50/sec) and graph to interpret the car’s motion.
 Find the car’s acceleration after each trial using the analysis tools.
Repeat 19 times.

GLX coaching/tips:
position the motion sensor in line with the track.
check data sampling rate.
move & scale to view.
use linear fit tool / swap cursors.

Analysis:
What is the best way to determine if a relationship exists between two variables?
The best way to see a relationship between two variables is through a graph. The x-axis represents the independent variable, and the y-axis represents the dependent variable. The graph’s positive trend shows evidence of an existing relationship, which shows that as the angle (independent variable) increases, the acceleration (dependent variable) increases too.

How do you know what data should be examined and what data should be ignored?
While recording the motion of the cart, the most accurate way to measure its position is to press record, push the cart, catch it, stop recording, and then scale out the unhelpful data on the GLX. The “noise” is relatively easy to spot, easiest to see on the position graph because it is very different looking than the smooth, symmetrical parabola curve. 

What is the best way to record the information during the lab?
A neat data table with the columns labeled “trial number” or a specific unit proved to be the most efficient way to record information during the lab. See my replicated one below. 

Reporting:
What is the best way to report the lab results?
I think the most effective way to report lab results is using a graph (visual) and writing with data (argument with evidence).

The relationship between angle of the track and the acceleration of the car is easily represented on a graph, with the angle on the x-axis, and the acceleration on the y-axis. As the angle of the track increased, so did the cart’s acceleration.
For 19 out of our 20 trials, this remained true. One varied-this does not automatically mean our data is wrong, just that, in actuality, there are more uncontrolled variables than just the acceleration of the cart. Our 13th trial had an angle of 21 and an acceleration of 3.49, but this is an increased angle and decreased acceleration to our 12th trial (19 and 3.74, respectively).

Feedback/reflection:
Overall, I think this lab went really well. I definitely got better at using the GLX and now I understand the applied concepts that have been covered in class and in KhanAcademy much better. I think this lab was also probably good practice for not always perfect data.

See graph and data table posted above.