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Name: ___________________________________

Date: ___________________________________
Physics 20 Dynamics
Systems of Accelerating Objects Lab


Problem: Does the net force acting on a system of an object affect the motion of the system?
If so, how does the net force affect the system?

Rationale: From Newtons Second Law of Motion, we know that when a system experiences
an unbalanced net force, the system will accelerate in the direction of the net force.
Also, if more than one object is connected together, the objects will accelerate at
the same rate. The rate at which the system accelerates is directly proportional to
the net force acting on the object.


net
F m a


The rate at which the system accelerates is also inversely proportional to the total
mass of the system.


net
F
a
m

The system of objects we will be using will include a dynamic cart and masses.

Apparatus: 1. Dynamic Cart
2. Ticker Tape (2 pieces, 1.5 m long)
3. Ticker Time (50 Hz)
4. Carbon Disk
5. 1 x 50 g, 1 x 100 g, 1 x 200 g masses
6. String
7. Scale
8. Ruler
9. Masking Tape
10. Graph Paper
11. Pulley

Mass
pulley
dynamic cart
tables
ticker timer
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Procedure:

1. Carefully stack two tables on top of each other.
2. Determine the mass of the dynamic cart.
3. Attach approximately 1.5 m of ticker tape to the bottom of the dynamic cart and feed it
through the ticker timer.
4. Attach a pulley to the edge of the top table as shown in the diagram above.
5. Attach the string to the cart and place it over the pulley and tie a loop in the end of the
string.
6. With one partner holding the cart, place 1 x 200 g and 1 x 50 g mass on the cart and
hang 1 x 100 g mass from the loop.
7. Start the timer and let go of the cart. Be sure to catch the cart and the mass before
they hit the floor or the pulley.
8. Label the ticker tape according to the net force causing the system to move.
(Tape one is 0.981 N.)
9. Repeat steps 5 8 one more time but hang 1 x 50 g and 1 x 100 g masses from the loop
and leave 1 x 200 g mass on the cart.
10. Calculate the theoretical acceleration for each system of accelerating objects and record
this value your chart.
11. Use the data from your ticker tape for each trial to draw two position-time graphs.
12. On each graph, determine four different instantaneous velocities. (Find the slope at
these points.)
13. Use these instantaneous velocities to plot two velocity-time graphs. Use these graphs
to determine the acceleration of each system.


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Data: You can use the following charts to collect you data:
Theoretical Acceleration of a System of Objects
Trial
Mass of Cart (kg) Mass of
Load on
Cart (kg)
Mass Hanging Over
Pulley (kg)
Total Mass
of System
(kg)
Net Force (N) Theoretical
Acceleration (m/s
2
)
1
2





Experimental Acceleration of a System of Objects
Trial 1 Trial 2
Net Force = Net Force =
Position
(m)
Time (s) Velocity
(m/s)
Time (s) Position
(m)
Time (s) Velocity (m/s) Time (s)














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Analysis:

1. Describe the shape of your position vs. time graphs.
2. How are the graphs different? How are they similar?
3. What does the shape of the position vs. time graphs indicate about the motion of the
objects?
4. What is the experimental acceleration to each system of objects?
5. Calculate the percentage difference between the theoretical value for the accelerations and
the experimental value for the accelerations.
6. Explain the difference between the values.
7. When the magnitude of the net force is doubled, what happens to the acceleration?
8. What is the relationship between net force on a system and acceleration?
9. Does this agree with your hypothesis?



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