Download 11 Inclined Planes File

Name_________________________________
Lab Date __________________
Lab #
Due Date __________________
Inclined Planes
Materials
Xplorer GLX, Motion Sensor, track, inclinometer, cart, books, measuring scale
Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to investigate the motion of a cart on an inclined plane. We will
study the velocity and the acceleration of the cart, the components of gravity force, the
normal force, the friction force acting on the cart.
Procedure
the gravity force are: 𝐹gx = 𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 (parallel to the inclined plane) & 𝐹gy = 𝑚𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
(perpendicular to the inclined plane), where m is the mass of the cart, and g is the
acceleration due to gravity. If the friction on the cart is ignored, the acceleration
of the cart should be 𝑎x = 𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 down the inclined plane. If the friction is present (the
friction between the cart and the track is rolling friction), then the picture
below represents this inclined plane problem.
y
FN
Ff
Fgx
x


Fgy
Fg
1
Equipment Setup
1. Place the long track on a table and attach the Motion Sensor to one end of the
track.
2. Place the cart at the top of the track so the cart is facing the sensor. Aim the sensor
so its signal will reflect from the cart as the cart moves down along the track.
3. Make sure to place a book at the end of the track to prevent the cart from dropping
off the table as the cart may be damaged if dropped.
Record Data
1. Measure the angle of the inclined plane with the inclinometer.
2. Select ‘Velocity’ from the submenu and press
to activate your choice.
3. Press START and release the cart. The graph of Velocity vs. time appears.
4. Press F3 to find the Slope, which is the acceleration of the cart. Read 3 different
values and record the average acceleration of the cart.
5. Change the angle and repeat. Record values for  and ax and fill the table.
6. Print the graph of Velocity vs. time for one trial. You should attach the graph
to your lab report.
Date Table
Mass of the cart m = __________ kg
Angle
( o )
Acceleration
ax (m/s2)
2
Calculations
Carry out the calculations and complete the table below.
o
Angle ( )
Fgx (N )
Fgy (N )
FN (N )
2
ax (m/s )
Fnet (N)
Ffk (N )
1. Show one calculation for the cart’s component of the gravity parallel to the inclined
plane. [Show formula, substitution with units and answer with units and sig figs].
2. Show one calculation for the cart’s component of the gravity perpendicular to the
inclined plane. [Show formula, substitution with units and answer with units and sig figs].
3. Show one calculation for the cart’s magnitude of the normal force for the cart. [Show
formula, substitution with units and answer with units and sig figs].
4. Show one calculation for the cart’s net force as the product of the mass of the cart and
the measured acceleration. [Show formula, substitution with units and answer with units
and sig figs].
5. Show one calculation for friction force acting on the cart as the difference between
the component of the gravity parallel to the inclined plane and the net force. [Show
formula, substitution with units and answer with units and sig figs].
3
Questions
1. There is an angle of the inclined plane for which the cart starts moving down the
inclined plane by itself. Explain why.
2. What happens to the cart’s component of the gravity parallel to the inclined plane
as the angle increases?
3. What happens to the cart’s component of the gravity perpendicular to the
inclined plane as the angle increases?
4. What happens to the motion of the cart if =90o? What is the value of
acceleration ax in this case? Explain why.
4