Force and Momentum

t₁ — card in gate 1 — s
t₂ — card in gate 2 — s
T — between gates — s

Mode

Tilt the ramp until a small push moves the trolley at constant velocity.

The string passes over a frictionless pulley. The ramp is tilted only enough to cancel the friction on the trolley.

Masses on system

The total system mass is fixed at M + 5 × 20 g = 0.600 kg. Transfer masses from the trolley to the hanger to change the driving force without changing the mass being accelerated.

Trolley load
5 × 20 g
Hanger mass m
0 × 20 g = 0.000 kg

Run

Ready.

Method

  1. Measure the trolley mass M (= 0.500 kg) and the card length L (= 0.050 m). These are pre-set for you.
  2. Stack the five 20 g masses on the trolley. The total system mass M + Σm stays constant as you transfer masses to the hanger.
  3. Compensate friction: tilt the ramp and use Give a small push. When the trolley keeps a steady velocity (u ≈ v), you have found the compensation angle.
  4. Run the experiment: with the trolley at the top, release it from rest. Light gate 1 records t₁, gate 2 records t₂, and the data logger records the time T between the two gates. These are filled in for you when you press Record result.
  5. Calculate u = L / t₁, v = L / t₂ and Δv = v − u for each row and enter the values yourself.
  6. Repeat for each new hanger mass m by transferring a mass from the trolley to the hanger.

Results

# m (kg) t₁ (s) t₂ (s) T (s) u (m/s) v (m/s) Δv (m/s)
No results yet — release the trolley and press Record.