Speed & acceleration

This practical lesson covers:

  1. How to determine the link between ramp angle and speed of a trolley

Investigation into the effect of ramp angle on the speed of a trolley


Aim:

To determine how the acceleration of a trolley down a ramp is affected by the angle of the ramp.

Background information:

When a trolley is set on an inclined ramp, it accelerates downhill due to gravity. The amount of acceleration depends on the steepness of the ramp. In this practical exercise, you will adjust the incline of the ramp to different angles and measure how this variation affects the trolley's acceleration.

Variables:

  1. Independent variable - The angle of the ramp
  2. Dependent variable - acceleration of the trolley
  3. Control variables - The mass of the trolley, surface material of the ramp

Equipment:

  1. Trolley
  2. Ramp with adjustable angle
  3. Meter ruler
  4. Light gates x2
  5. Interrupt card
  6. Protractor

Method:

  1. Set up two light gates at a fixed distance from each other. Make sure that the light beams are aligned and unobstructed.
  2. The light gates should be set to record the speed at each light gate.
  3. Measure and record the distance between the two light gates.
  4. Attach the interrupt card of known length to the top of the trolley.
  5. Adjust the angle of the ramp to the desired angle using the protractor.
  6. Place the trolley at the top of the ramp and release it. The interrupt card on the trolley should pass through both light gates as it travels down the ramp.
  7. Record the initial and final speeds measured.
  8. Repeat steps 3-7 for different angles of the ramp, increasing the angle by 5 degrees each time until the maximum angle is reached.
  9. Calculate the acceleration using a=v2−u2 2sa=\frac{v2-u2}{\ 2s}
  10. Plot the data on a graph with the angle of the ramp on the x-axis and the acceleration of the trolley on the y-axis.
  11. Analyse the graph to determine the relationship between the angle of the ramp and the acceleration of the trolley.

What is the independent variable in this investigation?

the acceleration of the trolley

the angle of the ramp

the distance travelled by the trolley

the mass of the trolley

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What is the relationship between the angle of the ramp and the acceleration of the trolley?

as the angle of the ramp increases, the acceleration of the trolley decreases

as the angle of the ramp increases, the acceleration of the trolley increases

the relationship cannot be determined from the information given

the angle of the ramp has no effect on the acceleration of the trolley

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What piece of equipment should be used for measuring the angle of the ramp?

protractor

digital mass balance

ruler

stopwatch

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If the angle of the ramp is increased from 10o to 20o, what would you expect to happen to the acceleration of the trolley?

it would fluctuate randomly

it would stay the same

it would decrease

it would increase

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If the trolley is released from the top of the ramp and allowed to roll down without any additional force, what type of energy is being converted into kinetic energy?

chemical energy

thermal energy

gravitational potential energy

elastic potential energy

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