Tag Archives: mechanics

In this experiment, you will determine what advantage—if any—there is in using an inclined plane to move an object to a higher elevation. Why are ramps used when lifting heavy objects? Does it make the task easier (requires less force)? Does it make the movement shorter (requires less distance)? Does it make the effort more efficient (requires less work)? Perhaps it does several of these; maybe it does none of them. In this experiment, the cart will act as the heavy object. Your task will be to move your cart a vertical distance of 20 cm above the tabletop. You will arrange a series of ramps (inclined planes) at different angles to accomplish this task. You will measure the force needed to move a cart up the incline. You will also measure the distance through which that force would be applied to finish the job. You will then calculate the work required to lift an object using an inclined plane. By the end of the experiment, you will be able to identify what an inclined plane can do for you in terms of force, distance, and work.

In this activity, you will investigate the relationship between weight and mass. Mass and weight are different quantities. Mass is a measure of an object’s inertia, the extent to which an object resists changes to its state of motion. Weight is a measure of the interaction between an object and the planet the object is nearest to. Usually that planet is the earth. The weight of an object is related to its mass. In this activity we will find out what that relationship is.

In this activity, you will observe the motion of a variety of objects under a variety of conditions. You will interpret your observations to learn the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.

PurposeIn this activity, you will compare the path of a projectile launched horizontally with that of an object in free fall.Discussion
Suppose a ball bearing (BB) were launched horizontally at the same time another BB were dropped from the same height. Which one would reach the ground first?
Required Equipment
Vertical Acceleration Demonstrator, Ring Stand and Base, S [...]

Purpose
In this activity, you will use graphs to investigate motion. The graphs will represent your own motion and will be drawn by the computer as you move.Discussion
Graphs can be used to represent motion. For example, if you track the position of an object as time goes by, you can make a plot of position vs [...]

In this experiment, you will plot a graph that represents the motion of an object. Sometimes two quantities are related to each other, and the relationship is easy to see. Sometimes the relationship is harder to see. In either case, a graph of the two quantities often reveals the nature of the relationship. In this experiment, students will plot a graph that represents the motion of a real object.

Lab # 2.1   Mechanics:  Walking the Plank
Purpose
In this activity, students will measure and interpret the forces acting on an object when the object is in equilibrium.
Discussion
Consider two sign painters who work on a scaffold (a plank of wood suspended by ropes at both ends). They might wonder about the tension in the ropes that support [...]