Applying Newtons Laws Lab: Forces and Dynamics in 2D

Purpose: To develop an understanding of forces and motion in 2-D. We will 1) predict the landing
location for a horizontally launched projectile, 2) develop a way to measure pitching speed, and 3)
predict the steepest angle at which a coffee mug can safely rest on an inclined plane.

Part 1: On Target
Materials: ramp, marble, stopwatch, meter sticks, paper, clay.
Objective: Experimentally, find the speed of the marble when it exits the ramp, then use that value to
predict where the marble will land when launched from the lab table.

Decide where on the ramp to start your marble and mark it. Move the ramp to floor and conduct an
experiment to figure out its horizontal speed when exiting the ramp. Perform multiple trials and generate
a best value for the speed and an estimated error.

Use the data table below to record data.

d= t1= t2= t3= t4=

1.35 s 1.56 s 1.48 1.44

estimated v= approximate
error in v= the
time varied from
1.35s to 1.57s.
1. Show your calculations for the estimated v here and describe your method for approximating
the error in v.
The exiting velocity may have been inaccurately calculated because of varying time results when rolling
the ball off the ramp.

Place the ramp on the lab table and measure the height of the ramp exit above the floor, use this value to
predict the time of flight for the marble. Then use the time of flight and the estimated speed value to
predict the landing location and estimate the error in this value.

h= 0.775 m-0.108m tf= 0.37s xf=0.494 error in xf=

Height : 10.8 cm
2. Show your calculations for the time of flight and predicted landing point here and describe your
method for approximating the error in xf.
Using paper, construct a bullseye target using the error in xf to determine the radius of the inner circle.
Use a small amount of clay thinly cover this inner disk. Center the disk at the predicted landing point and
carefully align the setup then test it out.

3. Did the marble land at the expected location within the approximated error? Explain ways to
improve targeting.
The marble did not land at the expected location.Ways to improve targeting include improving accuracy of
the time it took the marble to roll off the ramp and two meters.
Part 2: Measuring Pitching Speed.
Design an experiment to measure the speed of a thrown ball. Then go outside or to the gym and conduct
the experiment. Video analysis can be used as a secondary tool to evaluate the error in the pitching
speed for extra credit.

Fill in the experimental plan below and then see me for any help you need gathering equipment.
Experiment Proposal
Materials: Tape, Pouch, Meter Stick, Meter Tape, Marker

Procedure: a) Measure height from which the pouch is thrown.

b) Use the height to determine flight time using the equation Yf = Yo + VoY - 1/2gt^2
c) Throw the pouch and measure the distance between the initial position and where the
pouch landed.
d) Use final position and time of flight to determine V using : V= xf / tf

Data Analysis: The flight time was approximately 0.49s and the velocity used to throw the ball was
approximately 5.22m/s. It would have made more sense to do multiple trials.

Perform the experiment and record your data below. Insert the size chart you will need from the Insert
menu.
 1. What assumptions were made in the design of the experiment?

I assumed that the air resistance when throwing the pouch was negligible.

2. Give an estimate for the error in the pitching speed and explain the method used to determine
that value.

3. For extra credit, use video analysis to estimate the speed of the ball when pitched. Compare both
values and explain why discrepancies might exist.

N/A
Part 3: Danger Mug
First design an experiment to measure the coefficient of static friction between the mug and the inclined
plane surface when flat. Then use this value to predict the maximum angle the inclined plane can be set
at and still safely hold the mug.

Fill in the experimental plan below and then see me for any help you need gathering equipment.
Experiment Proposal
Materials:Mug,Table,Spring,Triple Beam Balance, Protractor

Procedure: a) Measure the mass of the mug and calculate its weight
b) Calculate the force of friction between the mug and table using the spring scale
c) Graph the friction force v the weight; the slope of the graph is the coefficient of the friction
force
d) Use the coefficient of the friction force to predict the angle at which the table can safely
hold the mug
e) Test the angle by tilting the table and confirming at which angle the mug begins to slide

Data Analysis:
The maximum angle at which the table can be tilted and still hold the mug is approximately 22 degrees.

Perform the experiment and record your data below. Insert the size chart you will need from the Insert
menu.

Insert any graphs used to find the coefficient of friction below.

Record the estimate of the coefficient of friction and estimate an error in the value. Explain how the
values were arrived at and calculations used.
s=o.44 estimated error in s=
Work:
Consider the diagram below and draw a corresponding free body diagram for the mug on an inclined
plane.

Using the orientation of the plane as the x-axis, create a set of expressions for net force in the x and y
directions. Resolve any off axis forces into components, but do not draw the components on the free
body diagram above. Record these expressions in the table below.

F x : sin max = W F y : cos max = W

Use the two expressions to calculate a maximum value for the angle of the inclined plane that can safely
hold the mug. Show work in the space below and estimate an error in the derived value.
max = 23.7 estimated error in max = 1.7
Work:

1. Test the mug on the inclined plane and describe your results below. How accurate was the
estimate of max ?
The estimated maximum angle was very close to the actual angle the table was tilted before the mug
began to slide off.

2. How would the slow addition of fluid to the mug affect its stability on the inclined plane? Explain.

The slow addition of fluid would probably increase the weight of the mug and make it less likely to slide off
the table at the predicted angle.

3. What additional factors would need to considered to determine whether a mug would be safe on
a slanted dashboard of a moving vehicle?
Air resistance and the speed of the moving vehicle.