Introduction to Forces

Lab #4
Stanley Wang, Xi Xu, Leo Lai

2/6/18
Scientific Question
What acceleration affects the long jumper in the vertical direction
while they’re in air, and what’s the magnitude of that acceleration?
Prediction
Vertical acceleration should remain constant at the gravitational
acceleration of -9.8 m/s^2. The reason is that the force of gravity is
the only external force affecting the person during the jump.
Experimental Equipment

● Force sensor (calibrated to x-y axis)

● PASCO video software
● Person to perform long jump
Experimental Procedures

● Calibrate force sensor on PASCO

● Having one person hold the force sensor which is oriented correctly
to the x, y and z-axis while doing a long jump to record acceleration
during the jump
● Plot vertical acceleration and velocity vs. time on PASCO using the
data from the force sensor
Results
Our tracker data yielded us with acceleration data that averages -7.5 m/s^2 in the
vertical direction. Analysis of the acceleration data from the force sensor
provided us with acceleration data that averages -8.1 m/s^2. The tracker data
and force sensor data are pretty close and suggest that there is constant vertical
acceleration of roughly -7.8 m/s^2.
Acceleration Data from Force Sensor:
Acceleration vs. Time Graph

Average m/s^2 = -8.1 m/s^2

(usable points are in between

the two red bars)

Slope = acceleration
= -7.5 m/s^2
Analysis
Error and inconsistency in the results for vertical acceleration vs. time
can be accounted for by sporadic movements of the force sensor due
to instability caused by shaking during the impact of landing.
Furthermore, a clear track could not be established in the long jump
due to the the long jumper’s bodily movement during the jump. As a
result the experimental acceleration value turned out to be higher
than the predicted -9.8 m/s^2. This problem can be alleviated by
tracking a more stable point of the body for the tracker and binding
the force sensor to a more stable point of the body so sporadic bodily
movements can be mitigated.
Future Steps
Another question that can be investigated in future experiments is
whether altering the angle of the jump affects the acceleration in the
vertical direction. This question can be tested by performing the same
experiment procedures for several different angles of jump, such as
45 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees.