PASCO
MAIN PROCEDURE
   
In this experiment, students analyze the relationship between the angle of an incline and the Normal and Parallel forces of an object on the incline. In addition, using parallel force and acceleration data at different inclines, students derive Newton's Second Law.
 
Data/Analysis Table:

Angle
(Degrees)

Parallel Force
(N)

Normal Force
(N)

Acceleration
(m/s2)

Vector Sum
(N)

0
        
5
        
10
        
15
        
20
        
25
        
30
        
35
        
40
        
45
        
50
        
55
        

Part 1: Finding the Parallel and Normal Forces
  1. Press the Start Button in DataStudio.
  2. Observe the Parallel and Normal Force digits display windows. Gently pull on each of the hooks of the Force Sensors to determine the identity of each display (either Parallel or Normal).
  3. Enter the value of the Parallel and Normal forces into the Data Table.
  4. Lift the end of the track until the Angle Indicator reads 5 degrees.
  5. Adjust the string and car so that the car remains parallel to the track and so that it does not contact the track.
  6. Enter the value of the Parallel and Normal forces into the Data Table.
  7. Repeat steps 4-6 until the Data/Analysis Table is completed.
  8. Press the Start Button in DataStudio.
Return to the Setup Page for Part 2 ( PASPORT | ScienceWorkshop ) of the experiment.

Part 2: Finding the Accelerations
  1. Making sure the track is level, place the PAScar 20 cm from the Motion Sensor.
  2. Simultaneously press the Start Button in DataStudio and release the PAScar.
  3. After several seconds, press the Stop button in DataStudio.
  4. Using the "Fit-Linear" button at the top of the graph, determine the slope of the Velocity-Time graph.
  5. Enter this value into the Data/Analysis table.
  6. Adjust the track to 5 degrees.
  7. Place the PAScar 20 cm from the Motion Sensor.
  8. Simultaneously press the Start Button in DataStudio and release the PAScar.
  9. Press the Stop button in DataStudio after the PAScar reaches the bottom of the track.
  10. Use the cursor to highlight just the section of the graph where the PAScar was going down the track.
  11. Using the "Fit-Linear" button at the top of the graph, determine the slope of this section of the Velocity-Time graph.
  12. Enter this value into the Data/Analysis table.
  13. Repeat steps 6-12 until the Data/Analysis table is filled.
  14. Using a balance, find the mass of the PAScar.
DataStudio
Graphing the Forces
  1. Minimize the Velocity v Time Graph.
  2. Calculate the Vector Sum of the Parallel and Normal forces.
  3. Enter the values into the Data/Analysis Table.
  4. Open the "Parallel," "Normal," and "Vector Sum" data tables in DataStudio. Transcribe the values in the Data/Analysis table above into the DataStudio data tables.
  5. Minimize the "Parallel," "Normal," and "Vector Sum" data tables in DataStudio.
  6. Open the Force-Angle graph. According to your instructor's directions, print out or sketch the Force-Angle graph.
Graphing the Acceleration versus the Parallel Force
  1. Minimize the Force-Angle graph.
  2. Open the "Para. Force-Acceleration" data table in DataStudio.
  3. Transcribe the parallel force and acceleration values in the Data/Analysis table above into the DataStudio data table.
  4. Open the "Para. Force-Acceleration" graph in DataStudio.
  5. Using the Fit-Linear button, determine the slope of the graph.
Sin(Angle) v Parallel Force
  1. Open the Sin(Angle)-ParallelForce data table in DataStudio.
  2. Calculate the sine of each angle from the lab and enter them into the data table.
  3. Enter the corresponding ParallelForces into the data table.
  4. Open the Sin(Angle)-ParallelForce graph in DataStudio.
  5. Using the Fit-Linear button, determine the slope of the graph.
Cos(Angle) v Normal Force
  1. Open the Cos(Angle)-Normal Force data table in DataStudio.
  2. Calculate the cosine of each angle from the lab and enter them into the data table.
  3. Enter the corresponding Normal Forces into the data table.
  4. Open the Cos(Angle)-Normal Force graph in DataStudio.
  5. Using the Fit-Linear button, determine the slope of the graph.
Part 1
  1. Choose one of the non-zero angles from part 1 of the lab. Draw a quantitative force diagram for the car at this angle.
  2. Explain why it is important in Part 1 of this lab for the car to NOT have contact with the track.
  3. Draw another quantitative force diagram for car at the same angle that includes all of the horizontal and vertical components.
  4. Write Newton's 2nd law for both the "Parallel" and "Normal" directions.
  5. Observe the Force-Angle graph. Write an equation that relates the parallel force, the perpendicular force, and the Vector Sum.
  6. What is the physical meaning of the vector sum?
Part 2
  1. Choose one of the non-zero angles from part 2 of the lab. Draw a quantitative force diagram for the car at this angle.
  2. Draw another quantitative force diagram for car at the same angle that includes all of the horizontal and vertical components.
  3. Write Newton's 2nd law for both the "Parallel" and "Normal" directions.
  4. Which force(s) determine(s) the acceleration of the PAScar?
  5. What is the physical meaning of the slope of Force-Acceleration graph?
  6. Write a linear (y = mx +b) equation for the Force-Acceleration graph.
Extension Questions
  1. What is the physical meaning of the Sin(Angle)-ParallelForce graph?
  2. Write a linear (y = mx +b) equation for the Sin(Angle)-ParallelForce graph.
  3. What is the physical meaning of the Cos(Angle)-Normal Force graph?
  4. Write a linear (y = mx +b) equation for the Cos(Angle)-Normal Force graph.