Physics Lab Station: Mechanics Extension
Labs for the Physics Lab Station Mechanics Extension bundle.
Grade Level: Advanced Placement • High School
Subject: Physics
Activities
01) Atwood's Machine
Students use a photogate and pulley system to determine the mathematical relationship between the acceleration of an Atwood’s machine, the difference between its two masses, and the sum of those two masses.
02) Two-Dimensional Motion: Projectiles
Students use a photogate and mini launcher to measure the variables that affect the two-dimensional motion of a projectile launched horizontally, and then use those variables to accurately predict and test the projectile's horizontal range.
03) Conservation of Momentum
Students use two Smart Carts and a dynamics system to demonstrate that linear momentum and kinetic energy are conserved in an elastic collision, and linear momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not conserved in an inelastic collision.
04) Momentum and Explosions
How is the total momentum of a two-object system affected by an explosion? Experimentally determine if linear momentum is conserved in a system that experiences an explosion.
05) Simple Pendulum
Students use a photogate and pendulum to determine the physical properties of a simple pendulum that affect its period, and then use their data to support a mathematical model relating period to pendulum arm length.
06) Gravitational Torque
Students set up various systems to learn about gravitational torque and center of mass. They find the mass of an object, determine the mass of a meter stick, predict the location of a mass to balance an off-center meter stick, and locate the center of mass of an irregular object.
07) Exploring Torque
Students explore the concepts associated with torque and balance using the Meter Stick Torque Set. They develop the mathematical relationship between the force vector and the position vector by making predictions and testing them.
08) Exploring a Rotating System
Students construct and collect data with an experimental system to determine angular velocity, angular acceleration, applied torque, and the rotational inertia of the meter stick component.
