An Experiment on Equation of Motion - Lab Report Example

Experiment: Equation of motion Name: Course: Lecturer: Institution: City & State: Date: Experiment: Equation of motion Introduction In this experiment, involves a remote control car to calculate the distance covered within a given time taken using a timer. Ordinarily, experiments assist students in the calculations and applications of the laws of motion. In this experiment, the time taken to cover 2 meters needs repetition to determine the average period that the remote car may take to determine the speed of the car. In this experiment, energy used involves calculations, which may be determined for different masses and different experiments of the same type (Brehmer, et al. 2004). In addition, from these experiments, it is easy to determine the speed of a given mass at a given time and distance. It is essential when dealing with the motion to keep checking on the calculations pertaining motion. This way, such investigation describes how to measure motion using other experimental setups (Cassidy, 2002). A remote controlled car moving along a straight line gives a reasonable motion that produces speed calculated against time taken to cover a given distance (2m for this experiment). This study is usable when describing the equations of motion. Usually, a remote control car produces motion when moving along the designated line/path from which time taken against the distance covered by the car. The motion generated by the remote car is constant and decelerates when the remote control car is about to stop, which is a regular motion along the path. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a number of quantities that relate to the speed of remote controlled car along the path. These quantities include mass of the car, which is usually directly proportional to the speed. If the mass increases, the car will tend to have dragged force due to its own weight. The other factor to consider is friction of the floor/surface the car is moving on. Therefore, ensure that the surface of the experiment does not have any obstacles that may reduce speed. In general, these factors affect the state, velocity, energy and acceleration of the car. Therefore, when considering the experiment these factors should be neglected or carry out the experiment in an area free from the obstacles. In most cases, such considerations would help in the application of the equation of motion for get easier way to determine the necessary equation and the related factors that link with the equation (Tolman, 2004). Literature Review A remote controlled car usually starts with a thrust. Therefore, it is exceedingly hard to have time delays when releasing the car at the start point. In essence, determination of motion using a remote controlled car in a straight line involves two points, the start point and the finish point (Holzner, 2011). Once you know the start and the finish points, it is easy to determine the time that the car would take to cover the distance from the origin along a straight line to the finish point. From this, it is observable that the path taken by the car has only one coordinate because it only moves in a straight line. Assuming that, the remote controlled car moves freely without resistance, it takes a direction as shown in fig 1. Figure 1: the flat foam used by the remote car At point x= 2m from the origin is the point at which the period taken to cover the required distance for determination of speed. So, one is able to calculate the speed using the equations of motion given as: …………………………………………….. (i) From the above equation, it is possible to calculate the speed of the remote controlled car in the relation below: ……………………………………… (ii) Considering that the value of  is zero since the car accelerates from origin at zero speed to a maximum at the finish point. Thus, from the above equation for velocity, of the car becomes ……………………………………………… (iii) Where: S = displacement in (m) = average time (s) = the final velocity (m/s) = the initial speed of the car Equipment The equipment required for the experiment include 1. Meter measure (2 meters long) for measuring the distance of the path covered by the remote car 2. Remote control car for determining the speed and distance 3. Timer for checking the time taken to cover the distance by the remote car Experimental procedures (methodology) The experiment involves the use of a number of steps, which include the following. First, when planning to carry out the experiment, you need to have the equipment ready. This is to ensure that, if you have started working on the experiment you will not have any interruptions to ensure smooth running of the experiment. Secondly, select the appropriate region where you need to work on when conducting the experiment. The surface should be clean from obstacles, and without friction. This surface can be a table or floor. Having secured the right place for your experiment, mark two points on the bench using the meter measure, that is, the origin and the finish line. Next, place the remote controlled car at the origin line when it is off. With the help of the timer, ensure that the timer is at time, 0:00:00 then start the experiment. To start with, start the timer and car at the same time. When the car crosses the 2m line at the finish point stop the timer and record the reading as trial 1. Repeat the whole procedure for six trials and record time for each trial. After all the trials are complete, find the average time for the remote control car for the six trials. Average time is as follows, When arranged on the bench the equipment should appear as follows: The above figure 2 is a setup of equipment for the experiment based on the arrangement from the start line to the finish line. Calculations and Graphical data After the trials are complete, the results were as follows. Table Results Trial Time (s) 1 1.3 2 1.4 3 1.4 4 1.2 5 1.3 6 1.4 Calculations Distance = 2m Average time (t) = 1.31666 s Initial speed = 0 Speed or velocity =  The graphical analysis of the above data is as shown below. From the above analysis, while keeping other quantities constant the period for trial1 and trial, two were different. In trials 3 to 6 the time taken is different since there are errors in timing and starting of the remote controlled car. Data analysis From the analyses shown in the data, there are several factors that may have caused the deviation of the recorded data, which shows differences in time taken in trials 1 and 2, 3 and 4 while the distance covered is the same. These factors include resistance due to air drag, friction of the floor, and human error when timing. From the graph above, it is a straight line along the trial axis. This is because the numbers of trials have different time records. Plotting a graph of time against displacement, it should give a straight line that cut the X and Y-axis at zero, such that the gradient of the line is the velocity of the car. Instead, the above graph gives a regression of the data. Therefore, the results obtained do not fit in the straight line since there are errors associated with the data recording when timing the car amongst other factors affecting the car along the path. When one applies the theoretical calculations, it is easy to achieve the exact velocity of the remote controlled cars at that position and average time. Discussion The idea developed for the application of motion as described using remote controlled car gives the basics needed when determining the equations of motion for a particular direction. For example, when remote controlled car starts to accelerate, distance covered is directly proportional to the time required at that time. Therefore, it is easy to calculate the velocity of the car. Displacing and releasing car from rest, it accelerates to a maximum speed that enables it to cover the given distance. Therefore, from the resting equilibrium position, the car to enable it move along the straight line generates a force. This force acts against the direction of the air, which the car has to overcome when released. When the car propels through the resistive force of the air until the finish point these factors, need consideration. The distance covered by the car depends solely on the timing of the car and stopping the remote control at the exact point to avoid mistakes. The period taken to cover the given distance, depend solely on the length of the path from the fixed point. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the car is at the exact position to avoid complications, the right path length allows the car to move freely gain the required time for proper timing. Conclusion Many experimental procedures involve trials to ensure that the data obtained is clear enough to give the student confidence when submitting the results to do the analysis. In essence, different trials in this experiment show that, despite the presence of the factors affecting the timing, the time recorded is almost equal, since the average time is equal to the given time obtained (Raymond, et al. 2011). Therefore, if there were no errors, then the average time for the experiment would equal to a single trial. The differences that occur in the data does not affect the plotting of the time and the number of trials; this is because as the trials changes so does the time. It is clear for this experiment that, Newton’s second law of motion is applicable. Thus, speed calculated is directly proportional to the distance covered by the car keeping other factors constant and negligible. Amongst these factors are human the drag force of the air, and coefficient of friction of the bench. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the accuracy when recording the data from the experiment. This helps to control the amount of error that may be available from the recording of data and one may be able to get desirable results from the References Brehmer,  S. et al. (2004) AP Physics B & C (REA) 5th Edition - The Best Test Prep, New Jersey: Research & Education Assoc. Cassidy, C.D. (2002) Understanding physics, Basel: Birkhäuser. Holzner, S. (2011) Physics I For Dummies, New York: John Wiley & Sons. Raymond A. S. et al. (2011) College Physics, Volume 1, New York: Cengage Learning Tolman, R. C. (2004) The Theory of the Relativity of Motion, New York: Courier Dover Publications. Read More

Figure 1: the flat foam used by the remote car At point x= 2m from the origin is the point at which the period taken to cover the required distance for determination of speed. So, one is able to calculate the speed using the equations of motion given as: …………………………………………….. (i) From the above equation, it is possible to calculate the speed of the remote controlled car in the relation below: ……………………………………… (ii) Considering that the value of  is zero since the car accelerates from origin at zero speed to a maximum at the finish point.

Thus, from the above equation for velocity, of the car becomes ……………………………………………… (iii) Where: S = displacement in (m) = average time (s) = the final velocity (m/s) = the initial speed of the car Equipment The equipment required for the experiment include 1. Meter measure (2 meters long) for measuring the distance of the path covered by the remote car 2. Remote control car for determining the speed and distance 3. Timer for checking the time taken to cover the distance by the remote car Experimental procedures (methodology) The experiment involves the use of a number of steps, which include the following.

First, when planning to carry out the experiment, you need to have the equipment ready. This is to ensure that, if you have started working on the experiment you will not have any interruptions to ensure smooth running of the experiment. Secondly, select the appropriate region where you need to work on when conducting the experiment. The surface should be clean from obstacles, and without friction. This surface can be a table or floor. Having secured the right place for your experiment, mark two points on the bench using the meter measure, that is, the origin and the finish line.

Next, place the remote controlled car at the origin line when it is off. With the help of the timer, ensure that the timer is at time, 0:00:00 then start the experiment. To start with, start the timer and car at the same time. When the car crosses the 2m line at the finish point stop the timer and record the reading as trial 1. Repeat the whole procedure for six trials and record time for each trial. After all the trials are complete, find the average time for the remote control car for the six trials.

Average time is as follows, When arranged on the bench the equipment should appear as follows: The above figure 2 is a setup of equipment for the experiment based on the arrangement from the start line to the finish line. Calculations and Graphical data After the trials are complete, the results were as follows. Table Results Trial Time (s) 1 1.3 2 1.4 3 1.4 4 1.2 5 1.3 6 1.4 Calculations Distance = 2m Average time (t) = 1.31666 s Initial speed = 0 Speed or velocity =  The graphical analysis of the above data is as shown below.

From the above analysis, while keeping other quantities constant the period for trial1 and trial, two were different. In trials 3 to 6 the time taken is different since there are errors in timing and starting of the remote controlled car. Data analysis From the analyses shown in the data, there are several factors that may have caused the deviation of the recorded data, which shows differences in time taken in trials 1 and 2, 3 and 4 while the distance covered is the same. These factors include resistance due to air drag, friction of the floor, and human error when timing.

From the graph above, it is a straight line along the trial axis. This is because the numbers of trials have different time records. Plotting a graph of time against displacement, it should give a straight line that cut the X and Y-axis at zero, such that the gradient of the line is the velocity of the car. Instead, the above graph gives a regression of the data. Therefore, the results obtained do not fit in the straight line since there are errors associated with the data recording when timing the car amongst other factors affecting the car along the path.

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