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Mastering Physics - Kinematics Lab
Mastering Physics - Kinematics Lab
First, launch the video below. You will be asked to use your knowledge of physics to predict the outcome of an experiment. Then, close the video window and answer the questions at right. You can watch the video again at any point.
Part A
Consider the video demonstration that you just watched. Which of the following changes could potentially allow the ball on the straight inclined (yellow) track to win? Ignore air resistance. Select all that apply.
Correct
If the yellow track were tilted steeply enough, its ball could win. How might you go about calculating the necessary change in tilt?
Part A
Click Play and see what happens on the graph and on the dial as the ball rolls down the plane. How can you use the graph of velocity versus time to estimate the acceleration of the ball?
Correct
Part B
Try changing the Angle of Incline. Then click Play to see how the change affects the graph and the dial. How does the acceleration of the ball change as the angle of the inclined plane increases?
Correct
Part C
Try changing the Angle of Incline. Then click Play to see how the change affects the graph and the dial. As the angle of the inclined plane increases, how does the final speed attained by the ball at the bottom of the inclined plane change?
Correct
Part D
Try changing the Angle of Incline. Then click Play to see how the change affects the graph and the dial. Why does the final speed attained by the ball at the bottom of the inclined plane change in the way that it does when the angle of the incline plane increases?
by the ball change? ANSWER: The ball accelerates at the same rate for a longer duration of time. The ball travels a greater distance in the same duration of time. The ball accelerates at a greater rate for the same duration of time.
Correct
Part E
How does the distance traveled by the ball in the first half second compare with the distance traveled by the ball in the second half second?
Correct
Part F
Why does the distance traveled by the ball in each half second after it is released change in the way that it does?
The incline plane pushes up on the ball, so it accelerates down at a steady rate. Gravity is pulling down on the ball, so it moves down at a steady speed. Gravity is pulling down on the ball, so it accelerates down at a steady rate.
Correct
Part A
Use the Initial velocity slider to set the initial velocity of the launch, and then click Play. How does the maximum height achieved by a ball change when the initial velocity at which it is thrown upward is increased?
Correct
Part B
After the ball is thrown upward, it eventually turns back downward, passing through the zero line (the horizontal axis on the graph). How does the time the ball takes to return to the zero level change when the initial velocity of the ball is increased?
Correct
Part C
How does the velocity of the ball at the maximum height change when the initial velocity at which it is thrown upward is increased?
Correct
Part D
What is the value of the velocity of the ball when it reaches its maximum height?
doing. ANSWER: It is always positive. It is either positive or negative, depending on the initial velocity. It is always negative. It is always zero.
Correct
Part E
How does the acceleration of the ball change when the velocity at which it is thrown upward is increased? (Note: the acceleration graph is shown in red.)
Correct
Part F
What is the acceleration of the ball when it is moving up, when it is at the maximum height, and when it is moving down? (Note: The acceleration graph is shown in red.)
It is always negative. It is always zero. The acceleration is positive when the ball is moving up, zero at the top, and negative when the ball is moving down. The acceleration is negative when the ball is moving up, zero at the top, and positive when the ball is moving down. It is always positive.
Correct
Correct answer! In fact, the acceleration due to gravity is always 10 m/s 2 downward. In other words, it is -10 m/s 2.
Part A
In the video, Dr. Hewitt drops a book and a flat piece of paper together from the same height. Which object that hits the ground first?
ANSWER: The book and paper hit the ground at the same time. The book hits the ground first. The paper hits the ground first.
Correct
Part B
In the video, Dr. Hewitt drops a book and a flat piece of paper together from the same height, and one object hits the ground before the other. Why does that object hit the ground first?
Correct
Part C
When Dr. Hewitt drops a book and a crumpled piece of paper together from the same height, which one hits the ground first?
They both hit the ground at the same time. The crumpled paper hits the ground first. The book hits the ground first.
Correct
Part D
When Dr. Hewitt drops a book and a crumpled piece of paper together from the same height, which object hits the ground first, and why?
Correct
Part E
Based on the experiment that Dr. Hewitt demonstrated in the video, what factors determine whether the air resistance experienced by a falling object will affect the motion of the object?
Hint 1.
Compare the two situations: one involving the flat sheet of paper and the other involving the crumpled paper. What is different about those two situations? ANSWER:
The area of the object in relation to the weight of the object determines the air resistance the object experiences. Objects having greater area but smaller weight experience greater effect of air resistance. The area of the object alone determines whether the air resistance it experiences will have a greater effect on the motion. Objects having smaller area experience greater air resistance. The weight of the object alone determines whether the air resistance it experiences will have a greater effect on the motion. Heavier objects experience greater effects due to air resistance on their motion.
Correct