Arun Thind 4MJM Physics

Trolley Experiment Analysis

Objective
The objective of the experiment was to find out how the speed of the trolley changed when moving down a slope.

Method
To set up this experiment we set up a slope on a desk using a wooden plank held up at one end with a couple of textbooks. We then used a motion sensor connected to a computer to record how far away the trolley at very short intervals electronically to form a graph on the computer for the trolley of distance away from the motion sensor against time when we rolled the trolley down the slope. To help the motion sensor sense the trolley, we attached a cardboard square to the back of the trolley so that the ultra sound beams emitted from the motion sensor would be reflected back. We then printed the graph so we could then begin to analyze it.

Evaluation
The experiment was good because very little went wrong and it was well done. The wooden plank was smooth so the trolley could run across it with even friction throughout the course of its movement so that didnt affect the results of the experiment very much. The trolleys wheels were also smooth and round so possible uneven friction would not affect the results of the experiment. However, there were a few improvements that could be made to this experiment. Some of the cardboard cut outs were bent and so the distances recorded by the motion sensor were not entirely accurate, so an improvement could be to make sure each cardboard cut out was completely straight or get a sturdier material of the same weight because a heavier material to reflect the ultra sound beams such as metal might also affect the balance of the trolley and therefore affect the results. Another improvement that could be made to this experiment is to change the method in which we prop one end of the wooden plank up to make a slope. The current method of doing this is to put a couple of books under one end of the plank. The problem with this method is that the surface of the books may be uneven or the position of the books might not be in the centre of the plank.

Conclusion
The graph has a gradient, which continues to get steeper; this shows that the speed of the trolley continued to increase throughout the experiment. We can conclude that on a slope, the trolley continues to build up speed as shown on the graph.