E102 - Kinematics

Sakilan, Anizza Marie D.

PHY10L/A6
CE/2

1. INTRODUCTION
Kinematics is a study of motion without considering its cause. The objectives of this experiment is to
determine the motion of an object in a straight line and its motion due to gravity.
2. METHODOLOGY
A dynamics track and cart are the main equipment in this experiment. On part A, the time traveled by the
cart is calculated using a smart timer and two photogates. On part B, the acceleration of the cart is calculated
using the same equipment. Compared to part A, the track is positioned at a certain angle. On part C, the
picket fence is dropped through a photogate to measure its acceleration due to gravity. Each part is repeated
5 times.
3. DATA AND RESULTS
After doing all trials of this experiment, the results are obtained. On part A, the time traveled by the cart
ranges from 0.6188 seconds up to 1.2805 seconds. On part B, the acceleration of the cart ranges from 38.4
cm/s2 up to 148 cm/s2. On part C, the obtained acceleration of the picket fence ranges from 968.2 cm/s 2 to
999.1 cm/s2.
4. ANALYSIS
This experiment studies the motion of an object in a straight line and its motion due to gravity. The first
part of the experiment represent the movement of an object along the x-axis. Based from the results, the
cart slows down as the position of the second photogate goes farther. Therefore, the relationship of the
cart’s displacement to its time interval is directly proportional. The second part of the experiment represents
the motion of an object with respect to gravity. Based from the data gathered, the acceleration of the cart
increases as the track’s height of inclination increases. As the track leans on to the stand, the cart will
accelerate faster. This happens because the weight of the cart pulls itself downward. On the last part, the
results are close to the value of the gravitational constant which is 980 cm/s2. Since the object is dropped
freely, its acceleration is equal to the earth’s gravitational pull. After performing the experiment, it can be
deduced an object that moves due to gravity will have a higher acceleration.