Lab 3: The Measurement of “g” using an Atwood’s Machine

Laboratory Objective Determine “g” by using an Atwood Machine

Educational Objective Compare two different techniques for

measuring the same physical quantity.

Type: Cookbook

Introduction

This lab uses a simple but useful device called an Atwood’s machine. An Atwood
device is a pulley or system of pulleys that allows you to use a counterweight to slow the
acceleration of another object

Figure 1: Our Atwood's Machine

If the mass of m2 is greater than that of m1 then m2 will fall and m1 will rise. Assuming
that the string connecting the masses cannot stretch, then the magnitude of acceleration of
m1 equals the magnitude of acceleration of m2. Further assume that the pulleys are
massless, frictionless, and the string is massless, then the tension along the string is the
same throughout. Use this information and Newton’s second law, one can derive the
downward acceleration of m2 and it is given by:
a=
(m2 ! m1) g Eq.1
(m1 + m2)
(You should derive this result yourselves.) We will use this equation to determine g by
measuring a, m1, and m2.
Procedure

Although Eq. 1 indicates that the acceleration a is constant; this is the result for an
ideal situation. In real situations, there are friction between the string and the pulley. If
the string is uneven, the acceleration may not be constant due to non-constant friction.
Nevertheless, we will assume that the acceleration on our blocks is constant from the
instant we let them go then the equation for the position is given by
1
x = x 0 + v 0 t + at 2 Eq.2
2
Let the initial position be x0=0 and the initial velocity be v0=0. Rearrange the terms to
find
2x
! a= 2 Eq.3
t
So if you measure the amount of time “t” it takes m2 to fall a set distance “x” then you
know the acceleration of your block. That is, if the acceleration is constant then we
can deduce the acceleration by using a stopwatch to measure the time interval and a
meter stick to measure the distance.
Note: You must start the time and the distance measurements as soon as the mass
starts to fall. If the mass picks up an initial velocity at your starting point, then the
acceleration a is NOT given by Eq. 3. (What is the modified equation if v0=/= 0?)
What if the acceleration is not constant over the entire length of the fall? For
example, maybe the pulleys have a tendency to “stick” when the Atwood machine first
starts to move. If you recorded your trials with a video camera you could analyze
your data and better understand how the Atwood machine actually functions. You
would essentially be able to test your fundamental assumption. We are going to
measure the acceleration using the camcorder method as well as the stopwatch
method and we will compare the results.

Assemble and align your Atwood device. The two pulleys can be aligned with each other
on a flat surface; you can use the masses on string as a plum bob to align the two pulleys
with the vertical.
1. Select m1 and m2 so that you can easily time the fall of masses over about ½ of a
meter. For example choose m1and m2 such that it takes 10 seconds for the mass to
travel over 0.5 meter. Use Eq.1 and Eq. 3 to help to decide on the values of the
masses and then refine their values by doing couple trials. Measure the masses using
the precision electronic scale. Finally, measure/estimate the mass of the string ann
compare to the sum of two hanging masses. Is it significant?
2. Pick a standard distance for your masses to fall and measure how long it takes for the
masses, starting at rest, to travel that distance. Pick a standard distance (i.e, initial
configuration) that is both easy to see on the camera AND is easy to repeatedly set as
your initial distance. That is, don’t pick “halfway between the pulley and the floor”
and set the endpoint out of the frame.
3. Using your techniques from the previous week, set up your camera so that you can
record each trial. One student should also be ready with a stopwatch to record the
time of fall in the “traditional” way. Note: Since the camcorder frame rate is 30
frames per second, you will have 300 frames for 10 seconds! It will take a long
 time to measure all 300 points. Furthermore, because of (static) friction, the
beginning part of the motion may have a smaller acceleration than the
theoretical value. So, I suggest that you make 3 copies of the your raw movie
files. Use the Capture program to crop the movie and prepare 3 movie files, one
contains the first 30 frames of motion, one contains the middle 30 frames of
motion and one contains the last 30 frames of motion. Compare the values of
acceleration deduced from these 3 movies and see if they are the same or not.
That is, you want to verify whether constant acceleration is a valid assumption.
4. Do a few preliminary trials to refine your procedures. Are the results “repeatable”?
Do a quick calculation for a (from your stopwatch measurements) and then calculate
g to see if you are on the right ballpark. Are your procedures consistent with your
assumptions?
5. After you are satisfied with your procedures, take at least five measurements and
determine the average value of “g” with uncertainty using the stopwatch. Remember
to propagate error (note: human reaction time is roughly 1/10th of a second). How
does this compare to the “known” value of “g”? Record each trial with the camera as
well.
6. Watch the video on the computer. Analyze each trial in sections; I suggest that you
carefully examine and fit the first few moments after the mass is let go (say, the first
30 frames) as well as the last moments (perhaps the final 30 frames). Is the initial
acceleration the same as the final acceleration? If there is a time interval during
which the acceleration is constant, use that acceleration in Eq.1 to find g.
7. If time allows, repeat the experiment with a different mass combination.

Note: You should be able to finish experiment in one lab period. If you don’t, we
will set aside some portion of the next lab period for you to finish.

Note: You should discuss with you lab partner(s) about how to carry out procedures
and plan your steps before you begin.