Lab 6: Atwood Machine

Step 1: Place 10 grams on the M1 hanger and place 15 grams on the M2 hanger.
Step 2: Place M2 hanger at the top of the pulley so that M1 hanger is hanging all the way down
the pulley system. Meanwhile hold the M2 hanger at its place so the M2 hanger does not fall
down.
Step 3: Connect the atwood machine to the physics computer program that will track the data of
the acceleration of the M2 hanger coming down.
Step 4: Release M2 hanger and collect the data on the computer program from the start the M2
hanger is let go until the M2 hanger reaches its lowest point.
Step 5: Place 5 more grams on M2 hanger and repeat steps 2-4.
Step 6: Place 5 more grams on M2 hanger and repeat steps 2-4.
Step 7: Keep repeating prior steps with increments of 5 grams on M2 hanger until the final mass
of M2 is 50 grams.
Step 8: Use balancing forces to get the equation a=-g(m1-m2)/(m1+m2)

Mass of M1 Mass of M2 Acceleration Data Acceleration

hanger (g) hanger (g) (m/s^2) based on
Equation (m/s^2)

Trial 1 10 15 2.0

Trial 2 10 20 3.3

Triall 3 10 25 4.2

Trail 4 10 30 4.9

Trial 5 10 35 5.4

Trial 6 10 40 5.9

Trial 7 10 45 6.2

Trial 8 10 50 6.5