Report for Experiment #7

Work and Energy on an Air Track

Meghan Lumnah
TA: Liam Price
27 May 2020

Abstract

In this experiment, we studied work and energy in a horizontal motion, on an inclined plane, and
in a horizontal motion of a glider connected to a hanging weight. In Investigation 1, a glider traveled
down an inclined air track, and its position was measured as it traveled up and down the track. The
velocities squared and average positions were calculated, along with their errors, and then plotted on a
graph in two separate series. Using their slopes, an average g was found to be 8.597 m/s 2 with a percent
error of 6.22% from the actual acceleration due to gravity. In Investigation 2, the glider traveled along a
horizontal track, while connected to a hanging weight. The velocities squared and the average positions
were again calculated and plotted in two series. The slopes were used to find g at 9.805 m/s 2, with a
percent error of 0.05% from the actual acceleration due to gravity.
Introduction

In this experiment, we will study motion in the horizontal, along an inclined plane, and the horizontal
motion of a glider connected to a hanging weight, examining the validity of the relationship between
work and energy. We will do so by utilizing the fact that constant, linear acceleration, v 2 is directly
proportional to position.

According to the work-energy theorem, the total work done by the forces acting on an object in
motion form point i to point f is equal to the change in kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is given by:

1
K= m v 2
2

Through the work-energy theorem, the W done on a object by a constant force is found by:

W =F x ∆ x

Since W is equal to the change in kinetic energy, we can find that:

1 2 1 2
F x ∆ x = mv f − mv i
2 2

Using this information, we can determine the final velocity of motion along an inclined plane. Using its
force on the mass due to gravity and the work energy theorem:

v 2=2 g sin θ ( x−x 0 )

The horizontal motion along a glider connected by means of a cord and pulley arrangement to a
vertically hanging weight of mass m’ also is impacted by T in the cord. Using substitution of equations
along with the work-energy theorem, the velocity can be found by:

2 m' g
v 2= (x−x 0 )
m+m '

In Investigation 1, a glider is set on an inclined track, and its motion is studied through its velocity
and position, and then using the above equations to solve for g, the experiment is be used to test the
validity of the work-energy theorem. The theorem is again put to the test when in Investigation 2, the
glider travels across a horizontal path while connected to a hanging weight. Again the velocity and
position is measured to determine a value for g.

Investigation 1

Investigation 1 required a linear air track with a glider, a PASCO PASPort USB Link and Motion Sensor,
and a small block. To begin, the air source for the air track was turned on, allowing the glider to move
freely on the track. Next, the leveled track has one leg placed on a wooden block. The measurement of the
block was found to be 0.032 meters. In addition, the. distance between the legs on the track was
measured, and came out to be 1.00 ± 0.002 m. The PASCO Capstone on the computer is then
activated, with the first column of the table was labeled time (t), and was set equal to the x-axis, while the
second column of the table was labeled position (m). The final setup portion was to set the motion
sensor’s Default Sample Rate to 20 Hz.

The next step was to slide the glider 20 cm away from the motion sensor, and the press record and
release the glider. The glider would then travel down the length of the air track before traveling back
upwards, and then repeating that motion multiple times. The sensor would take note of the position of the
glider every 0.05 seconds. The computer will then collect all the data by time and position for analysis.

First, we plotted the position vs. time for all the data collected.

Figure 1:

Position versus TIme

1.4

1.2

1
Position (m)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
TIme

Next, we determined the two maximum points on the graph, where the direction of the data changes.
These points are the times of the consecutive collisions of the glider with the base of the track. Using
these two points, we make a second table with all the data in between these two times, but not including
the time that those collisions occurred. Next, the average velocity was calculated between subsequent
points using the following equation:

x n+ 1−x n
v=
Δt

Next, velocity2 was calculated between subsequent points. To calculate the error in the velocity 2, the
following equation was used:

δ v 2= √ 8 v 2 ( δxΔt )
Where δx was equal to 0.0005, because the absolute errors are half the smallest measurable unit.
Next, the average position between adjacent points were found using the following equation:
 x n+1 + x n
x avg=
2

The error for this calculation was also found using the following equation:

σ
δ x avg=
√n
Where σ is the standard deviation of two subsequent positions and n is equal to 2.

Table 1:

h (block) 0.032m
m (glider) 377.3 g
m (lead
weight) 31.0 g
distance 1m 0.002m

time position velocity velocity^2 avg std.

(sec) (m) (m/s) (m/s)^2 δv^2 position deviation δx(avg)
2.75 1.196 -0.66 0.4356 0.0187 1.180 0.0233 0.017
2.8 1.163 -0.62 0.3844 0.0175 1.148 0.0219 0.016
2.85 1.132 -0.62 0.3844 0.0175 1.117 0.0219 0.016
2.9 1.101 -0.6 0.3600 0.0170 1.086 0.0212 0.015
2.95 1.071 -0.58 0.3364 0.0164 1.057 0.0205 0.015
3 1.042 -0.58 0.3364 0.0164 1.028 0.0205 0.015
3.05 1.013 -0.56 0.3136 0.0158 0.999 0.0198 0.014
3.1 0.985 -0.52 0.2704 0.0147 0.972 0.0184 0.013
3.15 0.959 -0.52 0.2704 0.0147 0.946 0.0184 0.013
3.2 0.933 -0.48 0.2304 0.0136 0.921 0.0170 0.012
3.25 0.909 -0.48 0.2304 0.0136 0.897 0.0170 0.012
3.3 0.885 -0.48 0.2304 0.0136 0.873 0.0170 0.012
3.35 0.861 -0.42 0.1764 0.0119 0.851 0.0148 0.011
3.4 0.84 -0.44 0.1936 0.0124 0.829 0.0156 0.011
3.45 0.818 -0.4 0.1600 0.0113 0.808 0.0141 0.010
3.5 0.798 -0.4 0.1600 0.0113 0.788 0.0141 0.010
3.55 0.778 -0.38 0.1444 0.0107 0.769 0.0134 0.010
3.6 0.759 -0.32 0.1024 0.0091 0.751 0.0113 0.008
3.65 0.743 -0.34 0.1156 0.0096 0.735 0.0120 0.009
3.7 0.726 -0.34 0.1156 0.0096 0.718 0.0120 0.009
3.75 0.709 -0.3 0.0900 0.0085 0.702 0.0106 0.008
3.8 0.694 -0.28 0.0784 0.0079 0.687 0.0099 0.007
3.85 0.68 -0.26 0.0676 0.0074 0.674 0.0092 0.007
3.9 0.667 -0.26 0.0676 0.0074 0.661 0.0092 0.007
3.95 0.654 -0.22 0.0484 0.0062 0.649 0.0078 0.006
4 0.643 -0.22 0.0484 0.0062 0.638 0.0078 0.006
4.05 0.632 -0.18 0.0324 0.0051 0.628 0.0064 0.005
 4.1 0.623 -0.2 0.0400 0.0057 0.618 0.0071 0.005
4.15 0.613 -0.14 0.0196 0.0040 0.610 0.0049 0.004
4.2 0.606 -0.16 0.0256 0.0045 0.602 0.0057 0.004
4.25 0.598 -0.12 0.0144 0.0034 0.595 0.0042 0.003
4.3 0.592 -0.1 0.0100 0.0028 0.590 0.0035 0.003
4.35 0.587 -0.1 0.0100 0.0028 0.585 0.0035 0.003
4.4 0.582 -0.08 0.0064 0.0023 0.580 0.0028 0.002
4.45 0.578 -0.04 0.0016 0.0011 0.577 0.0014 0.001
4.5 0.576 -0.04 0.0016 0.0011 0.575 0.0014 0.001
4.55 0.574 0 0.0000 0.0000 0.574 0.0000 0.000
4.6 0.574 -0.02 0.0004 0.0006 0.574 0.0007 0.001
4.65 0.573 0.02 0.0004 0.0006 0.574 0.0007 0.001
4.7 0.574 0.02 0.0004 0.0006 0.575 0.0007 0.001
4.75 0.575 0.04 0.0016 0.0011 0.576 0.0014 0.001
4.8 0.577 0.06 0.0036 0.0017 0.579 0.0021 0.002
4.85 0.58 0.06 0.0036 0.0017 0.582 0.0021 0.002
4.9 0.583 0.1 0.0100 0.0028 0.586 0.0035 0.003
4.95 0.588 0.1 0.0100 0.0028 0.591 0.0035 0.003
5 0.593 0.08 0.0064 0.0023 0.595 0.0028 0.002
5.05 0.597 0.14 0.0196 0.0040 0.601 0.0049 0.004
5.1 0.604 0.12 0.0144 0.0034 0.607 0.0042 0.003
5.15 0.61 0.16 0.0256 0.0045 0.614 0.0057 0.004
5.2 0.618 0.18 0.0324 0.0051 0.623 0.0064 0.005
5.25 0.627 0.16 0.0256 0.0045 0.631 0.0057 0.004
5.3 0.635 0.2 0.0400 0.0057 0.640 0.0071 0.005
5.35 0.645 0.2 0.0400 0.0057 0.650 0.0071 0.005
5.4 0.655 0.2 0.0400 0.0057 0.660 0.0071 0.005
5.45 0.665 0.24 0.0576 0.0068 0.671 0.0085 0.006
5.5 0.677 0.26 0.0676 0.0074 0.684 0.0092 0.006
5.55 0.69 0.26 0.0676 0.0074 0.697 0.0092 0.007
5.6 0.703 0.26 0.0676 0.0074 0.710 0.0092 0.007
5.65 0.716 0.3 0.0900 0.0085 0.724 0.0106 0.008
5.7 0.731 0.3 0.0900 0.0085 0.739 0.0106 0.008
5.75 0.746 0.32 0.1024 0.0091 0.754 0.0113 0.008
5.8 0.762 0.34 0.1156 0.0096 0.771 0.0120 0.009
5.85 0.779 0.32 0.1024 0.0091 0.787 0.0113 0.008
5.9 0.795 0.36 0.1296 0.0102 0.804 0.0127 0.009
5.95 0.813 0.38 0.1444 0.0107 0.823 0.0134 0.010
6 0.832 0.38 0.1444 0.0107 0.842 0.0134 0.010
6.05 0.851 0.4 0.1600 0.0113 0.861 0.0141 0.010
6.1 0.871 0.4 0.1600 0.0113 0.881 0.0141 0.010
6.15 0.891 0.42 0.1764 0.0119 0.902 0.0148 0.011
6.2 0.912 0.46 0.2116 0.0130 0.924 0.0163 0.012
6.25 0.935 0.44 0.1936 0.0124 0.946 0.0156 0.011
6.3 0.957 0.46 0.2116 0.0130 0.969 0.0163 0.012
 6.35 0.98 0.5 0.2500 0.0141 0.993 0.0177 0.013
6.4 1.005 0.48 0.2304 0.0136 1.017 0.0170 0.012
6.45 1.029 0.5 0.2500 0.0141 1.042 0.0177 0.013
6.5 1.054 0.52 0.2704 0.0147 1.067 0.0184 0.013
6.55 1.08 0.54 0.2916 0.0153 1.094 0.0191 0.014
6.6 1.107 0.54 0.2916 0.0153 1.121 0.0191 0.014
6.65 1.134 0.56 0.3136 0.0158 1.148 0.0198 0.014
6.7 1.162 0.58 0.3364 0.0164 1.177 0.0205 0.015
6.75 1.191 0.58 0.3364 0.0164 1.206 0.0205 0.015
6.8 1.22 0.62 0.3844 0.0175 1.236 0.0219 0.016
6.85 1.251 0.0000

Following the calculations made, we plotted the velocity2 versus the average position, however, we
split it up into two different series. On the graph, we plotted velocity 2 vs average position when the glider
moved towards the motion sensor, and we plotted velocity 2 (m/s)2 vs average position when the glider
moved away from the motion sensor.

Figure 2:

f(x) = 0
Velocity2 vs. Average Position
0.45
0.4
0.35 f(x) = 0.55 x − 0.32
velocity2 (m/s)2

0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0.500 0.600 0.700 0.800 0.900 1.000 1.100 1.200 1.300
Average Position (m)

These two branches of data due not have the same slope. This is due to the change in friction when the
velocity changes direction. Based on the following equation:

v 2=Bx+ C

And since we know that:

2
v =2 gsinθ ( x−x 0 )

The slope B is equal to the following equation:

B=2 gsinθ
In order to find g, we first have to find the value of sinθ . This is found by

h
sinθ =
d

Where h is the height of the wooden block and d is the length of the track between the two legs. This
value came out to be 0.032. The error was then calculated using the following equation:

δh 2 δd 2
δsinθ
sinθ
=
√( h)( )
+
d

The error for sinθ came out to be .15. Then when solving for the experimental value for g, we did it
for both different branches of data. For moving towards the motion sensor, the g value came out to be
9.81 m/s2. When moving away from the motion sensor, the g value came out to be 8.597 m/s 2. We then
averaged the two values to get 9.20 m/s2. This value is apparently lower than the actual value of g, which
is 9.81 m/s2. This is likely due to either random error with the different measurements, or systematic
errors. Systematic errors could include the frictionless air table having some source of friction or the
motion sensor incorrectly measuring the position.

We then calculated the percentage difference between the experimental g and the known value of g
using the following equation:
 |g known−gexperimental|
% difference= x 100
gknown

The percent difference for the calculated g is 6.22%.

Investigation 2

Investigation 2 required a similar set up as Investigation 1, where the glider traveled along a
horizontal track and its position was recorded by a motion sensor. However, this time, the track was not
on an incline, and instead it was being pulled by a weight moving vertically. The mass of the weight came
out to be 31.0 g.

To begin the investigation, the glider was released from about 40 cm form the motion sensor we
pressed record and released the glider. The glider would then travel down the length of the air track before
traveling back upwards, and then repeating that motion multiple times. The sensor would take note of the
position of the glider every 0.05 seconds. The computer then collected all the data by time and position
for analysis.

First, position vs. time was plotted.

Figure 3:

position (m)
1.4

1.2

1
Position (m)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Time (sec)

Again, we found the first two maximum points on the graph, the locations where collisions occurred.
Then, we made a new table with all the data points in between those two maximums, excluding the points
of collision. Again, the average velocity was calculated between subsequent points. We also found
velocity2 and its error. The final data calculated was the average position between subsequent points,
along with that error.

Table 2:
h (block) 0.032m
m (glider) 377.3 g
m (lead
weight) 31.0 g
distance 1m 0.002m
position velocity velocity^2 avg std
time (sec) (m) (m/s) (m/s)^2 δv^2 position deviation δx(avg)
1.8 1.164 -0.78 0.608 0.022 1.1445 0.028 0.020
1.85 1.125 -0.72 0.518 0.020 1.107 0.025 0.018
1.9 1.089 -0.68 0.462 0.019 1.072 0.024 0.017
1.95 1.055 -0.66 0.436 0.019 1.0385 0.023 0.017
2 1.022 -0.6 0.360 0.017 1.007 0.021 0.015
2.05 0.992 -0.56 0.314 0.016 0.978 0.020 0.014
2.1 0.964 -0.54 0.292 0.015 0.9505 0.019 0.014
2.15 0.937 -0.48 0.230 0.014 0.925 0.017 0.012
2.2 0.913 -0.44 0.194 0.012 0.902 0.016 0.011
2.25 0.891 -0.42 0.176 0.012 0.8805 0.015 0.011
2.3 0.87 -0.36 0.130 0.010 0.861 0.013 0.009
2.35 0.852 -0.3 0.090 0.008 0.8445 0.011 0.008
2.4 0.837 -0.28 0.078 0.008 0.83 0.010 0.007
2.45 0.823 -0.24 0.058 0.007 0.817 0.008 0.006
2.5 0.811 -0.2 0.040 0.006 0.806 0.007 0.005
2.55 0.801 -0.14 0.020 0.004 0.7975 0.005 0.004
2.6 0.794 -0.14 0.020 0.004 0.7905 0.005 0.004
2.65 0.787 -0.06 0.004 0.002 0.7855 0.002 0.002
2.7 0.784 -0.04 0.002 0.001 0.783 0.001 0.001
2.75 0.782 0 0.000 0.000 0.782 0.000 0.000
2.8 0.782 0.04 0.002 0.001 0.783 0.001 0.001
2.85 0.784 0.08 0.006 0.002 0.786 0.003 0.002
2.9 0.788 0.1 0.010 0.003 0.7905 0.004 0.003
2.95 0.793 0.14 0.020 0.004 0.7965 0.005 0.004
3 0.8 0.16 0.026 0.005 0.804 0.006 0.004
3.05 0.808 0.2 0.040 0.006 0.813 0.007 0.005
3.1 0.818 0.26 0.068 0.007 0.8245 0.009 0.007
3.15 0.831 0.28 0.078 0.008 0.838 0.010 0.007
3.2 0.845 0.3 0.090 0.008 0.8525 0.011 0.008
3.25 0.86 0.34 0.116 0.010 0.8685 0.012 0.009
3.3 0.877 0.38 0.144 0.011 0.8865 0.013 0.010
3.35 0.896 0.4 0.160 0.011 0.906 0.014 0.010
3.4 0.916 0.46 0.212 0.013 0.9275 0.016 0.012
3.45 0.939 0.48 0.230 0.014 0.951 0.017 0.012
3.5 0.963 0.48 0.230 0.014 0.975 0.017 0.012
3.55 0.987 0.56 0.314 0.016 1.001 0.020 0.014
3.6 1.015 0.58 0.336 0.016 1.0295 0.021 0.015
 3.65 1.044 0.6 0.360 0.017 1.059 0.021 0.015
3.7 1.074 0.66 0.436 0.019 1.0905 0.023 0.017
3.75 1.107 0.68 0.462 0.019 1.124 0.024 0.017
3.8 1.141 0.7 0.490 0.020 1.1585 0.025 0.018
3.85 1.176 0.74 0.548 0.021 1.1945 0.026 0.019
3.9 1.213 0.78 0.608 0.022 1.2325 0.028 0.020
3.95 1.252

The next step was plotting the velocity squared versus the average position, in two different series.
The first series was when the glider was moving away from motion sensor, and when the glider was
moving towards the motion sensor.

Figure 4:

f(x) = 0
Velocity2 vs. Average Position
0.700

0.600
f(x) = 1.34 x − 1.05
0.500
velocity2 (m/s)2

0.400

0.300

0.200

0.100

0.000
0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 1.3
Position (m)

Looking at the graph, it is again evident that the slopes of the different series is different. This again
occurred because the change in velocity also had a change in friction.

In order to solve for g, using the equation:

2
v =Bx+ C

Where for the horizontal motion of a glider connected to a hanging weight is equal to:
2 m' g
v 2= (x−x 0 )
m+m '

We can find that:

 2 m' g
B=
m+ m'

And therefore, we can solve for g. When moving towards the sensor, the value for g came out to be 10.79
m/s2. The value for g when the glider was moving away from the sensor came out to be 8.82 m/s 2. When
these two values were averaged together, the average g came out to be 9.805 m/s 2. This value is very close
to the actual g value which is the acceleration due to gravity at 9.81 m/s 2.

The percent difference was calculated and came out to be .05%. In this case, the work-energy theorem has
almost been verified as it is extremely close to the actual known value of the acceleration due to gravity.

C, the y-intercept in the velocity squared equation could also be used to find g, as g is used in the
equation. In this case:

2m ' g
C= x
m+m ' 0

Where x0 is the location at which vi is equal to 0.

Conclusion

In Investigation 1, we set up an air track on an incline. We then released a glider 20 cm away from the
motion sensor, which then collected data of the glider’s position every 0.05 seconds. We then took the
data from between two collisions and found the velocities squared between two subsequent points and
their error as well as the average position between two subsequent positions and their error. We then
graphed the velocity squared versus the average position, in two separate series based on when the glider
was going towards and when the glider was moving away from the sensor. Then, using the slopes of both
series, we were able to calculate their individual g, and then the average g. came out to be 8.597 m/s 2,
with a percent error of 6.22% from the expected acceleration due to gravity of 9.81.

In Investigation 2, we used the same set up, except we kept it horizontal instead of an inclined track,
and a pulley and weight were connected to the glider. The glider was then released from 40 cm away from
the sensor, and again the sensor calculated the position of the glider every 5 seconds. We again found the
velocities squared and their errors along with the average position and their errors between the subsequent
points. We again plotted velocity squared versus average position in two separate series; moving towards
and moving away from the sensor. The slopes were used to calculate g for each series, and then the
average g was calculated to be 9.805 m/ss, with a percent error of 0.05% from the expected acceleration
due to gravity.

Questions

1. As the velocity of the glider increases, does the accuracy of the motion sensor increase or
decrease?

The accuracy of the motion sensor decreases as the velocity of the glider increases.

2. In the configuration of Investigation 1, for the upwards part of the motion, how does the friction
affect the total energy of the glider? How does it affect the total energy for the downwards part of
the motion?

Since friction opposes the relative motion of an object, both when the glider moves in an upward
and a downward direction the total energy of the glider is reduced due to friction.

3. For the configuration of Investigation 1, draw force diagram for all the forces on the glider
including friction, for both the case of upwards and downwards motion.
4. For the configuration of Investigation 2, what is the acceleration of the glider if m’?

2 m' g v 2 (m+ m' )

2
v=
m+m '
(x−x 0 )  g=
2 m' (x−x 0)
 g=g avg ( m+2 m'm' )
g avg
lim g avg
m'→ ∞
( m+2 m'm' )  lim g avg
m '→ ∞
( 2mm ' + 12 )= 2 =0

If m’ goes to infinity, the glider will have an acceleration of 0

5. For the configuration of Investigation 2, what is the change in potential energy from the moment
of release to the moment of collision with the bumper? Considering the kinetic energy of the
system just before it crashes into the bumper, what is the change in total kinetic energy of the
system? Is the change in energy positive or negative? Explain whether your result makes sense.

∆ U =0 because the weight and the height does not change.

1 1 1 1
∆ KE=KE f −KE i= m v 2f − m v 2i = ( 0.3773 )( 0.78 )2 − (−0.78)2 = 0 J
2 2 2 2

It would be expected for this change to be negative because the system is losing energy due to
friction.