CHAPTER 2 Investigations

investigation 2.3.1 OBSERVATIONAL STUDY SKILLS MeNU

• Questioning • Planning • Observing

Static equilibrium of Forces • Researching
• Hypothesizing
• Controlling 
Variables
• Analyzing
• Evaluating
• Predicting • Performing • Communicating
In Section 2.3, you learned about using the components of
force vectors to analyze the conditions required for static
equilibrium. In this investigation, you will set up and evaluate 6. Using the values of the masses and the angles of the
the conditions for static equilibrium. This will require using strings, calculate the horizontal components of the
the components of force vectors in two dimensions. tensions in the strings attached to m1 and m3 and
compare them by calculating the percent difference.
Purpose
SKILLS
HANDBOOK A2.4 Use right as positive.
To analyze how forces of friction and other forces affect 7. Change the angles of the strings connecting m1 and
a system in equilibrium m3, while keeping the string supporting m2 vertical,
and repeat Steps 3 to 6.
equipment and Materials 8. Use the third pulley to offset the string holding m2 so it is
• eye protection no longer vertical (see Figure 1(b)). Determine the
• 3 small pulleys vertical components of the tensions in the three
strings and compare them. Determine the horizontal
• padding, such as a towel or blanket
components of the tensions in the three strings and
• circular protractor
compare them.
• vertical force board (or a support structure)
9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for different force values and angles.
• 3 hangers with masses (100 g and two 200 g)
• string b c b c

a d a d
Procedure
1. Place padding at the base of the force board in case a
string breaks and a mass falls. e
2. Put on your eye protection. Hang the three different origin
masses (m1, m2, and m3) from strings tied together m3 f m3
m1 m1
at a common point, with two of the strings hanging
over pulleys as shown in Figure 1(a). Make sure m2 protractor m2
the masses are all at rest. Line up the origin of the
protractor with the common point of the strings.  (a) (b)
Figure 1  (a) Original setup of masses, as described in Step 1. 
Do not use masses that are larger than 500 g. Do not wear  (b) Add the third pulley, as described in Step 8.
open-toed shoes. Take care not to allow the masses to fall 
on your hands or feet. Analyze and evaluate
3. Measure the angles a, b, c, and d (see Figure 1(a)). (a) What is the condition for static equilibrium?  K/U
4. Draw a system diagram for the setup. Label all angles (b) Describe how friction between the strings and the
and masses. Draw an FBD for each mass and for the pulleys affects the results of this investigation.  T/I   A

common point of the strings.
5. Using the values of the masses and the angles of the
strings, calculate the vertical components of the
tensions in the strings attached to m1 and m3. Use up
as positive. Calculate the vertical force produced by
m2. Compare the sum of the vertical components of
the tensions in the strings attached to m1 and m3 to
the vertical force produced by m2 by calculating the
percent difference.
(c) How could you improve the accuracy of your
measurements in this investigation?  K/U   T/I   A
Apply and extend
(d) If you have access to a force sensor, replace m2 in
Figure 1(a) with the sensor. Start with the strings
attached to m1 and m3 as horizontal as possible, and
then gradually pull down with the force sensor until
the angles b and c decrease significantly.  T/I   A

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 (i) What happens to the reading on the force sensor?
(ii) What implications does this trend have?
(e) Imagine pulling down slightly on m2 so that the
point where the strings tie together moves, and
then letting go. Predict what would happen. If the
equipment is still available, try it. Describe the motion
investigation 2.4.1 CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT
Inclined Plane and Friction
In Section 2.4, you solved problems using the formulas
for determining the coefficients of friction. In this
investigation, you will approximate a reliable estimate of
these coefficients using objects on an inclined plane.
SKILLS
Testable Questions HANDBOOK A2.2
(a) How do the coefficients of static and kinetic friction
compare for an object on a ramp?
(b) How do the coefficients of friction for different objects
compare to each other when placed on the same ramp?
hypothesis
After reading through the Experimental Design and
Procedure, formulate hypotheses for the Testable Questions.
Explain the reasoning for your hypotheses.
variables
Identify the controlled, dependent, and independent
variables in your investigation.
experimental Design
You will test the effects of different objects (such as the
sole of a running shoe or a friction block with rubber
backing) on the coefficients of static friction and kinetic
friction using an inclined plane. You will need to raise
the inclined plane until each object begins to slide to
determine the coefficient of static friction. You will need
to lower the inclined plane until the object moves down
the plane at a constant speed to determine the coefficient
of kinetic friction. How much do the coefficients vary?
Are they ever the same? These and similar questions
should form the basis of your investigation.
equipment and Materials
• metre stick
• inclined plane
• test objects (for example, running shoe, textbook,
plastic block, piece of wood)
• protractor (optional)
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8160_CH02_p060-105.indd 96
of the masses after you let go. Assume that you do
not pull down far enough to pull any of the masses
over their pulleys, and that the pulleys and strings
are frictionless. Remember that after you let go of
the mass, the net force goes back to zero. Was your
prediction correct?  T/I   A
SKILLS MeNU
• Questioning • Planning • Observing
• Researching
• Hypothesizing
• Controlling 
Variables
• Analyzing
• Evaluating
• Predicting • Performing • Communicating
Procedure
1. Place the first object on the inclined plane. Determine
the angle at which the object just starts to slide down
the incline. Explain how the mass of the object relates
to the coefficient of static friction. 
Do not wear open-toed shoes. Take care not to allow the 
test objects to fall on your hands or feet.
2. Use the angle from Step 1 to determine the coefficient
of static friction.
3. Determine the angle that will allow the object to slide
down the incline at a constant speed. You can do this
by lowering the angle slightly once the object has
started to move.
4. Use the angle from Step 3 to calculate the coefficient
of kinetic friction.
5. Repeat Steps 1 to 4 for different test objects.
Analyze and evaluate
(a) What variables were measured, recorded, and
manipulated in this investigation? What type of
relationship was being tested?  K/U   T/I
(b) Why are the coefficients of friction different for the
different objects that you measured?  K/U   T/I
(c) Compare the coefficients of static and kinetic friction
for shoe soles, wood, and plastic. Which object has
the highest coefficient of friction?  K/U   T/I
(d) What actions could you take to improve the accuracy
of your measurements in this activity?  K/U   T/I
Apply and extend
(e) Describe an experimental procedure that shows
that the coefficients of friction for two materials are
independent of the mass of an object.  T/I   A
(f) Describe another experimental procedure that can
determine the coefficient of kinetic friction using an
inclined plane. What new equipment, if any, would
this method require?  T/I   A
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 Investigation 2.4.2 OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Motion and Pulleys
In Investigation 2.4.1, you determined the coefficients
of friction of objects on an inclined plane. In this
investigation, you will use the inclined plane, an object,
and its coefficient of friction from Investigation 2.4.1.
You will then calculate the acceleration of the object on
the inclined plane. You will design your own investigation
in which you will measure the acceleration of a mass and
compare it to your calculated value.
Purpose
To design your own investigation to measure the acceleration
of a mass and compare the measured value to the actual
calculated value of the acceleration
Equipment and Materials
• eye protection
• ticker tape timer, motion sensor, or video camera
• metre stick
• protractor
• stopwatch
• masses (100 g, 200 g, 500 g)
• pulley
• string
• one object from Investigation 2.4.1
• inclined plane from Investigation 2.4.1
Procedure
1. Design an investigation to calculate and then
measure the acceleration of a moving mass. Include
all applicable safety precautions. Decide what you
are going to measure and how you can determine
the acceleration from the information that you have.
Suggestion: Suspend one mass from a string that goes
over a pulley, which is then tied to the object from
Investigation 2.4.1 on the inclined plane.
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8160_CH02_p060-105.indd 97
Skills Menu
• Questioning • Planning • Observing
• Researching
• Hypothesizing
• Controlling  
Variables
• Analyzing
• Evaluating
• Predicting • Performing • Communicating
Ensure the pulley is attached to a secure support. Do not
wear open-toed shoes. Take care not to allow the test
objects to fall on your hands or feet.
2. Before you conduct your investigation, draw an FBD
of your setup.
3. Calculate the result that you expect for the
acceleration using the coefficient of friction
determined in Investigation 2.4.1.
4. Have your design approved by your teacher.
5. Conduct your investigation.
6. Repeat the investigation using a different mass.
Analyze and Evaluate
(a) Compare your measured values for acceleration with
your predicted values. Account for any differences
between the two sets of values.  K/U T/I A
(b) Calculate the percent error.  T/I
(c) Determine how you can improve the accuracy of your
measurement.  K/U T/I
Apply and Extend
(d) List some other values that you could measure using a
similar setup.  K/U T/I A
(e) Careful design of an experiment can help lead to
accurate and precise results. Describe some common
mistakes that students and researchers make when
designing experiments. Explain how these mistakes
affect the experimental results.  T/I A
Chapter 2 Investigations   97
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