Experiment 4: First and Second Laws of Motion

Laboratory Report

Hannah Demate, Alexis Ong, Pablo Noberto Reyes

Department of Mathematics and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

Abstract the strings the experiment tries to illustrate

The experiment illustrates Newton's
first and second laws of motion using two
distinct activities. The first activity, which
makes use of CK-12, is able to illustrate the
first requirement of equilibrium by
confirming that the portrait is successfully
supported by the strings. The second
activity, which makes use of physics
simulations, makes use of Atwood's Machine
to demonstrate how Newton's second law of
motion behaves.
1.Introduction
According to the first law of motion,
a moving object that is at rest or in
equilibrium will stay at rest (Britannica,
2021). As a result, the portrait needs to be
balanced by adjusting each cord's tension
using the law of inertia. The second law of
motion, on the other hand, states that the
magnitude and direction of an acting force
must be equal to the temporal rate of change
of an object's momentum. In order to
calculate the acceleration of the given items
and the friction between the object and the
surface, the second law of motion must be
applied.
The team used Newton's first and
second laws of motion in simulations. By
determining the resultant and equilibrant of
the first condition of equilibrium. And
proving Newton's second law of motion
using Atwood's Machine.
2.Theory
The three Newton's laws demonstrate the
connection between an object's motion and
the forces operating on it. The experiment's
initial phase serves as an illustration of the
law of inertia, the fundamental law of
motion. By balancing a portrait, it may be
demonstrated that an object at rest stays still
while one in motion maintains its direction
and speed unless a force is applied. As a
result, the system is considered to be in an
equilibrium state when the forces are in
balance. The initial equilibrium condition, in
which there are no net forces operating on a
body, follows this.
The Atwood’s machine and the
inclined plane with friction are used in the
second activity to illustrate the law of
acceleration, the second law of motion. It
indicates that an object’s acceleration is
inversely proportional to its mass and
directly related to the magnitude and
direction of its net force. The formulas used
during the experiment are shown in Table 1
and Table 2.

Table 1. Formulas used in activity 1
Table 2. Formulas used for activity 2
3.Methodology
The first and second laws of motion
were divided into two portions for the
experiment that was carried out.
Figure 1. CK-12 Portrait Gallery
To conduct the first activity of the
experiment the researchers utilized the CK-
12 simulator.
The tension vectors on the graph
were pulled, or the slider angles were
changed, to calibrate the portrait's cords and
prevent them from snapping. Clicking the
tension vectors revealed the x and y
components of Cords 1 and 2 (T1x and T1y)
when the portrait was balanced. By
calculating the resultant magnitude and
direction of Cord 1 and the Portrait, the
component method was used to find the
equilibrium position with the identified
components. The percentage of error was
then determined. The formulas used during
the activity are shown in Table 1.
Figure 2. oPhysics: Atwood’s Machine
Activity 2 was performed using
oPhysics: Atwood’s Machine. The activity
asked for 0° of angle and the values for
variables m1, m2 and the coefficient of
friction were set to any desired values. It
was ensured that the Atwood's machine
accelerated before beginning the simulator
because if it did not, the variables would
need to be changed until it did. The
measured numbers from the simulator were
now being listed in Microsoft Excel as the
machine moved.
The unknown variables could be
determined using the provided data in
Microsoft Excel. Therefore, the apparent
weight of m2, the coefficient of friction, and
their percentage errors were calculated using
the formulas in Table 2. Displace 2.21 Initial
ment of velocity
4.Results and Discussion m2 (x) =0

Elapsed 1.21
time (t)
Force x- y- Magni Direc
s comp comp tude tion Accelera 3.02 x=
onent onent tion of
m2
Cord
2 (T2) Magnitu 98 N
de of the
Cord -13.4 11.7 17.79 138.8
1 (T1) 7 weight
of m1
Portra 0 -25 25 270 (W1)
it (P)
Normal 98 N
Cord -13.4 -13.3 18.88 - force on
1+ 135.2 m2
Portra 1
it Coefficie 0.38 or =
nt of 0.4 =
Equili 18.88 - Friction
brant 315.2 (μ)
of T1 + 1
P Displace 2.21
ment of
Perce m1 (y)
ntage
Error Apparen 67.8 67.6
t Weight
Activity 2:
of m1
Measur Comput Percent
ed ed age
Values Values Error
5.Conclusion
Newton’s 2nd law of motion explains the
m1 10 kg result of unbalanced forces to a given object.
The law states that unbalanced forces cause
m2 10 Final
velocity the acceleration of the object with direct
= 3.66 proportion to the net force and inverse
proportion to the net force. Newton’s 2nd F= 98N
law of motion states that the net force on a
specific body is given by the product of the
m1= 10
body’s mass and acceleration. From this
formula, it states that force is directly
proportional to the acceleration but inversely m2= 10
proportional to the mass. As acceleration
increases, there must have been greater force F
❑ 98
applied or less mass was being moved. a= =
∑
❑
m 10+10
However, when acceleration decreases, net
force acting is less or there is a heavy mass a= 4.9 m/ s2

of the object being moved.

The value of acceleration of m from

6.Application
1. If three concurrent forces are in
equilibrium, what is the relation between
any one of the three forces and the resultant
of the other two forces?
F1, F2, and F3 should be the three.
simultaneous forces. The following equation
ought to be true because the body is in
equilibrium: F1+F2+F3 = 0.
the force of 98N divided by the sum of m1
and m2 resulted in 4.9m/ s2 which is not the
same as the value achieved in activity 2.
3. The Russell traction system shown below
is used for a fractured femur. Identify the
forces acting on the femur. If the weight
hang is 5.0kg, find the force needed to
immobilize the femur. What will supply this
force? (Source: General Physics with
Bioscience Essays by Jerry Marion)

F23 is equal to F2 plus F3 if F23 is also the

product of the forces F2 and F3. The result
would be either F1 + F23=0 or F1-F23=0.

Thus, one of the three forces should have

equal magnitude and opposite direction with
the resultant of the other two forces.

2. In activity 2, try to solve for the Figure 3. Russell traction System

acceleration of m2 using the second law of
motion. Will you get the same answer? T = mg
=(15kg)(9.8 m/ s2)
=49N
R=√❑
=√❑
=125.33

| |
❑

𝛉= ∑ Fy
−1 ❑
tan
❑

= tan
−1
|
44.04
−117.34 |
= 20.57 °
= 180° - 20.57° =159.43°

It was calculated that the tensional force was

49N. Then, the sum of T1, T2, and T3 as
well as the x and y components were
calculated. These produced a force with a
magnitude of 125.33N, which immobilized
the femur at an angle of 159.43°.

7.References
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica.
(2022b, November 3). Newton’s
laws of motion | Definition,
Examples, & History. Encyclopedia
Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/
Newtons-laws-of-motion