LABORATORIUM FISIKA

FISIKA
LABORATORY MANUAL

BINUS-ASO SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

 Experiment
Newton Law

I. OBJECTIVE
a. At the end of this topic students can understand and explain:
- Newton’s Second Law
- Acceleration Down an Incline
- Conservation of Momentum in Explosions
- Conservation of Momentum in Collisions

II. INTRODUCTION
Isaac Newton, in his greatest discovery ‘Principia’ was telling us about 3 basic laws
for motion matter that known as 3 Newton’s Laws:
1. Newton’s First Law of Motion: “An object at rest stays at rest and an object in
motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted
upon by an unbalanced force.” This law is known as Law of Inertia.

2. Newton’s Second Law of Motion: “The acceleration of an object as produced by a

net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same
direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.”
This verbal statement can be expressed in equation form as follows:
(mv )
F
t 1
Mostly, mass is considered as constant:
(mv) m v
t ma
t
Or
F
a = F ma
m 2

3. Newton’s Third Law of Motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction.”.
FACT FREACT 3

These laws are becoming the basic of theory of classical mechanics that make a great
grade in the world because it can explain almost all of the phenomenons of motion even
the movement of planets. The weaknesses of the theory of classical mechanics are failing
to explain a few experiments which held on the beginning of 20th century, so that
stimulate the emergence of the theory of relativistic mechanics and the theory of
quantum mechanics. However, theories of classical mechanics are accurate enough if
implemented for the phenomenon of motion in macro scale and everyday life.

Newton second Law

Newton’s Second Law state that F ma , where F is the net force acting on the object
of mass m, and a is the resulting acceleration of the object. For a cart of mass m1 on a
horizontal track with a string attached over a pulley to a hanging mass m2 (see Figure 1),
the net force F on the entire system (cart and hanging mass) is the weight of hanging
mass, F = m2g, (assuming that friction is negligible).

Figure 1

According to Newton’s Second Law, this net force should be equal to ma, where m is
the total mass that is being accelerated, which in this case is m1 + m2. You will check to
see if m1g = (m1 + m2)a as predicted by theory.
To determine the acceleration, you will release the cart from rest and measure the
2
time (t) for it to travel a certain distance (d). Since d (1/ 2)at , the acceleration can be
calculated using a 2d / t 2 .

Acceleration Down an Incline

A cart of mass m on an incline will roll down the incline as it is pulled by gravity. The
force of gravity (mg) is straight down as shown in Figure 2. The component of that is
parallel to the inclined surface is mg sin .

Figure 2
 To determine the acceleration, you will release the cart from rest and measure the
2
time (t) for it to travel a certain distance (d). Since d (1/ 2)at , the acceleration can be
calculated using a 2d / t 2 . A plot of a versus sin will be a straight line with a slope
equal to the acceleration of an object in free-fall, g.

Conservation of Momentum in Explosions

When two carts push away from each other (and there is no net force on the system),
the total momentum is conserved. If the system is initially at rest, the final momentum of
the two carts must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to each other so the
resulting total momentum of the system is zero:
p m1v1 m2v2 0 4
Therefore, the ratio of the final speeds of the carts is equal to the ratio of the masses
of the carts.
v1 m1
5
v2 m2
To simplify this experiment, the starting point for the carts at rest is chosen so that the
two carts will reach the ends of the track simultaneously. The speed, which is the
distance divided by the time, can be determined by measuring the distance traveled since
the time traveled by each cart is the same.
x1
v t x
1 1
v2 x2 x2 6

t
Thus the ratio of the distances is equal to the ratio of the masses:
x1 m1
7
x2 m2

Conservation of Momentum in Collisions

When two carts collide with each other, the total momentum of both carts is
conserved regardless of the type of collision.
An elastic collision is one in which the carts bounce off each other with no loss of
kinetic energy. In this experiment, magnetic bumpers are used to minimize the energy
losses due to friction during the collision. In reality, this “elastic” collision is slightly
inelastic. A completely inelastic collision is one in which the carts hit and stick to each
other. In this experiment, this is accomplished with the hook-and-loop bumpers on the
carts.
III. PROCEDURE
Newton’s second law
a. Equipment
No Quantity Name
1 1 Track with Feet and End Stop
2 1 PAScar
3 1 Cart Mass
4 1 Super Pulley with Clamp
5 1 Stopwatch
6 1 Mass hanger and mass set
7 1 Mass balance
8 1 String (about 2 m)

b. Laboratory Setup
Experiment Procedure
1. Install the feet on the track and level it.
2. Install the end stop on the track near one end with the magnets facing away
from the track.
3. Measure the mass of the cart and record it in Table 1.
4. Attach the pulley and end stop to the track as shown in Figure 1. Place the
cart on the track. Tie a string to the lower attachment point of the cart. Tie a
mass hanger on the other end of the string. Run the string under the end stop
and over the pulley. Adjust the pulley so that the string runs parallel to the
track. The string must be just long enough so the cart reaches the end stop
before the mass hanger reaches the floor.
5. Pull the cart back until the mass hanger reaches the pulley. Record this initial
release position in Table 1. This will be the release position for all the trials.
Make a test run to determine how much mass is required on the mass hanger
so that the cart takes about 2 seconds to complete the run. Because of
reaction time, too short of a total time will cause too much error. However, if
the cart moves too slowly, friction causes too much error. Record the
hanging mass in Table 1.
6. Place the cart against the end stop on the pulley end of the track and record
the final position of the cart in Table 1.
7. Pull the cart back to the initial release position. Release it and time how long
it takes to reach the end stop. Record the time in Table 1.
8. Measure the time at least 5 times with the same mass and record these values
in Table 1.
9. Add a 200 g mass to the cart and repeat the procedure.
 Table 1 Experimental period
Initial release position = 72,1
Final Position = 96,2
Distance traveled (d) = 24,1
Cart Hanging Time Average
Mass Mass Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Time
0,252 Kg 0,0025 Kg 2,17 1,62 1,87 2,08 2,08 1,964

0,452 Kg 0,0025 Kg 0,51 0,69 0,45 0,62 0,33 0.52

c. Analysis
1. Calculate the average times and record them in Table 1.
2. Record the distance traveled (from initial to final position) in Table 1.
3. Calculate the accelerations and record them Table 2.
4. For each case, calculate (m1 + m2)a and record in Table 2.
5. For each case, calculate the net force, FNET, and record in Table 2.
6. For each case, calculate the percent difference between FNET and (m1 + m2)a
and record in Table 2.
Table 2
Cart Mass Acceleration (m1+m2)a FNET=m2g %Difference
0,252 Kg 0.125 m/s^2 0,031812 N 0,0245 N 0,26%

0,452 Kg 1,782 m/s^2 0,809919 N 0,0245 N 1,88255%

7. Did the results of this experiment verify that F ma ?

No, because there is a possibility of error in the data we got
8. Why must the mass in F ma include the hanging mass as well as the mass
of the cart?
Because there’s an
exclusion, it’s already
because it won't affect
much

Acceleration Down an Incline

a. Equipment
No Quantity Name
1 1 Track with End Stop
2 1 PAScar
3 1 Pivot Clamp
4 1 Base and support rod
5 1 Stopwatch
b. Laboratory Setup
Experiment Procedure
1. Set up the track as shown in Figure 3.3 with a pivot clamp and support stand.
Elevate the end of the track by about 10 cm.
 Figure 3
24
2.
Set the cart on the track against the end stop and record this final position in
Table 3. (Use the non-magnetic end of the cart so it touches the end stop.)
3. Pull the cart up to the top of the track and record the initial position where
the cart will be released from rest.
4. Release the cart from rest and use the stopwatch to time how long it takes
the cart to reach the end stop. The person who releases the cart should also
operate the stopwatch. Repeat this measurement 10 times (with different
people doing the timing). Record all the values in Table 3.
5. Lower the end of the track by 1 cm and repeat step 4. Use the same release
position.
6. Repeat step 4 for a total of 7 angles, lowering the end of the track by 1 cm
for each new angle.
Table 3 Data
Initial release position = 17 cm
Final Position = 100 cm
Distance traveled (d) = 83 cm
Height of Track
10 cm 9 cm 8 cm 7 cm 6 cm 5 cm 4 cm
Trial 1 1,09 1,34 1,35 1,53 1,3 1,53 1,59
Trial 2 1,12 1,31 1,29 1,45 1,4 1,44 1,7
Trial 3 1,13 1,23 1,24 1,46 1,41 1,46 1,5
Trial 4 1,18 1,23 1,1 1,27 1,14 1,28 1,42
Trial 5 1,2 1,12 1,02 1,22 1,35 1,29 1,52
Time Trial 6 1,29 1 1,35 1,19 1,16 1,57 1,42
Trial 7 1,31 1,21 0,96 1,2 1,53 1,45 1,62
Trial 8 1,22 1,06 1,14 1,17 1,25 1,3 1,22
Trial 9 1,09 1,04 1,28 1,07 1,47 1,29 1,73
Trial 10 1,11 1,27 1,27 1,15 1,35 1,44 1,52
Average 1,174 1,181 1,2 1,271 1,336 1,405 1,524

c. Analysis
1. Calculate the average time for each angle and record it in Table 3.
2. Calculate the distance traveled, d, from the initial to the final position.
3. Use the distance traveled and average time to calculate the acceleration for
each angle and record it in in Table 4.
 Table 4 Analysis
Height Acceleration sin θ
10 cm 1,2044 m/s^2 0,1205
9 cm 1,19 m/s^2 0,1084
8 cm 1,15278 m/s^2 0,0964
7 cm 1,02758 m/s^2 0,0843
6 cm 0,93 m/s^2 0,0723
5 cm 0,8409 m/s^2 0,06
4 cm 0,7147 m/s^2 0,0481

4. Measure the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by the track and use this to
calculate sin for each angle.
Hypotenuse = 0,83 m
5. Plot acceleration versus sin θ. Draw the best-fit straight line and calculate its
slope. Calculate the percent difference between the slope and g = 9.8 m/s2.
slope = 0,836
% difference = 15.86%
6. Does your reaction time in operating the stopwatch cause a greater
percentage error at higher or lower track angles?
Yes, the higher angles = the faster acceleration
7. How will doubling the mass of the cart affect the results? Try it.
It will affect all the result (acceleration, mass, etc)

Conservation of Momentum in Explosions

a. Equipment
No Quantity Name
1 1 Track with Feet and End Stops
2 2 PAScars
3 1 Collision Cart
4 1 Cart Masses
5 1 Mass set

b. Laboratory Setup
Experiment Procedure
1. Instal the feet on the track and level it. Install one end stop at each end with
the magnetic sides facing away from the carts.

Figure 4
 2. For each of the cases in Table 5, place the two carts against each other with
the plunger of one cart latched in the third position and touching the other cart
(see Figure 3.4). Push the plunger of the other cart all the way in to its storage
position.
3. Tap the plunger release button and watch the two carts move to the ends of
the track. Experiment with different starting positions until the two carts
reach the ends of the track at the same time. Measure the masses of the carts.
Record the masses and the starting position in Table 5.

Table 5 Results
Additional Additional
Starting
Mass on Mass on m1 m2 x1 x2 x1/x2 m2/m1
position
Cart 1 Cart 2
0 0 252 gr 252 gr 60 32,3 32 1,009375 1
250 g 0 502 gr 252 gr 55 27 37 0,72973 0,501992
500 g 0 752 gr 252 gr 50 33 42 0,785714 0,335106
250 g 250 g 502 gr 502 gr 60 32,3 32 1,009375 1

c. Analysis
1. For each of the cases, calculate the distances traveled from the starting
position to the end of the track. Record the result in Table 5.
2. Calculate the ratio of the distances traveled and record in the table.
3. Calculate the ratio of the masses and record in the table.
4. Does the ratio of the distances equal the ratio of the masses in each of the
cases? In other words, is momentum conserved?
Yes, it did
5. When carts of unequal masses push away from each other, which cart has
more momentum?
The one with bigger mass = bigger momentum
6. When the carts of unequal masses push away from each other, which cart has
more kinetic energy?
The one with bigger mass = bigger kinetic energy
7. Is the starting position dependent on which cart has the plunger? Why?
No, because it has its own formula

Conservation of Momentum in Collisions

a. Equipment
No Quantity Name
1 1 Track with Feet
2 2 PAScars

b. Laboratory Setup
Experiment Procedure
1. Instal the feet on the track and level it.
2. Orient the two carts on the track so their magnetic bumpers are toward each
other as shown in figure 5.
 3. Test cases A1 through A3 and B1 through B3 described below. Draw two
diagrams (one for before the collision and one for after the collision) for each
case.
4. In every diagram, show a velocity vector for each cart with a length that
approximately represents the relative speed of the cart.

Figure 5

A. Carts with Equal Mass

o Case A1: Place one cart at rest in the middle of the track. Give the
other cart an initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
----------------------

-------------------- -------------------

o Case A2: Start the carts with one at each end of the track. Give each
cart approximately the same velocity toward each other.
--------------------→ --------------------

STOP

o Case A3: Start both carts at one end of the track. Give the first cart a
slow velocity and the second cart a faster velocity so that the second
cart catches the first cart.
--------SLOW-------→ --------FAST---------

---------------------

B. Carts with Unequal Mass

Put two mass bars in one of the carts so that the mass of one cart is
approximately three times the mass (3M) of the other cart (1M).
o Case B1: Place the 3M cart at rest in the middle of the track. Give the
other cart an initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
----------------
3M 1M

----------1/3F-----------

o Case B2: Place the 1M cart at rest in the middle of the track. Give the
3M cart an initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
---------------------
1M 3M

---------3F-----------

o Case B3: Start the carts with one at each end of the track. Give each
cart approximately the same velocity toward each other.
 --------------------→ --------------------
3M 1M

---------------------→

o Case B4: Start both carts at one end of the track. Give the first cart a
slow velocity and the second cart a faster velocity so that the second
cart catches the first cart. Do this for both cases: with the 1M cart first
and then for the 3M cart first.
1
SLOW
--------------------→
3M

FAST
--------------------→
1M

2
SLOW
--------------------→
1M

FAST
--------------------→
3M
 8. Orient the two carts so their hook-and-loop bumpers are toward each other.
Push the plunger in all the way so it will not interfere with the collision.
9. Repeat test cases A1 through A3 and B1 through B3 and draw diagrams for
each case.

c. Analysis
1. When two carts having the same mass and the same speed collide and stick
together, they stop. Is momentum conserved?
No, because they stop
2. When two carts having the same mass and the same speed collide and bounce
off of each other elastically, what is the final total momentum of the carts?
Final momentum = initial momentum (cart 1 + cart 2)
REFERENSES
[1] PASCO Scientific. [Online]. Instruction Manual and Experiment Guide for the PASCO
scientific model SF-8607 dan SF-8608. Available:
https://www.pasco.com/file_downloads/product_manuals/Basic-Current-Balance-
Manual-SF-8607.pdf December 07,2015 [February 11, 2015]
[2] Meade, 2007. “Foundations Of Electronics 4”. Thomson. US.
[3] Floyd, 2005. “Electric Circuit Fundamental 7”. Prentice Hall. US
[4] Floyd, 2000. “Principle of Electrical Circuit 5”. Prentice Hall. US
[5] Tony R K. 2006. “Lessons In Electric Circuit Volume I DC and Volume II AC” 5. Design
Science License. US
[6] http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/electricity_ohms_law.htm
[7] http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_5/1.html
[8] http://thomasyg.staff.gunadarma.ac.id/Downloads/files/8195/Regresi+dan+Korelasi.pdf
IV. APPENDICES

In this experiment, we can conclude that we can get Newton's law from various
formulas and the data result from where we tested. Velocity can be affected Mass
and Angle, and we used the formula of percentage when comparing two
experimental results E1 and E2 that were obtained using two different methods.