Friends Boys School

Science Department
11 grade (SL)
th
Physics Lab sheet

Topic 2.2: Forces and dynamics

Newton’s 2nd law – Air track

Procedure

1. Setup the air track as shown below:

2. Adjust and fix the distance (d) between the photo gate and the initial releasing point of the cart
to be 50 cm.
3. Turn the timer on ”Timing I” mode.
4. Measure the mass M , m and x (start with M = 30 grams)
5. Turn the air blower on and release the cart.
6. The timer measures the time (t) needed for the distance x to pass through the gate.
7. The instantaneous speed of the cart upon passing through the photo gate can be calculated by
using the equation .
8. Repeat 6 times, each time displacing 10 g from the masses placed on the cart to (M), keeping the
other values fixed and (M + m) constant.
9. Use a suitable graph and the equation (v2 = u2 + 2ad) to study the relation between the
acceleration (a) of the system and the force (Mg) acting on it.
10. Compare the slope with the accepted value.

Assessment:
Data collection & Processing (DCP)
Conclusion & Evaluation (CE)