PROVINCIAL COMMON TASK

EXPERIMENT 2

DETERMINING THE POSITION-TIME GRAPH OF A TROLLEY RUNNING

DOWN A TRACK AT CONSTANT SPEED OR ACCELERATING.

GRADE 10

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

PHYSICS

TERM 3

MARKS: 50

TIME: 2 hours

EXAMINER: Prof. G. Izquierdo Rodríguez

MODERATOR: Mr. B.J. Kunnath

This experiment consists of 7 pages.

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EXPERIMENT 2 FOR FORMAL ASSESSMENT
Date: _____________________
NAME OF SCHOOL : _________________________________________
NAME OF LEARNER :__________________________________________
CLASS :__________________________________________

EXPERIMENT: Determining the position-time graph of a trolley running down a

track at constant speed or accelerating.
AIM:
 To measure the position and time during motion and to use that data to plot a
“Position vs. Time” graph.
THEORY/BACKGROUND:
The motion of an object can be describe using graphs. There are three types of
graph to show motion: position –time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs.
For a position-time graph, the y-axis represents the change in position
(displacement) of an object and the x-axis shows the time taken. For a motion with
constant speed the graph is a straight line.
The slope of the position time graph tells us how fast the object is moving.
Position-time graphs for accelerating objects are curves. As an object accelerates, it
covers more and more displacement in in each successive second.
The time in an experiment can be measure using a ticker-timer.
1
f
The period of the ticker-timer (T= )
1
If the frequency is 50 HZ the period is T= = 0,02 s which is the time for two
50
consecutive dots.
APPARATUS:
 Ticker-timer and ticker tape
 Power supply or batteries
 Trolley
 Trolley track and wooden blocks or other objects to support the trolley track.
 Graph paper
 Ruler.
PRECAUTIONS:
 Do not conduct the experiment with wet hands.
 If using a power supply do not touch the frame of it.
 If using batteries make sure the batteries do not leak, as the acid they contain
may be hazardous.

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METHOD:
1. Assemble the apparatus and set up the experiment as shown in the diagram
below.

2. Connect the ticker-timer to the power supply and select the frequency if it to
be 50 HZ.
3. Slightly raise the end of the trolley track that is nearest the ticker-timer. The
trolley must maintain a constant speed along the track when you give it a light
push. The slope cancels the effect of friction during the course of the
experiment.
4. Switch on the ticker-timer.
5. Push the trolley to attain a reasonable speed down the trolley track.
6. Label the ticker-tape.
7. Raise the trolley track to allow the trolley to accelerate down the track as
shown in the diagram below. Repeat the experiment.

8. Start the ticker-timer and leave the trolley to move with constant acceleration.
9. Label the tape from the second run.

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RESULTS
Now process the ticker-tapes
1. Inspect the ticker tape. Choose a length of ticker-tape where the dots are
equally spaced for Run 1 and gradually increasing in distance for Run 2.
2. Mark every 10th dot A, B, C and so on.
3. Measure the distance between A and B, B and C and so on. For the selected
frequency of 50 Hz the time interval for a length of 10 dots is (t= n x T)
t= 10 x 0,02= 0,2s.
Record the information in a table similar to the one bellow. (8 marks)
4.
Run 1 Run 2
Displacement for 10 dots Displacement for 10 dots Time between 10 dots
∆ ⃗x (m) ∆ ⃗x (m) ∆t (s)
AB = AB = 0,2
BC = BC = 0,2
CD= CD= 0,2
DE= DE= 0,2

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS

1. What does the spacing of the dots on the ticker-tape tell you about the motion
of the trolley during Run 1? (2 marks)
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2. What does the spacing of the dots on the ticker-tape tell you about the motion
of the trolley during Run 2? (2 marks)
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3. Draw a position-time graph for Run1. (5 marks)

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 4. What can be deduced from the shape of the graph? (3 mark)
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5. Draw a position-time graph for Run2. (5 marks))

6. What can be deduced from the shape of the graph? (3 mark)

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 CONCLUSIONS
 Write down a suitable conclusion for this experiment. (4 marks)
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Rubric:
Following the instruction and manipulation (6 marks)
Criteria High 3) Medium (2) Low (1 None (0)
Accurately following Following a Can Able to follow Unable to follow
a sequences of sequence of complete an a single a single written,
written/verbal instructions experiment written, diagrammatic or
instructions including by following a diagrammatic verbal
branched sequence of or verbal instructions.
instructions. instructions. instructions.
Manipulative skills Able to use all Use most of Able to use Unable to use
include correct and apparatus and the only the most only the most
safety handling of materials apparatus basic basic
apparatus and correctly and and materials equipments. equipments.
materials. safely. safely.

[38 marks]

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CONTROL QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1

The velocity-time graph below describes a car’s motion.

Velocity-time
v (m∙s-1)

2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
t (s)

1.1 Was the car moving in a positive or negative direction? (2)

Give a reason for your answer.
1.2 Describe the car’s motion in words. (2)
1.3 Calculate the distance covered by the car during the first 4 s. (3)
1.4 What was the car’s acceleration between 0 s and 4 s? (1)
1.5 Calculate magnitude of the car’s acceleration between 4 s and 6 s. (4)
[12]

TOTAL MARKS [50]

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