LAB REPORT

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COURSE TITLE: PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT TITLE:
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Data and Result:
Part I. Keeping the total mass constant
Table 4.1.
Trial m1 m2 Time aexp atheoretical Fnet Error
(g) (g) (s) (%)
1 160 140 1.13s 0.84 0.65 0.196 29.23%
2 170 130 0.89s 1.36 1.31 0.392 3.82%
3 180 120 0.66s 2.47 1.96 0.588 26.02%
4 190 110 0.51s 4.14 2.61 0.784 58.62%
5 200 100 0.44s 5.56 3.26 0.980 70.55%

Part II. Keeping the total Force constant

Table 4.2.
Trial m1 M2 Time aexp atheoretical Fnet Error
(g) (g) (s) (%)
1 120 100 1.36 0.58 0.89 0.196 34.83%
2 140 120 1.39 0.56 0.75 0.196 25.33%
3 160 140 1.40 0.55 0.65 0.196 15.38%
4 180 160 1.41 0.54 0.58 0.196 6.9%
5 200 180 1.36 0.58 0.52 0.196 11.54%

Height : 83.8 cm – 30 cm = 53.8 cm

 Analysis

In this experiment, we use the basic design of the Atwood's machine, It consists of two unequal
masses connected by a single string that passes over an ideally massless and frictionless pulley. The
objectives of this experiment is to study Newton's second law using a simple machine called Atwood's
machine and to determine the acceleration due to gravity experimentally.

After executing and gathering the data of the experiment, we found out that the calculated experimental
accelerations in part 1, which has five trials, where the m1 that has 160g on trial 1 increases by 10g for
each trial and the m2 that has 140g on trial 1 decreases by 10g for each trial, have low precision and low
accuracy as the value of experimental acceleration is not close to each other and there is a big difference
between the experimental acceleration and theoretical acceleration for each trial and a huge percentage
error except for trial 2 which only has 0.05 difference and a percentage error of 3.82%. These differences
and errors are the result of experimental errors that arise during the experiment such as the timer and air
resistance. Furthermore, the net force for each trial increases as the mass1 increases because larger mass
requires more force to accelerate which is why the experimental acceleration also increases for each trial.

On the second part, the calculated experimental acceleration shows high precision as the values are
close to each other. However, it also shows that it has low accuracy as there is still a difference between
the experimental acceleration and theoretical acceleration and a big percentage error except for trial 4
which only has a percentage error of 6.9%, but the average percentage error on part 2 is small(18.80%)
compare to the average percentage error on part 2(37.65%). Also, the net force in part 2 for each trial is
constant as the mass 1 and mass 2 for each trial both increases by 20g.
The calculated data in part 1 and 2 indicates that mass affects the net force of an object which also affects
its acceleration. The difference of the two mass in part 1 where the other mass increases further and the
other decreases makes the net force to increase which also makes the acceleration to increase. It was
different in part 2 as there is a constant change in the two mass that makes the net force to be constant,
which is why the value of the experimental acceleration for each trial is close to each other.

Conclusion

In this experiment, we use the basic design of the Atwood's machine, It consists of two unequal
masses connected by a single string that passes over an ideally massless and frictionless pulley. The
objectives of this experiment is to study Newton's second law using a simple machine called Atwood's
machine and to determine the acceleration due to gravity experimentally.

After executing and gathering the data of the experiment, we found out that the calculated experimental
accelerations in part 1, which has five trials, where the m1 that has 160g on trial 1 increases by 10g for
each trial and the m2 that has 140g on trial 1 decreases by 10g for each trial, have low precision and low
accuracy as the value of experimental acceleration is not close to each other and there is a big difference
between the experimental acceleration and theoretical acceleration for each trial and a huge percentage
error except for trial 2 which only has 0.05 difference and a percentage error of 3.82%. These differences
and errors are the result of experimental errors that arise during the experiment such as the timer and air
resistance. Furthermore, the net force for each trial increases as the mass1 increases because larger mass
requires more force to accelerate which is why the experimental acceleration also increases for each trial.

On the second part, the calculated experimental acceleration shows high precision as the values are
close to each other. However, it also shows that it has low accuracy as there is still a difference between
the experimental acceleration and theoretical acceleration and a big percentage error except for trial 4
which only has a percentage error of 6.9%, but the average percentage error on part 2 is small(18.80%)
compare to the average percentage error on part 2(37.65%). Also, the net force in part 2 for each trial is
constant as the mass 1 and mass 2 for each trial both increases by 20g. The calculated data in part 1 and 2
indicates that mass affects the net force of an object which also affects its acceleration. The difference of
the two mass in part 1 where the other mass increases further and the other decreases makes the net force
to increase which also makes the acceleration to increase. It was different in part 2 as there is a constant
change in the two mass that makes the net force to be constant, which is why the value of the experimental
acceleration for each trial is close to each other.

Based on the findings of the experiment, the following recommendations can be made:

Further exploration of mass ratios: Investigate the effects of different mass ratios on the system's behavior.
By varying the masses on either side of the pulley and measuring the resulting accelerations, additional
data points can be obtained to establish a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between
mass ratios and acceleration.

Friction: Extend the experiment by incorporating friction into the system. By introducing friction at the
pulley or between the masses and the surface they slide on, the impact of friction on the system's behavior
can be examined. This will provide insights into how friction affects the acceleration and overall dynamics
of the Atwood's machine.

Comparison with theoretical predictions: Compare the experimental results with the theoretical predictions
based on equations derived from the principles of Atwood's machine. Calculate the expected accelerations
using the mass ratios and compare them with the measured values. Analyzing any discrepancies will help
refine the understanding of the system and identify sources of error or other factors influencing the results.

Investigation of other variables: Explore the effects of other variables, such as the length or elasticity of
the string or the shape and mass distribution of the pulley. By systematically varying these parameters and
observing their impact on the system's behavior, a more comprehensive understanding of Atwood's
machine can be achieved.

By following these recommendations, further experimentation and analysis can be conducted to deepen
the understanding of Atwood's machine and its applications in various contexts.
 INDIVIDUAL LABORATORY REPORT
Name: Section:
Course: Score:

Part I. Keeping the total mass constant

1. Look at the data: as the net force increased, what happened to the acceleration? Did it
increase, decrease or stay constant?

2. Did a change in the net force produce a change in acceleration by the same factor? Do your
results agree with Newton’s 2nd Law

3. Make a plot of Net Force vs. Experimental Acceleration and draw the best-fitting line.

Part II. Keeping the Net force constant.

4. Look at the data: as the total mass increased, what happened to the acceleration? Did it
increase, decrease or stay constant?

5. Did a change in the total mass produce a change in acceleration by the same factor? Do
your results agree with Newton’s 2nd Law?