Linear Kinematics Lab – PHY 141 and PHY 161
Introduction: We consider a cart rolling on a track to answer the following
questions.
1. Is the acceleration constant?
2. Is the entire set of kinematic quantities consistent with constant
acceleration?
3. What is our best estimate of the acceleration, including uncertainty?
Background: How are we trying to answer the questions in the introduction?
Include a description of the experimental setup, measured quantities, how these
were measured, and equations used to analyze those measurements.
Data: Table, Graphs 1 and 2, Comparison Graph
Analysis: Here is where numbers from the data are quoted and detailed
comparisons are made.
1. Show aavg, var(a), unc(a), a. Is var(a) ≤ unc(a)? If so, then aexp is constant.
2. Show a1, a1. Is a1 within a+a1 of aavg? If so, this confirms the kinematics
of constant acceleration.
3. Show a2, a2. Is a2 within a+a2 of aavg? If so, this confirms the kinematics
of constant acceleration.
4. Are the three a values in the comparison graph close enough together that
all their error bars overlap?
Conclusion: Provide final answers to the questions presented in the Introduction.
It is not necessary to quote again the numbers from the Analysis. However, do
provide your best (conservative) estimate for A ± A, the acceleration and your
uncertainty as to its value.
Questions: Please answer Selected Questions 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the lab instructions.