Joel Thomas
Physics H
1/6/06
G
Efficiency of an inclined plane – frictional loses
Purpose: To determine the Efficiency of an inclined plane, and the energy lost due to
friction at five different angles.
Materials & Method:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
support pole
pendulum clamp
wooden board
meter stick
1kg mass
protractor
10N spring scale
1. You should create one full vector diagram of the weight on the plane at a
particular angle theta, showing all vector components.
2. Before weighing your 1kg mass, zero the spring scale.
3. Using five different angles run the Efficiency experiment for inclined planes. In
each case, record: 1) the effort required to pull the 1kg mass up the plane at a
constant speed, using a force parallel to the surface of the plane. 2) The weight of
the 1kg mass that is lifted using the plane. 3) The height and length of the plane.
A. Make sure when you measure the angle with the protractor, measure it 5° less
since there is a gap between the base of the protractor and 0°
B. Make sure you convert centimeters to meters for all measurements.
C. Make sure the pendulum clamp is tightened.
Data Chart:
Angle
10°
20°
30°
40°
50°
Feff
4.0N
5.2N
7.0N
7.7N
8.7N
Length
1.22m
1.22m
1.22m
1.22m
1.22m
Width
9.8N
9.8N
9.8N
9.8N
9.8N
Height
.21m
.41m
.60m
.74m
.90m