Physics Labs
Late Nite Labs Description
Measuring Error
Students will affix a meter stick to a clamp on a vertical stand.
The meter stick will be release and the students will “catch” it
and mark how far the meter stick has fallen taking careful note
to measure correctly. Repeated trials of this action will result in
a spread of values for the data that can then be analyzed for
error.
Free Falling Bodies
Students will affix a ball to a clamp on a vertical stand as well as
a photogate at a measured distance lower on the stand. The ball
will be released from the clamp, fall through the photogate and
a velocity will be measured. Repeating this process will allow
students to measure and record data that should determine the
acceleration on the ball due to gravity. Additional bodies besides
the ball will also be available to test.
2D Kinematics
Analyze and perform calculations with position, velocity and
acceleration vectors. Students place projectiles on the sling and
fire them towards targets, occasionally maneuvering around
barriers. Students will analyze, calculate, and manipulate vectors
(shown on screen as arrow overlays / free body diagrams) as
relating to position, velocity and acceleration throughout the
trajectory by snapping screenshots of the projectiles in flight.
Newton’s Second Law
Students will attempt to replicate systems (a group of objects)
as described in the lab manual by combining gliders with
weights attached to strings hanging off pulleys with more
weights. Resultant motion will be measured with photogate
timers. Repeated measurements will be tabulated and the
student will attempt to reconcile their results with Newton’s
Second Law.
Conservation of Energy
Students will place the glider onto the track at various inclined
angles. Using the plunger spring to apply consistent force to the
glider they will measure the glider velocity as it passes through
the Photogate. Repeated measurements over various angles will
yield data from which students can calculate the various
energies of the glider and determine if the laws of conservation
of energy are upheld.
Conservation of Momentum
Students will set up an air track system with two gliders and run
several collisions, measuring velocities of both gliders. Gliders
will sometimes be outfitted with velcro to simulate inelastic
collisions (stick together after colliding). Students will reconcile
measurements to equations of motion as pertaining to
momentum.
Centripetal Force
Students will attach masses to each end of a string and swing
them horizontally in a circle. Calculate speed by measuring the
time it takes for the stopper to travel a certain number of
revolutions and knowing the length of the string. Performing
and taking measurements with a variety of weights and lengths
will allow for collection of enough data to properly examine the
impact mass, velocity, radius, and force has on the system.
Hooke’s Law
Add weights to springs hanging from scales, measuring the
starting and end distances and time elapsed for a large number
of oscillations. Repeat these measurements using various
weights in order to calculate the unknown spring constant used
in the lab.
Harmonic Waves
Students will place a motorized oscillator on the lab bench with
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WHF Textbook(s)
Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics
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Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics
the string drawn out at various lengths. They will then adjust the
frequency of the motor and record snapshots, length, and
frequency at which they observe various harmonic wave
patterns.
Torque
Students will hang various masses at variable distance from a
center fulcrum along scales. Resultant measurements will allow
students to derive forces being applied and calculate torque.
Additionally students will compare forces applied by various
masses attached to step pulleys and calculate torque in a similar
manner.
Buoyancy
Students will place various objects into water, record displaced
amounts of water, calculate buoyant force acting on various
objects from the resultant free body diagrams.
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Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics

Freedman/Ruskell/Kesten/Tauck, College Physics