Analysis of the effects of the force of an object on its acceleration in a system

Abstract:
In an air-track, the acceleration of the cart changes with a change in the hanging mass. This is
based on Newtons second law that states: F = m*a. We observed the relationship between the
force of the hanging bobs and the resulting acceleration of the cart. We performed 6 sets of trials
with a different number of bobs hanging, and had 4 runs per set. This way, we could change the
force acting on the cart, and note the acceleration. We made sure the total mass remains constant
by hanging the desired number of bobs on the string, and attaching the rest of the bobs to the
cart. The acceleration was measured using a photo gate and necessary computer software. From
these results, the slope of the force vs. acceleration graph was linear and positive. Therefore, the
acceleration of the cart increased as the force of the hanging mass increased.

Experimental Design:

Group I

Group II

Group III

Hypothesis

Acceleration of the
mass on the cart is
directly related to the
force of the hanging
mass.

The hanging mass

value will affect the
acceleration of the
system.

The acceleration of
the block will remain
unchanged due to
constant force. When
mass increases,
acceleration will
increase.

Independent
Variable

Force due to bobs

Number of bobs

Number of bobs

Dependent Variable

Acceleration

Acceleration

Acceleration

Control variables

Mass of 1 bob = 4.84

g, Mass of gold cart =
0.159 g

Mass of system=
175.5g, Friction 0

Mass of 1 bob = 4.5g

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Experimental Setup:

Figure 1: General Air-track setup

Results:
Uncertainties:

U{mass of bob} = 0.05 g

U{mass of cart} = 0.05g
U{force of hanging bobs} = 0.05N
U {acceleration} varies with each trial. They were obtained from Data Studio and are
listed in the data table below.

Group I:

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# of hanging
bobs

Force of hanging bobs

(N)

Average
Acceleration of cart
(m/s2)

1
2
3
4
5
6

0.04748 0.05
0.09496 0.05
0.1424 0.05
0.1899 0.05
0.2374 0.05
0.2849 0.05

0.223 6.3*10-4
0.464 6.4*10-4
0.713 8.3*10-4
0.967 0.0012
1.27 0.0048
1.45 0.0041

Table 1: Collected data table for Group I (our group)

Force vs Acceleration
f(x) = 5.3x - 0.03
R = 1

Linear ()

Figure
1: Force vs. Acceleration graph for Group I

Mathematical Model*: y = 0.0529x 0.00328

*All mathematical models are for mass in g (NOT kg), although data in Table 1 and figure 1 is
taking mass in kg
Group II:
# of bobs
5
4
3
2
1

Hanging mass(g)
22.5
18
13.5
9.0
4.5

Acceleration(m/s2)
1.20
0.923
0.727
0.484
0.242

Table 2: Collected data table for Group II

Mathematical Model: y = 0.0529x+0.0026

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Group III:
# of bobs
5
4
3
2
1

Hanging Mass(g)
22.5
18.0
13.5
9.0
4.5

Acceleration(m/s2)
1.20
0.967
0.753
0.507
0.183

Table 3: Collected data table for Group III

Mathematical Model: y = 0.0554x 0.0262

Conclusions and Discussion:

In this experiment, we observed the relationship between the force of the hanging mass and the
acceleration of the car in an air-track setup. The independent variable is the force of the hanging
mass, and the dependent (measured) variable is the acceleration of the cart. The total mass of the
system was held constant. For example, in trial 1 for group 1, 1 bob was hanging, but the other 5
bobs were attached to the cart.
After analyzing the data, it becomes clear that the acceleration of the cart changes as when we
change the force due to the hanging masses. The acceleration of the cart increased as we
increased the force of the hanging mass (by adding bobs). Therefore, the research hypothesis was
supported by our results.
Figure 1 shows the graph of the force of the hanging mass vs. the acceleration of the cart. The
slope of the graph is linear, and positive. As the x-variable increases, the y-variable increases as
well. This means that as the force and acceleration are directly related. For example, the
acceleration of the cart with 5 hanging bobs (greater force) = 1.27 m/s2. This is larger than the
acceleration of the cart with 2 hanging bobs (less force), which is equal to 0.464 m/s2.
Acceleration consistently increases with force.
Data from another 2 other groups was collected to compare our results against, and to help
validate and make out conclusion stronger with more evidence. Table 2 shows the table of the
data collected by group II. The results are not in a graphical form, but we can see that as the
hanging mass (force) increases, the acceleration increases as well. For example, the acceleration
of the cart with 5 hanging bobs = 1.2 m/s2, whereas the acceleration of the cart with 2 hanging
bobs = 0.484 m/s2. This validates the claim in the previous paragraph. The data is very similar to
the data collected in table 1.
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Table 3 shows the data collected by another group (group III). We can see the same patterns in
that data as well. The acceleration with 5 bobs = 1.2 m/s2 and acceleration with 2 bobs = 0.507
m/s2. This makes our claim stronger.
The three mathematical models are similar as well. The mathematical models are:
Group I: y = 0.0529x 0.00328
Group II: y = 0.0529x+0.0026
Group III: y = 0.0554x 0.0262
There are a few discrepancies in the data for the 3 groups. However, none of the errors are
significant enough to refute our claim. The 3 mathematical models are nearly identical, but there
is some error. The slope for group I and II is 0.0529 but the slope for group III is 0.0554. There is
a 4.73% error in the data for group III. This slight error could have been caused by a few factors.
Random error includes error in measurement of the mass of the cart and the bobs. This error was
accounted for by taking more data (4 trials per set), and averaging the values for acceleration.
Friction on the track and in the string added to systematic error. In theory, the friction would be
expected to be 0. All attempts were made to reduce the systematic and random error. The mass
was measured carefully using a balance. Using an air track greatly decreased friction. None of
these errors affected the data significantly. We are neglecting air resistance in this case; it is one
of the assumptions we make. The only way to eliminate any error due to this would be to
perform this in a vacuum, and that is out of our reach. The effect of air resistance is negligible, so
it did not impact the final conclusion. A specific constrain in the system that might have caused
the 4.73% error could be the use of different tracks and equipment by the 3 groups. The data
might have been identical if the exact same track, cart, string and bobs were used. None of these
factors were important enough to significantly affect our results or refute our claim.
Any changes in these factors would have changed the resulting mathematical model. The part of
the model that would have been affected the most is the intercept. If there wasnt any friction,
and all the situations were ideal, it would have been 0.
The hypothesis for this experiment was supported; the force caused by the hanging bobs is
related to the acceleration of the cart. As the force increases, the acceleration increases as well.

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