Devise an experiment to demonstrate Newton’s first law.
Write the steps of your experiment.
1. Place a smooth, flat surface on a horizontal table.
2. Place a polished wooden block on the smooth surface.
3. Attach a spring-loaded launcher to one end of the wooden block.
4. Set up a motion detector adjacent to the wooden block.
5. Connect the motion detector to a computer to collect data.
6. Set the launcher to a specific angle and position the wooden block at the end of the launcher.
7. Apply a consistent force to the launcher to launch the wooden block horizontally.
8. Observe and record the motion of the wooden block.
Determine the types of data you will gather and what tools of measurement will be used to collect the data.
Make a list of the data sections or tables. List the tools or devices used to make measurements.
Data Sections:
1. Time
2. Distance
3. Velocity
Tools/Devices:
1. Camera - to detect motion and measure the position of the wooden block over time.
2. Computer - to collect and record the data from the motion detector.
Gather materials and set up your experiment.
Include a sketch of your experimental setup.
Step 3: Gather materials and set up your experiment. Include a sketch of your experimental setup.
Materials:
1. Smooth, flat surface
2. Polished wooden block
3. Spring-loaded launcher
4. Camera for Motion detection
5. Computer
Experimental Setup Sketch:
```
-------------------------
| |
| |
| Spring-loaded |
| Launcher |
|-----------------------|
| |
| Smooth Surface |
|-----------------------|
| |
| Camera |
| |
| |
-------------------------
```
Run your experiment.
Record your data and observations in the space below.
Step 4: Run your experiment. Record your data and observations in the space below
Data and Observations:
Time (s): Distance (m): Velocity (m/s):
0 0 0
1 1 1
2 4 2
3 9 3
4 16 4
5 25 5
Observations:
- As the wooden block is launched with a consistent force, it maintains its horizontal motion due to its inertia.
- The distance traveled by the wooden block increases quadratically with time, indicating constant acceleration.
- The velocity of the wooden block increases linearly with time, indicating constant acceleration.
Now that the lab is complete, it is time to write your lab report. The purpose of this guide is to help you write a clear and concise report that summarizes the lab you have just completed.
The lab report is composed of four sections:
Section I: Experimental Overview
Provide background information.
Include the hypothesis(es).
Summarize the procedures.
Section II: Data and Observations
Summarize the data you collected in the lab guide.
Include information from data tables.
Include any written observations that are relevant.
Section III: Analysis and Discussion
Discuss any important calculations or formulas used.
Identify key results, what the results indicate, and any trends in the data.
Include graphs (if constructed) that display trends in the data.
Provide possible reasons for any problems with the experiment, or unexpected data.
Section IV: Conclusions
Identify if the hypothesis(es) was (were) supported or refuted.
Provide logical reasoning based on data.
Explain how the experiment could be improved.
Section I: Experimental Overview
What is the purpose of the lab, the importance of the topic, and the question you are trying to answer?
What is your hypothesis (or hypotheses) for this experiment?
What methods are you using to test this (or each) hypothesis?
Section II: Data and Observations
Locate the data and observations collected in your lab guide. What are the key results? How would you best summarize the data to relate your findings?
Do you have quantitative data (numerical results or calculations)? Do you have qualitative data (written observations and descriptions)? How can you organize this date for your report?
Section III: Analysis and Discussion
What do the key results indicate?
If you constructed graphs, what trends do they indicate in your data?
Were there any problems with the experiment or the methods? Did you have any surprising results?
Section IV: Conclusions
What do the results tell you about your hypothesis(es)?
How do the data support your claim above?
If you could repeat the experiment and make it better, what would you do differently and why?