Step 1: Gather Materials
On top, three washers labeled three washers, a ball of string labeled 1 meter of string, a timer labeled stopwatch, a blue bar labeled track, a book labeled textbooks. On bottom, a clamping device labeled pulley, a red car labeled toy car, a yellow and black device labeled metric tape measure, a grey roll labeled duct tape, a paper clip labeled paper clip, a weighing device labeled digital balance, a pen labeled marker.
Do you have a copy of the Student Guide for this lab, which includes the data table?
Step 2: Set up the Experiment
1. Secure the track on a flat surface using the duct tape.
2. Attach the pulley at one end of the track.
3. Tie one end of the string to the toy car and thread it through the pulley.
4. Place the three washers on the toy car to add weight.
5. Use the metric tape measure to measure and mark distances on the track for the starting point and stopping point.
6. Set up the digital balance on a stable surface for measuring mass.
7. Ensure the stopwatch is ready for timing the experiment.
8. Keep the marker and paper clip handy for recording data.
Step 3: Perform the Experiment
1. Start the stopwatch and release the toy car from the starting point.
2. Measure the time it takes for the toy car to reach the stopping point.
3. Record the time in the data table provided in the Student Guide.
4. Use the digital balance to measure the mass of the toy car with the washers attached.
5. Record the mass in the data table.
6. Repeat the experiment multiple times to ensure accuracy.
Step 4: Analyze the Data
1. Calculate the average time it took for the toy car to travel the distance.
2. Plot a graph of time versus mass to observe any trends or patterns.
3. Draw conclusions based on the data collected and discuss any possible sources of error.
Step 5: Clean up
1. Remove all materials from the experiment setup.
2. Store the materials in their designated places for future use.
3. Dispose of any waste materials properly.
4. Ensure the area is clean and organized before leaving.