New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Foundation

Measuring acceleration analysis (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t)

I can explain how to measure acceleration accurately.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Foundation

Measuring acceleration analysis (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t)

I can explain how to measure acceleration accurately.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A dynamics trolley has a steady acceleration down a steep ramp.
  2. Acceleration = change of velocity ÷ time and change in velocity = final velocity – initial velocity
  3. Light gates can improve accuracy of measurement of instantaneous velocity and reduces random errors.
  4. For a fair test, total mass of the system must be kept constant.
  5. A compensated ramp can counteract the effect of friction.

Common misconception

Pupils may compare the accelerations of objects on the basis of final velocities and may fail to take into account the time interval over which the change in velocity occurred.

Provide pupils with opportunity to analyse measurements of changes in velocity in which the starting velocities vary. A pair of light gates at two positions along the ramp will allow this.

Keywords

  • Compensated ramp - A ramp with a slope to counteract the effect of friction.

  • Final velocity - The final velocity of an object is the velocity it finishes with after a phase of motion.

  • Light gate - A light gate can be used to measure velocity. It uses an infrared beam to turn a timer on and off as an object passes through.

  • Repeatable - Measurements are repeatable if they are very similar when the same procedure is carried out by the same person or team.

  • Uniform acceleration - When the acceleration is constant, it is described as uniform acceleration.

The lesson provides the opportunity to discuss the importance of trial runs in establishing how much variation in measurements will happen, and deciding on numbers of repeat readings, and identifying factors which need to be carefully controlled.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
A student measures the time taken for a toy parachute to fall from a particular height. She repeats the measurement and gets these results: 1.60 s, 1.53 s, 1.52 s. The mean time taken is s.
Correct Answer: 1.55, 1.55s, 1.55 s
Q2.
A toy car travels at a constant velocity along a straight track. It travels 90 cm in 20 s. The velocity of the toy car is m/s along the track.
Correct Answer: 0.045, .045, 0.045m/s, 0.045 m/s, .045m/s
Q3.
A car accelerates steadily from rest to 20 m/s in a time 8.0 s. The acceleration of the car is m/s$$^2$$.
Correct Answer: 2.5, 2.5m/s2, 2.5 m/s2, 2.5m/s^2, 2.5 ms^2
Q4.
A student measures the acceleration of a trolley along a slope for different values of the force pulling the trolley. Which of the following is the independent variable in this experiment?
the angle of the slope
the mass of the trolley
the acceleration of the trolley
Correct answer: the force acting on the trolley
Q5.
A trolley travels down a slope. It is stationary at the start and gets faster as it moves. A student takes measurements and calculates (distance travelled) ÷ (time taken). What has the student found?
the speed at the start
the speed at the end
Correct answer: the average speed
the acceleration
Q6.
A trolley is stationary at A then accelerates along the track. A student wants to measure the trolley’s average acceleration between A and C. Which of the following calculations should be used?
An image in a quiz
(average speed between A and D) ÷ (time from A to C)
(average speed between A and D) ÷ (time from A to D)
Correct answer: (average speed between B and D) ÷ (time from A to C)
(average speed between B and D) ÷ (time from A to D)

6 Questions

Q1.
A is an instrument that uses an infrared beam to turn a timer on and off as an object passes through.
Correct Answer: light gate, lightgate
Q2.
A trolley takes 3.50 s to travel along a ramp. Its starting velocity is 0 and its final velocity is 0.42 m/s. The acceleration of the trolley is m/s$$^2$$.
Correct Answer: 0.12, .12
Q3.
A student wants to find the relationship between force and acceleration of a trolley. They will use masses on a hanger to pull the trolley. To make the test fair, how should they increase the force?
An image in a quiz
by putting more masses onto the trolley
by putting more masses onto the hanger
Correct answer: by moving masses from the trolley to the hanger
by moving masses from the hanger to the trolley
Q4.
The picture shows a trolley with three 100 g masses resting on it, and two 100 g masses attached to the trolley by a string. If friction can be ignored, what is the accelerating force on the trolley?
An image in a quiz
1 N
Correct answer: 2 N
3 N
5 N
Q5.
A student wants to find the relationship between force and acceleration of a trolley on a track. Before taking measurements, they tilt the track at an angle. This is to make sure that ...
Correct answer: the accelerating force is caused only by the hanging masses.
friction and drag make the trolley accelerate.
gravitational force makes the trolley move down the track.
the trolley moves down the track even when no masses are attached to it.
Q6.
If two variables, $$x$$ and $$y$$, are directly proportional, which of the following statements are correct?
Correct answer: If $$x$$ halves, $$y$$ halves.
If $$x$$ increases by 2, $$y$$ increases by 2.
Correct answer: A graph of $$y$$ against $$x$$ is a straight line.
Correct answer: A graph of $$y$$ against $$x$$ passes through the origin.