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Velocity Analysis: Isla vs. Hazel

The purpose of the lab was to compare methods of finding average and instantaneous velocity by measuring the speed of a racecar down a ramp. Average velocity was calculated for the top, middle, and bottom sections of the ramp, as well as for the total distance. Instantaneous velocity was measured at specific distances down the ramp. The instantaneous velocities were more accurate than average velocities because they accounted for changes in speed over different sections of the ramp.

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Jonathan Chen
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68 views3 pages

Velocity Analysis: Isla vs. Hazel

The purpose of the lab was to compare methods of finding average and instantaneous velocity by measuring the speed of a racecar down a ramp. Average velocity was calculated for the top, middle, and bottom sections of the ramp, as well as for the total distance. Instantaneous velocity was measured at specific distances down the ramp. The instantaneous velocities were more accurate than average velocities because they accounted for changes in speed over different sections of the ramp.

Uploaded by

Jonathan Chen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to compare method used to find average velocity and instantaneous velocity, and

to apply a limit to the instantaneous velocity to compare graphically. Background: Average velocity is a measure of displacement in a given period of time; it is ratio of displacement per time. Instantaneous velocity is the first derivative of position. Materials: y Xplorer GLX PASCO y PASCO PAS Track y Tape y (3) Textbooks y (2) PASCO Photogates y PASCar

y y y

Piece of paper (to mount as a flag in the middle of the racecar) Stand mounts Ruler Digital Adapter

Procedure: Part 1 Measure Average Velocity on Upper End of Ramp 1) Elevate ramp by stacking the textbooks. 2) Clamp photogates on the stand mounts. 3) Set up photogates at 20 cm AND 50 cm. 4) Set up Xplorer GLX PASCO so that the TIME BETWEEN GATES is set to VISIBLE. 5) Release the racecar at the top of the ramp. 6) Record the time elapsed between photogates. 7) Reset the screen and clear the time. 8) Repeat Steps 5-7 for (3) trials. Part 2 Measure Average Velocity on Middle Section of Ramp 1) Set up photogates at 35 cm AND 65 cm. 2) Release the racecar at the top of the ramp. 3) Record the time elapsed between photogates. 4) Reset the screen and clear the time. 5) Repeat Steps 2-4 for (3) trials. Part 3 Measure Average Velocity on Lower Section of Ramp 1) Set up photogates at 60 cm AND 90 cm.

2) 3) 4) 5)

Release the racecar at the top of the ramp. Record the time elapsed between photogates. Reset the screen and clear the time. Repeat Steps 2-4 for (3) trials.

Part 4 Measure Average Velocity of Entire Ramp 1) Set up photogates at 20 cm AND 90 cm. 2) Release the racecar at the top of the ramp. 3) Record the time elapsed between photogates. 4) Reset the screen and clear the time. 5) Repeat Steps 2-4 for (3) trials. Data: (2) photogates: Trial 1 2 3 Avg. Time Velocity (dist./time)

Top (20-50cm)

Middle (35-65cm)

Bottom (60-90cm)

Total (20-90cm)

0.4590s 0.4395s 0.4500s 0.4495s 0.6670 m/s

0.3453s 0.3407s 0.3463s 0.3441s 0.8720 m/s

0.2531s 0.2696s 0.2666s 0.2631s 1.140 m/s

0.7850s 0.7842s 0.8339s 0.8010s 0.8740 m/s

Average of Top, Middle, and Bottom Velocities: 0.893 m/s (1) photogate: Trial Whole 1 0.1402s 2 0.1399s 3 0.1403s 0.1401s Average 0.906 m/s Velocity (dist./time) Distances Whole 0.127m 0.0707s 0.0709s 0.0701s 0.0706s 0.907 m/s 0.0343s 0.0344s 0.0345s 0.0344s 0.930 m/s 1/8 0.0164s 0.0165s 0.0163s 0.0164s 0.977 m/s

0.064m

0.032m

1/8 0.016m

Analysis/Observations: The speed at the bottom of the ramp was the greatest. Percent Error: [(0.893 0.8740)/0.8740] X 100 = 2.17%

Conclusion: The average velocity was experimentally determined by averaging the velocity of the three regions of the track. Each of these velocities was calculated by dividing the displacement by the change in time. Instantaneous velocity was experimentally calculated by averaging the speed of the racecar at a particular point on the track, 50cm. Juxtaposing the average velocity with the instantaneous velocity reveals that the instantaneous velocity is more accurate because it factors the velocity of several regions of the track.

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