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Investigating force and acceleration

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Designing experiments

Methods of heating substances

Working with electronics

Random sampling and sampling methods

Comparing results using percentage change

Explainer Video

Tutor: Katherine

Summary

Investigating force and acceleration

In a nutshell

By using a pulley system and a toy car with weight stacks, you will be able to investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration. You will do this by conducting two different experiments. One will vary the force and the other will vary the mass.

Equations

The first equation is the one which is being evaluated in your experiment. However you will need the other two equations in order to work out the acceleration.

Word Equation	Symbol Equation
$force = mass \times acceleration$	$F = m \times a$
$acceleration = {change \space in \space velocity\over time}$	$a = {\Delta v\over t}$
$velocity = {displacement \over time}$	$v = {s \over t}$

Variable definitions

Quantity Name	Symbol	Unit Name	Unit
$force$	$F$	$newton$	$N$
$mass$	$m$	$kilogram$	$kg$
$acceleration$	$a$	$metre \space per \space second \space squared$	$m/s^2$
$velocity$	$v$	$metre \space per \space second$	$m/s$
$time$	$t$	$second$	$s$
$displacement$	$s$	$metre$	$m$

Equipment list

The following equipment list can be used to conduct an experiment to evaluate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration.

Equipment	Use
$1 \, m$ ruler	To measure distance
Toy car/trolley	The object which its acceleration is being measured
Chalk	To mark out intervals of distance
Bench Pulley and string	To connect the toy car/trolley to weights
Weight stack and weights	To provide a force to the toy car/trolley
Stop watch	To measure the time of the toy car/trolley between intervals of distance
Blue tac	To attach weights to the toy car/trolley

Experiment 1: Investigating the effect of varying force on acceleration with a constant mass

Experimental variables

The independent variable is the one you change. The dependent variable is the one which depends on what has been changed, therefore it is the one you measure. The control variable is the one which is kept constant.

Independent variable	$force$
Dependent variable	$acceleration$
Control variable	$mass$

Safety precautions

When performing experiments, it is very important you consider safety precautions. This is so you and others do not get hurt.

Hazard	risk	safety measure
Weights	Weights become loose and fall on your feet	Don't stand directly beneath the weights

Method

This is your instructions for how to complete the experiment.

Method diagram

Below is a diagram to show how the experiment should be set up.

Physics; Physics practicals; KS4 Year 10; Investigating force and acceleration

1.	Toy car/trolley
2.	Chalk lines $20 \, cm$ apart
3.	String
4.	Bench
5.	Pulley
6.	Weight stacks and weights

1.	Draw out straight lines using chalk at $20 \, cm$ intervals on a flat table up to $1 \, m$ . This will allow the time between distances to be easily recorded.
2.	Attach the pulley to the end of the table.
3.	Add the weight stack to one end of the string and pull it over the pulley.
4.	Attach the toy car to the other end of the string. You need to make sure the string is in a straight line between the pulley and the toy car.
5.	Hold onto the toy car and attach a weight of $0.2 \, N$ to the weight stack.
6.	Set the stopwatch into 'lap mode'.
7.	When you are ready release the car and start the stopwatch. Every time the toy car reaches a $20 \, cm$ interval you should start a new lap on the stop watch until the toy car reaches $1 \, m$ . Hint: Do not push the toy car as this will not give reliable results, make sure you are just releasing it.
8.	Record the times on a table.
9.	Repeat steps 7 and 8 two more times.
10.	Repeat steps 5 to 9 by adding a weight of $0.2 \, N$ each time until the total weight in $1 \, N$ .

Analysis

This is how you will use your data to be able to form conclusions.

1.	Firstly, calculate the mean time for each interval. $mean \space time = {time_1 + time_2 + time_3\over 3}$
2.	Calculate the velocity of the toy car at each interval for each weight. $velocity = {displacement \over time}$ Hint: The displacement will be $0.2 \, m (20 \, cm)$ each time. The time used is the mean time you have calculated for each interval.
3.	For each weight, you then need to calculate the acceleration. To do this you will need the average velocity of the first interval, and the average velocity of the last interval. $acceleration = {\Delta velocity \over time}$ Hint: The change in velocity is the difference between the average velocities of the first and last interval.
4.	You should then plot acceleration and force onto a graph. Acceleration should be on the $y$ -axis as it is the dependent variable and force should be on the $x$ -axis as it is the independent variable. Draw a line of best fit.
5.	Finally you should comment on what your results show and the relationship between force and acceleration. $force = mass \times acceleration$

Conclusion

Your graph should show a directly proportional relationship between force and acceleration. This means that as force increases, the acceleration will also increase.

Your line of best fit should be a straight line through the origin, and should look like the one below. You can calculate the mass of the toy truck by finding the gradient of the line.

Evaluation

Once you have completed your experiment, it will be important to consider how well your graph relates to the equation. For example, do all of your results lie on the best fit line. You should make sure you identify any anomalies and not include them in your final results. If you did have anomalous results, you will need to think about why.

Experiment 2: Investigate the effect of varying mass with a constant force

Experimental variables

Independent variable	$mass$
Dependent variable	$acceleration$
Control variable	$force$

Method

You should repeat experiment one, but this time you should keep the same mass on the weight stack. You should then vary the masses on top of the car and make sure you include the toy cars own mass.

Analysis

Repeat the same analysis as experiment one. However, you should now plot mass on your $x$ -axis as this is now the independent variable.

Conclusion

Your line of best fit should be a curve, and should look like the graph below. The graph should show that as mass increases, the acceleration decreases. The acceleration should decrease at a greater rate with smaller masses than with larger masses.

Evaluation

You should repeat the same evaluation as experiment one on your new set of data.

Learn with Basics

Length:

Unit 1

Contact and non-contact forces

Unit 2

Newton's laws

Jump Ahead

Optional

Unit 3

Investigating force and acceleration

Final Test

Create an account to complete the exercises

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between mass and acceleration?

Mass and acceleration have an inversely proportional relationship.

What is the relationship between force and acceleration?

Force and acceleration have a directly proportional relationship.

In the required practical investigating mass and acceleration where force is constant, what is the independent variable?

The independent variable in the required practical investigating mass and acceleration where force is constant, is mass.

In the required practical investigating force and acceleration where mass is constant, what is the independent variable?

The independent variable in the required practical investigating force and acceleration where mass is constant, is the force.

Home

Physics

Physics practicals

Investigating force and acceleration

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Select an option

Physics practicals

Investigating the specific heat capacity

Investigating the resistance of a length of wire

Investigating I-V characteristics

Investigating series and parallel circuits

Investigating the densities of solids and liquids

Investigating elasticity

Investigating force and acceleration

Investigating waves in different materials

Investigating infrared radiation

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Magnetism and magnetic fields

Electromagnetism and solenoids

Motor effect and electromagnetic induction - Higher

Waves

Waves: properties, types and equations

Refraction and ray diagrams

The electromagnetic spectrum

Uses of electromagnetic waves

Forces

Forces and vector diagrams

Resultant forces - Higher

Gravity and weight calculations

Elasticity and the spring constant

Speed, velocity and acceleration

Distance-time and velocity-time graphs

Newton's laws

Friction and terminal velocity

Stopping, thinking and braking distances

Momentum calculations - Higher

Atomic structure

The structure of the atom

Electron energy levels and ionisation

Isotopes and radioactive decay

Half-life and calculating radioactive decay

Irradiation and contamination

Particle model of matter

States of matter and changes of state

Temperature and pressure of gases

Calculating density

Specific latent heat

Electricity

Electrical charge and circuits

Potential difference and resistance

Components and circuit devices

Series circuits

Parallel circuits

Energy and power in circuits

Household electricity

The National Grid

Energy

Energy stores and transfers

Mechanical energy stores

Specific heat capacity

Calculating work done and power

Conduction and convection

Energy efficiency

Renewable and non-renewable resources

Working scientifically

The scientific method

Science communication and ethics

Evaluating risks and hazards

Collecting data

Processing and presenting data

Units and equations

Structuring a scientific report and drawing conclusions

Uncertainties and evaluations

Practical skills

Measuring techniques

Safety and ethics

Designing experiments

Methods of heating substances

Working with electronics

Random sampling and sampling methods

Comparing results using percentage change

Explainer Video

Tutor: Katherine

Summary

Investigating force and acceleration

In a nutshell

Equations

The first equation is the one which is being evaluated in your experiment. However you will need the other two equations in order to work out the acceleration.

Word Equation	Symbol Equation
$force = mass \times acceleration$	$F = m \times a$
$acceleration = {change \space in \space velocity\over time}$	$a = {\Delta v\over t}$
$velocity = {displacement \over time}$	$v = {s \over t}$

Variable definitions

Quantity Name	Symbol	Unit Name	Unit
$force$	$F$	$newton$	$N$
$mass$	$m$	$kilogram$	$kg$
$acceleration$	$a$	$metre \space per \space second \space squared$	$m/s^2$
$velocity$	$v$	$metre \space per \space second$	$m/s$
$time$	$t$	$second$	$s$
$displacement$	$s$	$metre$	$m$

Equipment list

The following equipment list can be used to conduct an experiment to evaluate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration.

Equipment	Use
$1 \, m$ ruler	To measure distance
Toy car/trolley	The object which its acceleration is being measured
Chalk	To mark out intervals of distance
Bench Pulley and string	To connect the toy car/trolley to weights
Weight stack and weights	To provide a force to the toy car/trolley
Stop watch	To measure the time of the toy car/trolley between intervals of distance
Blue tac	To attach weights to the toy car/trolley

Experiment 1: Investigating the effect of varying force on acceleration with a constant mass

Experimental variables

Independent variable	$force$
Dependent variable	$acceleration$
Control variable	$mass$

Safety precautions

When performing experiments, it is very important you consider safety precautions. This is so you and others do not get hurt.

Hazard	risk	safety measure
Weights	Weights become loose and fall on your feet	Don't stand directly beneath the weights

Method

This is your instructions for how to complete the experiment.

Method diagram

Below is a diagram to show how the experiment should be set up.

1.	Toy car/trolley
2.	Chalk lines $20 \, cm$ apart
3.	String
4.	Bench
5.	Pulley
6.	Weight stacks and weights

1.	Draw out straight lines using chalk at $20 \, cm$ intervals on a flat table up to $1 \, m$ . This will allow the time between distances to be easily recorded.
2.	Attach the pulley to the end of the table.
3.	Add the weight stack to one end of the string and pull it over the pulley.
4.	Attach the toy car to the other end of the string. You need to make sure the string is in a straight line between the pulley and the toy car.
5.	Hold onto the toy car and attach a weight of $0.2 \, N$ to the weight stack.
6.	Set the stopwatch into 'lap mode'.
7.	When you are ready release the car and start the stopwatch. Every time the toy car reaches a $20 \, cm$ interval you should start a new lap on the stop watch until the toy car reaches $1 \, m$ . Hint: Do not push the toy car as this will not give reliable results, make sure you are just releasing it.
8.	Record the times on a table.
9.	Repeat steps 7 and 8 two more times.
10.	Repeat steps 5 to 9 by adding a weight of $0.2 \, N$ each time until the total weight in $1 \, N$ .

Analysis

This is how you will use your data to be able to form conclusions.

1.	Firstly, calculate the mean time for each interval. $mean \space time = {time_1 + time_2 + time_3\over 3}$
2.	Calculate the velocity of the toy car at each interval for each weight. $velocity = {displacement \over time}$ Hint: The displacement will be $0.2 \, m (20 \, cm)$ each time. The time used is the mean time you have calculated for each interval.
3.	For each weight, you then need to calculate the acceleration. To do this you will need the average velocity of the first interval, and the average velocity of the last interval. $acceleration = {\Delta velocity \over time}$ Hint: The change in velocity is the difference between the average velocities of the first and last interval.
4.	You should then plot acceleration and force onto a graph. Acceleration should be on the $y$ -axis as it is the dependent variable and force should be on the $x$ -axis as it is the independent variable. Draw a line of best fit.
5.	Finally you should comment on what your results show and the relationship between force and acceleration. $force = mass \times acceleration$

Conclusion

Your graph should show a directly proportional relationship between force and acceleration. This means that as force increases, the acceleration will also increase.

Your line of best fit should be a straight line through the origin, and should look like the one below. You can calculate the mass of the toy truck by finding the gradient of the line.

Evaluation

Experiment 2: Investigate the effect of varying mass with a constant force

Experimental variables

Independent variable	$mass$
Dependent variable	$acceleration$
Control variable	$force$

Method

You should repeat experiment one, but this time you should keep the same mass on the weight stack. You should then vary the masses on top of the car and make sure you include the toy cars own mass.

Analysis

Repeat the same analysis as experiment one. However, you should now plot mass on your $x$ -axis as this is now the independent variable.

Conclusion

Evaluation

You should repeat the same evaluation as experiment one on your new set of data.

Learn with Basics

Length:

Unit 1

Contact and non-contact forces

Unit 2

Newton's laws

Jump Ahead

Optional

Unit 3

Investigating force and acceleration

Final Test

Create an account to complete the exercises

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between mass and acceleration?

Mass and acceleration have an inversely proportional relationship.

What is the relationship between force and acceleration?

Force and acceleration have a directly proportional relationship.

In the required practical investigating mass and acceleration where force is constant, what is the independent variable?

The independent variable in the required practical investigating mass and acceleration where force is constant, is mass.

In the required practical investigating force and acceleration where mass is constant, what is the independent variable?

The independent variable in the required practical investigating force and acceleration where mass is constant, is the force.

Investigating force and acceleration

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Physics practicals

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Waves

Forces

Atomic structure

Particle model of matter

Electricity

Energy

Working scientifically

Practical skills

Explainer Video

Summary

Investigating force and acceleration

In a nutshell

Word Equation

Symbol Equation

Quantity Name​​

Symbol

Unit Name

Unit

Equipment

Use

Experiment 1: Investigating the effect of varying force on acceleration with a constant mass

​​Hazard

risk

safety measure

Method

Analysis

Conclusion

Evaluation

Experiment 2: Investigate the effect of varying mass with a constant force

Method

Analysis

Conclusion

Evaluation

Learn with Basics

Unit 1

Contact and non-contact forces

Unit 2

Newton's laws

Jump Ahead

Unit 3

Investigating force and acceleration

Final Test

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between mass and acceleration?

What is the relationship between force and acceleration?

In the required practical investigating mass and acceleration where force is constant, what is the independent variable?

In the required practical investigating force and acceleration where mass is constant, what is the independent variable?

Investigating force and acceleration

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Physics practicals

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Waves

Forces

Atomic structure

Particle model of matter

Electricity

Energy

Working scientifically

Practical skills

Explainer Video

Summary

Investigating force and acceleration

In a nutshell

Word Equation

Symbol Equation

Quantity Name​​

Symbol

Unit Name

Quantity Name

Hazard

Quantity Name

Hazard