Newton's 3 Laws of Motion

Last week, we studied the Newton Laws. The first basically states that an object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted on by an outside force. The second comes with the equation F = ma (Force equals mass x acceleration). This complements the other equation for force that we already have: f = mg (Force equals mass x gravity).

In the lab, we first needed to find the constant force the fan-cart exerts. We then used Logger Pro to create a velocity vs. time graph as we ran trials with the fan-cart carrying various weights. We then found the slope of the velocity vs. time graphs which gave us their accelerations. What we found is that when the force is constant, the acceleration and mass have an inverse relationship. This means that when the mass of the fan-cart went up, it's acceleration decreased and visa versa.

Also we did the hover disc lab. We analyzed the effects of gravitational, frictional, and normal forces on the disc. In my opinion it was a very cool lab because it was the first time that we used all three of Newton's laws of motion together.  

1. If an object is at rest or at a constant speed, it will remain that way unless it experiences a net force.
2. A=netF/m or netF=ma
3. When two object interact, they exert equal but opposite force upon each other.

We put this knowledge to use by creating interaction and free body diagrams for the lab. Interaction diagrams show the dynamics of force within an entire system. On the other hand, a free body diagram focuses on only one object of the system and only shows the forces acting upon it. One situation we depicted with both diagrams is below. The interaction diagram is followed by the free body diagram.

Hover Disk Lab

In class last week we did the hover disc lab. We analyzed the effects of gravitational, frictional, and normal forces on the disc. In my opinion it was a very cool lab because it was the first time that we used all three of Newton's laws of motion together.  
                                 

                                 

3 Laws of Motion:

1. If an object is at rest or at a constant speed, it will remain that way unless it experiences a net force.
2. A=netF/m or netF=ma
3. When two object interact, they exert equal but opposite force upon each other.

We put this knowledge to use by creating interaction and free body diagrams for the lab. Interaction diagrams show the dynamics of force within an entire system. On the other hand, a free body diagram focuses on only one object of the system and only shows the forces acting upon it. One situation we depicted with both diagrams is below. The interaction diagram is followed by the free body diagram.

I think that being able to draw these diagrams is very helpful for visually understanding situations in the world around us. Drawing the diagrams really forces you to think about all the individual forces these objects are experiencing. It also helps explain the dynamics between the force of gravity and the normal force.