Acceleration of a Cart
Obj: Analyze the motion of an accelerating cart.
Materials: 60 Hz timer, incline, timer tape, meter stick
(Note: students in photo are now very old!)

Methods:
1. Attach the tape to the cart; roll the cart down the incline with the timer on as described in class.
2. Make a data table with t, Δd, and v as discussed in class.

Analysis:
1. Plot a displacement (d) vs. time (t) graph; "smoothly" average the data points with a curved line.
2. Calculate the instantaneous velocity (V_0.3) using the tangent slope method discussed in class.
3. Plot a velocity vs. time graph; calculate the slope. What does the slope represent?
4. Determine the total area under the line on your V-t graph. Compare with your data table. What does the area represent?
5. Solve the equation d = V_it + ½ at² for your final data table time and the calculated acceleration, then compare with your total distance (d) on your data table. (Note: V_i can be found on your graph. It may not equal zero.)
6. Solve the equation V_f² = V_i² + 2ad for total distance (d), then compare with the final velocity on your data table. (Note: V_i can be found on your graph. It may not equal zero.)
7. Your summary must compare the shapes of both graphs, discuss the meaning of slopes on both graphs, and the area on the v-t graph.

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