Aluminum Inclined Plane - Constant Acceleration, 1C20.40

Topic and Concept:

• Motion in One Dimension, 1C20. Uniform Acceleration

Location:

• Cabinet: Mechanic (ME)

• Bay: Floor Item, Mechanics South Wall

• Shelf: #1

Abstract:

The steel ball baring rolling down an inclined plane demonstrates how a body accelerates at constant acceleration (a fraction of g). The metronome allows for accurate timekeeping.

Important Setup Notes:

• Practice releasing the ball in sync with the beats of the metronome. The metronome time may need adjusting so that the ball hits those marks.

• The markings 1, 4, 9, 16 are distances in feet from the starting point.
• 5 minutes of setup time is needed.
• The distants between the lags is 245cm(along the incline) and the difference in hight is 16cm. This give us an angle of 3.74 degrees for the incline.

Setup and Procedure:

1. Start by setting the metronome at 56 beats per minute.
2. Place the ball bearing at the top of the inclined plane.
3. Release. When released the ball should pass each mark on the track with the beats of the metronome. The ball should pass through #1 then hits marks 4, 9, and 16 (ie. the basket) that are marked on the side of the track.

Cautions, Warnings, or Safety Concerns:

• Please do not drop the steel ball bearings

Discussion: N/A

Videos:

• ALPlane-Acc.mts

• Lecture Demonstration's Youtube Channel

References:

• N/A

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