Newton's second law

By the end of this session; each student will be able to

1. Verify Newtons second law experimentally through observing,
and measuring some common forces that occur in our everyday
life e.g. gravity , friction & , and tension T.
2. Fit observed data with mathematically modeled physical
phenomenon.
3. Use a variety of physical measuring devices e.g. Stop watch,
scale.
4. Estimate the uncertainty by applying the rules of Standard
Deviation in the case of repeated measurements of a single
quantity and by employing the technique of Least-Squares
Fitting in the case of experiment that involves the measurement
of several values of two or more different quantities.
g
f
S
f
K
f
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Course Student Learning Outcomes
2
5. Apply the technique of error propagation to estimate and
manipulate the uncertainty in directly and indirectly
measurement of physical quantities.
6. Evaluate some uncertainty related quantities, namely
accuracy and precision, confidence level, discrepancy, and
significance of a discrepancy, and utilize them to determine
the sources of experimental errors, and to discuss how to
minimize the uncertainties in the results.
7. Incorporate computer in measuring and analyzing the
experimental result.
8. Communicate scientific results in a written manner through
presenting a word-processed report on the conducted
experiment.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Course Student Learning Outcomes
Continued
3
Newtons second law says that the
acceleration of an object is proportional to the
sum of the forces applied on that object
F
m
a

1
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Experimental setup
Saturday, October 18, 2014 5
m
1
: T
1
F
friction
= m
1
a (1)
m
2
: m
2
g T
2
= m
2
a (2)
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T
2
T
1
= ma = 0a = 0
or
T
2
= T
1
(3)
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Using Eqs. 1-3 we get
m
2
g m
1
a F
friction
= m
2
a
m
2
g F
friction
= m
2
a + m
1
a
And thus
2 1
2
m m
F g m
a
friction

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F
friction
= 0
2 1
2
m m
g m
a

Saturday, October 18, 2014 9

For an object moving with constant acceleration,
the equation of motion is given by
2
2
1
at t v x x
o o

Divide both side of the equation by t, we get
t
at
t
t v
t
x x
o o
2
2
1

Saturday, October 18, 2014 10

at v
t
x
t
x x
o
o
2
1

This equation is of the form which is the equation

of straight line with slope S and intercept I
Sx I y
a Slope
2
1

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Experimental procedure
1. Measure the mass of the chart m
1
and estimate its error.
2. Measure the hanged mass m
2
and estimate its error.
3. Hold the chart in a static position using the magnet (available
on the end of the track).
4. Set the sensor at a distance of about 20.0 cm from the end of
the chart (Be careful: take your measurement from the top
end that passes through the sensor and not the bottom end
which lies on the track. Talk to the instructor if in doubt). Do
not forget to estimate the error on your measurement.
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5. Reset the counter and make sure the thread is not
impeded by anything (e.g. that it passes right through
the pulley and is not falling on the side).
6. Release the chart by pressing the trigger.
7. Record, in the table, the displayed time (use the first
counter only) and repeat this measurement three times.
8. Repeat steps 3-7 for the distances listed in the table
and fill it in.
Saturday, October 18, 2014 13
Source
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-
physics/investigating-newtons-second-law-motion
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys2010/phys2010NewLab
Man2001/2010labhtml/EXP1/EXP1LAB01.html
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 4th edition, Douglas C.
Giancoli, Pearson Education, Inc., Addison Wesley.
Physics I Lab Manual, (Abdelouahab Abdesselam)
Saturday, October 18, 2014 14