Question
3 Evaluate the importance of lifting the track at one end.
Predict the relationship between mass and acceleration.
Write down Newton’s second law of motion.
Write down two measures that need to be taken to improve/ensure the
accuracy of the experiment
Predict the relationship between mass and acceleration.
Write down Newton’s second law of motion.
Write down two measures that need to be taken to improve/ensure the
accuracy of the experiment
Ask by Best Vaughn. in South Africa
Mar 18,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
-
Importance of Lifting the Track at One End
Lifting one end of the track creates an incline, allowing gravity to pull the cart down the track, providing a force that makes it accelerate. This setup reduces friction compared to a flat surface, ensuring the cart moves smoothly. -
Relationship Between Mass and Acceleration
The more mass an object has, the less it accelerates when the same force is applied. Mathematically, acceleration is inversely proportional to mass, so. -
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Newton’s second law states that the force acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration, written as. -
Measures to Improve/Ensure the Accuracy of the Experiment
- Reduce Friction: Use smooth tracks and clean surfaces to minimize resistance.
- Accurate Measurements: Use precise timers and take multiple measurements to average out errors.
Solution
-
Importance of Lifting the Track at One End
Lifting one end of the track creates an incline so that gravity provides a component of force along the track. This has two major effects:- It generates a net force along the direction of the track that causes the cart to accelerate.
- It minimizes frictional effects compared to a horizontal track by ensuring that the motion is predominantly driven by gravity.
-
Relationship Between Mass and Acceleration
According to Newton’s second law, when the net force is constant, the acceleration of an object is inversely proportional to its mass. This means that if the mass is increased while the net force remains the same, the acceleration will decrease. Formally, if the net force is, then the acceleration is given by -
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Newton’s second law of motion is written aswhereis the net force acting on an object, is its mass, and is its acceleration. -
Measures to Improve/Ensure the Accuracy of the Experiment
- Minimize Friction and Air Resistance: Use smooth and well-aligned tracks, and ensure that contact surfaces are clean. This reduces unwanted resistive forces that could affect the motion.
- Accurate Timing and Distance Measurements: Use calibrated sensors or timers, and take multiple measurements to account for random errors. Data averaging can improve the reliability of the calculated acceleration.
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
Like
error msg
Explain 
Simplify this solution Extra Insights
Lifting the track at one end creates a slope that allows for the observation of how gravity influences the motion of a mass. This incline causes an acceleration due to the component of gravitational force acting down the slope, demonstrating fundamental principles of physics and allowing for easier measurement of motion than a flat surface would provide.
When considering the relationship between mass and acceleration, Newton’s second law comes into play, stating that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma). This means that as mass increases, acceleration decreases if the force remains constant, showcasing the interplay between these variables during the experiment.
