Fan Car Acceleration Experiment

Overview: 
The purpose of this lab was to take two fan powered cars with different accelerations going in different directions, and try and predict where and when they would collide. 

Materials: 

• Fan Powered Car
• Stop Watch
• Meter measuring stick
• chalk

Procedure:

We started the lab by finding the acceleration of our car. We did this by marking the displacement of the car at each second of motion. We then shared our data with another group so we could calculate the point of intersection. Once we compared data, we manipulated the accelerations to find where and when the two cars would collide. 

Raw Data:

Time       Their Data    Our Data

Manipulated Data:

Here is the position vs time graph for the two cars

Summary: 

We collaborated with Miranda and Morgan's group to find the position and time of intersection. They were our partner group, so we were able to use the same test and the same numbers as them. We ended up being within the allowed 5% error margin at the end of the experiment. 

Prediction: 

Time: ~2.5 seconds 

Position: ~61 cm

Actual: 

Time: 2.9 seconds

Postion: 63 cm

Forces: Challenge Lab

Introduction:
In this lab, we tried to find the weight of an object based on the tension of the wire that was holding it up.

Data:
We used trigonometric ratios to find the unknown tensions.

FBD for the experiment

Cos58 = fty1 / 1.6

-> fty1 = 0.85N

Cos22 = fty2 / 3.5

-> fty2 = 3.25N

With these tensions, I concluded that the weight of the object must have been 4N. I was correct.

Unit 3 Summary: CAPM

Introduction:
This unit, our class learned about constant acceleration, and created the Constant Velocity Particle Model. 

Instantaneous Velocity:
1. The first way of finding the instantaneous velocity is to determine the slope of the tangent to an x vs. t graph at a given point. 

2. The second way is to use the mathematical model:
vf=at+vi
(Final Velocity = acceleration * time + Initial Velocity)

Two graphs depicting velocity vs. time and position vs. time

Displacement: 
1. The first way of finding the displacement of an object is to find the area under a V vs. T curve. This process is demonstrated in the V vs T graph above. 

2. The second way is to use the mathematical model:
x = 1/2at^2 + vit
(positon = 1/2 acceleration * time squared + initial velocity * time)

Acceleration:
1. The first way of finding the acceleration of an object is to find the slope of a v vs. t graph

2. Using the mathematical model:
a = change in v / change in t

3. Solving for acceleration in the mathematical model:
x = 1/2at^2 + vit
(positon = 1/2 acceleration * time squared + initial velocity * time)

4. Solving for acceleration in the mathematical model:
vf=at+vi
(Final Velocity = acceleration * time + Initial Velocity)

x vs. t graphs:
1. With a position vs. time graph, you can find the starting position, direction of motion, and velocity. You can also use the graph to draw a v vs. t graph or an a vs. t graph.
2. You can use the information to draw a motion map
3. You can determine the average and instantaneous velocity (as mentioned above).
4. You can determine the displacement (as mentioned above)

The x vs. t graphs are showing constant acceleration

v vs. t graphs:

1. With a velocity vs. time graph, you can find the acceleration (explained above), and find the direction of motion (positive or negative slope). 

2. You can use it to draw an x vs. t graph

3. You can use it to draw an a vs. t graph

4. You can use it to draw a motion map (with velocity and acceleration vectors

Motion map showing constant acceleration