Force, Mass and Acceleration

[Matt 20 1]

1. Aim: To examine the relationship between the net force acting on a system, the mass of the system and its acceleration.

Method:
1. Use an electronic scale to measure the mass of a trolley.
2. Set up the trolley as shown below and measure the length that the trolley travels before dropping. (Trolley on table connected to a 1kg mass hanging over the edge. String connecting the two on a pulley).
3. Time how long it takes for the trolley to fall. Do this three times. (0.62m)
4. Place a 1kg mass on the trolley and time how long it takes to fall
5. Repeat, using a 2kg mass, and then a 3kg massMass (kg) Time (sec)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
0.780 0.25 0.29 0.30 0.28

1.780 0.36 0.40 0.40 0.39

2.780 0.43 0.43 0.51 0.46

3.780 0.59 0.66 0.49 0.57


I'm really not sure of any equations or how to find a solution. What I need help to learn is how to figure out the force of the system

 

[jbsteele]

(net force) in terms of the acceleration, mass and time. I understand that the force is equal to the mass times the acceleration, but I'm not sure how to use this information to get a result. Any help would be much appreciated.