Elementary Mechanics Special Lab Project

[paalfis]

I don't know if this is the right forum to post this, please move it if it's not.

I am studying physics at university, and have to prepare a special research project in Lab 1 (Elementary mechanics) by my self and then present it to the rest of the group for a final grade in the course.

The type of experiments we do are mostly focused in measuring something (like K of a spring, speed of a mass, frecuency of oscilation, etc) and comparing it to what the theory says about it, by applying error theory to our results (another focus of the course is in learning to use algorithms like linear regression, chi-square, etc.)
Now we have to prepare an experiment of our own, and then present results (comparing them to what theory predicts for the case), any cool idea?

Some examples may be for example, measuring ficticious forces in a rotating system (hard to put in practice), approaching the value of the acceleration of gravity by some cool method, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Orodruin]

Some examples may be for example, measuring ficticious forces in a rotating system (hard to put in practice), approaching the value of the acceleration of gravity by some cool method, etc.

I think you already have some interesting ideas here. For studying motion of different kinds, a video camera of some sort with a known frame rate could come in very handy. Another idea would be to try to study buoyancy or similar things related to Archimedes' principle - this let's you play around with a scale and different fluids in the kitchen, which is never dull. Just putting some ideas out there...

 

[paalfis]

I think you already have some interesting ideas here. For studying motion of different kinds, a video camera of some sort with a known frame rate could come in very handy. Another idea would be to try to study buoyancy or similar things related to Archimedes' principle - this let's you play around with a scale and different fluids in the kitchen, which is never dull. Just putting some ideas out there...

Thanks! Anyway, we do have a lot of very expensive lab instruments to use, the experiment should not be 'domestic' at all! It should be very accourate, but the idea of the experiment can be anything, we can use force sensors, position sensors (for studying motion), Origin or Matlab to process the data, DAQ systems, etc..

 

[andrevdh]

Look through the mechanics section of your Physics handbook for something that you find interesting.

 

[HalfLostAndSearching]

Hello,

As a fellow scientist, I am happy to offer some suggestions for your special research project in Lab 1 of elementary mechanics. One idea could be to investigate the relationship between the mass of an object and its acceleration when subjected to a constant force. This could involve using different masses and measuring their acceleration using a force sensor and motion detector. You could then compare your experimental results to the theoretical predictions of Newton's Second Law.

Another interesting experiment could be to study the motion of a simple pendulum and determine the factors that affect its period. This could involve changing the length of the pendulum, the amplitude of its swing, or the mass of the bob and analyzing the resulting changes in period. Again, you could compare your results to the theoretical predictions of the equations for simple harmonic motion.

Lastly, you could explore the concept of elastic collisions by setting up a track with two carts of different masses and measuring their velocities before and after a collision. This experiment could also involve varying the initial velocities and angles of the carts to observe how they affect the outcome of the collision. You could then use the principles of conservation of momentum and energy to analyze your results and compare them to the theoretical predictions.

I hope these ideas inspire you to come up with a unique and exciting experiment for your special research project. Best of luck!