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uSee2
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Thank you!haruspex said:
Experimental Design: Pulley and Mass Hangers
- Thread starter uSee2
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SUMMARY
The discussion focuses on the experimental design of a pulley system using mass hangers to determine the acceleration due to gravity (g). The original approach involved calculating the rotational inertia of the pulley and using energy conservation principles. However, the correct method, as revealed in the discussion, involves balancing masses on either side of the pulley to measure net force and acceleration, ultimately leading to the calculation of g through the slope of a graph plotting mass difference against acceleration. The setup is identified as an Atwood machine, emphasizing the importance of practical measurement accuracy in experimental physics.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of rotational dynamics, specifically torque and rotational inertia.
- Familiarity with Newton's second law of motion, particularly in the context of mass-spring systems.
- Knowledge of energy conservation principles in mechanical systems.
- Ability to graph data and interpret slopes in the context of physical experiments.
- Study the principles of the Atwood machine and its applications in physics experiments.
- Learn about the calculation of rotational inertia for different shapes, including discs and cylinders.
- Explore methods for measuring acceleration using motion sensors in experimental setups.
- Investigate the effects of pulley mass and diameter on the accuracy of experimental results.
Physics students, educators, and experimental physicists interested in understanding the dynamics of pulley systems and improving measurement techniques in laboratory settings.