Solving A-Level Physics Equation: Calculate Acceleration, Initial/Final Velocity

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joeirvin
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
To calculate acceleration, initial velocity, or final velocity in the described A-Level Physics experiment, the relevant equations include Newton's second law (F=ma) and kinematic equations. Given the mass of the vehicle is 410 grams and the distance between the light gates is 0.89 meters, the average times for each mass can be used to determine acceleration. The force acting on the vehicle can be calculated based on the mass and acceleration, allowing for further calculations of velocity. Utilizing these principles will enable the completion of the coursework effectively.
Joeirvin
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
I am studying A Level Physics, and for a piece of coursework i conducted an experiment using an air track. It involved using masses on a piece of string to pull a vehicle. I had two light gates set up to measure the time from a to b, however the first light gate was not set so that the initial velocity was zero..

Could anyone give me an equation to work out either, acceleration, initial velocity, or final velocity?

The masses go at intervals as follows, these are in grams..
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200

The average time for each of these is shown below (the same order as above) all of these are in seconds..

1.772
1.004
0.82
0.616
0.54
0.508
0.472
0.45
0.436
0.414


The distance between the two gates is 0.89m and the mass of the vehicle is 410grams


Any help would be great thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What force will be acting on the vehicle? Once you know the force you can work out the acceleration and use the kinematic equations.
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top