Solve the Difference in Calculated and Experimental Acceleration

[Ninjarzz]

So we did a lab this week in my physics class.

We had a car on a horizontal table, that was attached to a string with weights (The weights were over the edge of the table.) We then calculated the experimental acceleration and the calculated acceleration. These numbers were different.

My teacher asked us "What was causing the difference between the calculated accel. and experimental acceleration..."
He also mentioned something to do with Newton's laws.

Do you know the answer/Can help me out?

 

[Ninjarzz]

Anyone?

 

[thomate1]

The difference between calculated and experimental acceleration can be attributed to various factors. One possible explanation is human error in measurement or calculation. In physics experiments, it is important to minimize errors and uncertainties in order to obtain accurate results. Another factor could be the presence of external forces that were not accounted for in the calculations, such as friction or air resistance. These forces can affect the acceleration of the car and result in a difference between the calculated and experimental values.

Furthermore, Newton's laws of motion play a significant role in understanding acceleration. The first law states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. In this experiment, the car may have been subject to external forces that were not taken into account in the calculations, leading to a difference in the values.

The second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. Therefore, any discrepancies in the measured forces or mass of the car can also contribute to the difference in calculated and experimental acceleration.

In addition, the third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that the car may have experienced a force in the opposite direction to the applied force, which could have affected its acceleration.

To minimize the difference between calculated and experimental acceleration, it is important to carefully control all variables and consider all possible external forces in the calculations. It is also essential to repeat the experiment multiple times to obtain a more accurate average value.