Balthazar Torres, Christopher Simeone,

Evan Pelfrey, Nikolai Noray, Mike H

Phys 111A-004
February 6th 2019

Report Lab 109: One Dimensional Motion

Objective
To measure the one dimensional acceleration of an object moving down an inclined
plane using one type of apparatus, and then use another to calculate and compare the
accelerations. We will also be able to learn how to determine the values of velocity and
acceleration from displacement and time measured in the experiment.

Experimental Procedure
Equipment:
● Computer and interface
● Air track
● Wooden block
● Glider
● Photo gates on stands
● Motion detector on stand

Procedure
Part one
1. Put the block under the far side of the air track so that the entire track is on an incline
2. Connect the photogates to the computer and attach them to the track, with the first one
.3 meters away from the start, and the second .5 meters away
3. Turn on the air compressor and put the glider on the track
4. Release the glider and let the photogates track its movements
5. Take note of the time at each gate, the acceleration at each gate, and the distance
between gates
6. Repeat after moving the second gate .25 farther down the track. Continue until second
gate is at 1.75 meters

Part Two
1. With the track still at an incline, place the motion detector on the raised side of the track
and tilt it at the same angle as the track, so they are level
2. Place the glider at the top and turn the compressor on
3. Release the glider and let the computer track the movement
4. Record the acceleration

Results
Balthazar Torres, Christopher Simeone,
Evan Pelfrey, Nikolai Noray, Mike H
Phys 111A-004
February 6th 2019

Position Position Distance Time Time Time Velocity Velocity

of first of second between at at between at gate at gate
photogate photogate the gates gate 1 gate 2 gates 1 (m/s) 2 (m/s)
(meters) (meters) (meters) (secs) (secs) (secs)

.3 meters .5 .2 .170 .099 .296 .585 .808

.3 meters .75 .45 .170 .097 .597 .585 1.026

.3 meters 1 .7 .170 .083 .818 .586 1.194

.3 meters 1.25 .95 .171 .074 1.025 .583 1.35

.3 meters 1.5 1.2 .171 .067 1.205 .585 1.487

.3 meters 1.75 1.45 .170 .062 1.363 .586 1.61

Trial Recorded Calculated

acceleration acceleration
(m/s2) (m/s2)

1 .754 .776

2 .741 .789

3 .738 .773

4 .745 .779

5 .748 .779

6 .753 .776

𝑣𝑓2 −𝑣𝑖2
Using the equation = 𝑎, the average acceleration was calculated from the
2𝛥𝑥
data from the gate trial, which was approximately .747 m/s2. This was then found and compared
to the values recorded by the motion sensor which averaged approximately .779 m/s2. This
resulted in an average percent error of 4.28%.

Discussion
Balthazar Torres, Christopher Simeone,
Evan Pelfrey, Nikolai Noray, Mike H
Phys 111A-004
February 6th 2019
To recap, we determined the acceleration of the glider moving down an air track and
compared the data by using two forms of measurements: photogates and a motion sensor. Two
photogates were used to measure the velocities and time between two points. The acceleration
would then be calculated by using an equation, which was then compared to the acceleration
that was recorded by the motion sensor. In both these parts of the lab, the resulting
accelerations were somewhat consistent, staying within a margin of about at least .02 m/s2 of
each other, meaning that after accounting for errors, the true acceleration should be near the
average of all those values.

Conclusion
From these results, we now know that with no forces other than gravity acting on an
object, the acceleration will be constant. We also know the relationships between time, distance,
acceleration, and velocity. For another lab, we may want to increase the number of trials to try
and increase the accuracy of the measurements and calculations.