Inclined plane activity

In this activity you will use tracker to analyse the motion of a dynamic trolley down an inclined plane and determine the effect of friction on the motion. Place a yellow dot on the trolley. This will be used for the software to to track the trolley's movements.

Make sure the angle is not too steep. Measure the sides of the triangle of your set-up to calculate the angle. Video the trolley rolling down the ramp three times, starting from rest.

Using tracker

Draw up the situation on your book labelling all of the forces acting and the components of the gravity acting parallel and normal to the plane.

Analysis

1. Use tracker to find the final velocity of the trolly. Use your three tests to find an average and an uncertainty.

2. Use the SUVAT formulas to determine the acceleration. What assumption are we making to use SUVAT

3. Determine the angle of your ramp using Pythag.

4. Determine the component of the acceleration due to gravity

5. Compare your values for 2 and 4.

6. Determine the force of friction acting on the car.