How Do You Analyze Forces and Motion in a Hot Wheels Lab Experiment?

[pamelaislost]

How would you find fnet if there is no force applied?
does anything happen to the other forces as well?

how do you find the theoretical and actual distances traveled up and down an incline if you have photogate data and need to find the theoretical and actual distance traveled?
should i have measured the distance by hand when i set up the experiment?

 

[chrisk]

Given the information you provided, the following is assumed: frictionless surface and wheel bearings, and no air resistance. Then this is a conservation of energy problem. Initially, the car is at an initial height h0 above the lowest point of the track with an initial velocity of zero. So the stored energy (potential energy) is m*g*h0 where m is the mass of the car, and g is the acceleration of gravity, and the initial kinetic energy is zero (v = 0). When the car is released, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, KE = 1/2mv^2. The sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy must always equal the initial energy, m*g*h0. Therefore, the velocity of the car is only a function of the height. When the car is at the lowest point on the track, all the potential energy has been converted to kinetic energy i.e. m*g*h0 = 1/2mv^2 and solve for v. This is the maximum velocity of the car. Velocity calculations at any height will show that v is independent of the mass of the car so the mass does not need to be measured. Please clarify the forces you are trying to calculate. Is it the normal force while the car is in a 360 degree loop? The mass of the car will be needed for force calculations.

 

[astrokreng]

I would approach this lab by first understanding the concept of force and its relationship to motion. Force is a vector quantity that is defined as any push or pull applied to an object. In the context of this lab, we are dealing with the force applied to a hot wheel car.

If there is no force applied to the hot wheel car, then the net force (fnet) would be equal to zero. This is because the car would not experience any acceleration or change in its motion without an external force acting on it. In order to find fnet, we would need to measure and analyze the forces that are present, such as gravity, friction, and air resistance. By understanding the forces acting on the car, we can determine the net force and predict its motion.

In terms of the other forces, they may still be present even if there is no applied force. For example, gravity is a constant force that is always acting on objects. Friction and air resistance may also be present, depending on the surface and environment the car is on. Therefore, it is important to consider all the forces present in the lab, even if there is no applied force.

To find the theoretical and actual distances traveled up and down an incline, we would need to analyze the photogate data. This data can provide us with the time it takes for the car to travel a certain distance. By using the equation d= 1/2at^2, where d is the distance, a is the acceleration, and t is the time, we can calculate the theoretical distance traveled. To find the actual distance, we would need to measure the distance traveled by hand. The theoretical and actual distances may differ due to factors such as friction and air resistance, which may affect the car's motion.

In conclusion, it is always important to carefully plan and set up experiments, including measuring distances by hand, to ensure accurate and reliable results. By understanding the concept of force and analyzing all the forces present, we can accurately determine fnet and predict the motion of objects.