Linear Motion Simulation

Theoretical Background

• Free fall refers to the motion of an object falling under the influence of gravity, without any resistance from air. This type of motion is considered to be uniformly accelerated, as the object experiences a constant acceleration due to gravity. 
• However, when an object moves down an inclined plane, the force of gravity acts at an angle to the plane, meaning only a component of the force acts along the plane. As a result, the rate of acceleration is slower than in free fall. 
• By taking the angle of the incline into account, it is possible to calculate the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity. It is worth noting that if there is no friction between the object and the inclined surface, the object will only move under the component of the weight acting along the surface.

Working principle of the linear motion simulation

• In this Kinematics lab, we aimed to determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) by analyzing the motion of a cart on an inclined air track. By minimizing frictional forces through the use of an air track, we were able to focus on the effects of gravity.
• The linear motion simulation involved measuring the time it took for a cart to travel a known distance down an inclined air track. The angle of inclination of the track was carefully measured. By applying the kinematic equations for constant acceleration to the motion of the cart, we calculated the acceleration of the cart down the incline.
• To determine g, we utilized the relationship between the acceleration of the cart, the angle of inclination, and the acceleration due to gravity. The calculated value of g was then compared to the accepted value of 9.80 m/s².