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Experiment 5
NEWTON’S SECOND LAW OF MOTION ON THE ATWOOD MACHINE
DATA TABLE
Trial Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Average time, t (s) 1.195 s 0.98 s 0.85 s
Heavier mass, m2 (g) 27.6 g 32.6 g 37.7 g
Lighter mass, m1 (g) 22.5 g 22.5 g 22.5 g
Distance, s (cm) 73 cm 73 cm 74 cm
Value of ‘a’ from
102.24 cm/s2 152.02 cm/s2 204.84 cm/s2
equation 1 (cm/s2)
Value of ‘a’ from
99.86 cm/s2 179.82 cm/s2 247.69 cm/s2
equation 2 (cm/s2)
Percent Difference (%) 2.35% 16.76% 18.94%

CALCULATIONS
Trial 1
2 s 2(73)
a 1= 2
= 2
=102.24 cm/s 2
t 1.195
m2−m1 27.6−22.5 2
a 2= ∗g= ∗981=99.86 cm/ s
m1 +m 2 27.6+22.5

| | | |
a1−a 2 102.24−99.86
PD= ∗100= ∗100=2.35 %
a1 +a2 102.24+ 99.86
2 2

Trial 2
2 s 2(73)
a 1= 2
= 2
=152.02 cm/ s 2
t 0.98
m2−m1 32.6−22.5 2
a 2= ∗g= ∗981=179.82 cm/ s
m1 +m 2 32.6+22.5

| | | |
a1−a 2 152.02−179.82
PD= ∗100= ∗100=16.76 %
a1 +a2 152.02+179.82
2 2

Trial 3
2 s 2(7 4)
a 1= 2
= 2
=204.84 cm/s 2
t 0.85
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m −m1 37.7−22.5
a 2= 2 ∗g= ∗981=247.69 cm/ s 2
m1 +m 2 37.7+22.5

| | | |
a1−a 2 204.84−247.69
PD= ∗100= ∗100=18.94 %
a1 +a2 204.84+247.69
2 2

DATA ANALYSIS
As we can see in the following trials, as the mass to be added on the other end of the string
(where the other end has the lighter mass) getting heavier, the time taken for the heavier mass to
reach the bottom of the motion becomes faster. From the equation 1 of the acceleration given, we
can conclude that acceleration is inversely proportional to the time taken which also being shown in
our data table. As the time goes down or decreases, the acceleration we have goes up or increases.
We can also see difference in terms of the acceleration obtained from equation 1 and 2 since they
have different parameters to be considered (Equation 1 are the distance and time while on Equation 2
are in terms of masses and the gravitational force).
CONCLUSIONS
As per conclusion, different magnitude of acceleration can be obtained as the parameters used
are different in each equation. Also, we can improve the experiment by having more accurate values
and measuring procedure in each parameter. Also, taking the consideration of the value used since
gravitational force can be assumed as 9.81 m/s 2 which is globally used and not obtained through the
same experiment done. Otherwise, with this experiment, it is visible for us that changing the heavier
mass will result to change in acceleration as well as the 2 nd law of motion relies on two variables, the
force acting on the object which is the tension from the string and masses of the objects which varies
from trial to trial. Increasing the net force acting on the system will make the acceleration increases as
the equation suggest from F=ma to a=F /m (where acceleration is directly proportional to Forces),
which defines the said law of motion.
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QUESTIONS
1. Explain the difference in the results of the two equations of acceleration used in the
experiment.
Answer: Difference in the results is seen as they are both having the different parameters to be
computed. Equation 1 requires both time taken and the distance from the surface while
Equation 2 requires the masses of the objects.
2. In the experiment, if friction were present between the shaft and pulley, will the system have a
greater or lesser acceleration that when it has no friction? Why?
Answer: By analyzation, the tension of the wire where the heavier mass is being hanged, is
affected by the mass and weight of the heavier mass. Having no tension between the shaft
and pulley will make the tension from heavier mass equal to the tension present in the wire
bringing up the lighter mass. If there will be friction, tensions on both sides will not be equal
to each other. Hence, tension that will be delivered on the side of lighter mass will be reduced
because of the friction, and when net force acting on the system decreases, the acceleration
also decreases.
3. A stalled 1,000 kg car needs a push. Starting from rest, how hard do you have to push to get it
up to 10 m/sec in 100 seconds?
Answer:
Equation from kinematics:
V f =V i +at

m m
10 =0 + a(100 s)
s s
10 2
a= =0.1 m/ s
100
Equation from 2nd law of motion:
F=ma
2
F=1000 kg∗0.1 m/s

F=100 kg−m/s 2=100 Newton

100 N or 100 Newton
4. A ball of mass m1 and a block of mass m2 are attached by a lightweight cord that passes over a
frictionless pulley of negligible mass, as shown in the Figure 1.1. The block lies on a
frictionless incline of angle θ .
a) Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the two object and the tension in the cord.
b) What happens in this situation if the angle θ=90 °
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c) What happens if the mass m1 ¿ 0?

Answer:
Free Body Diagram for mass 1
∑ F y =ma
T a
T −W 1=m1 a

T =W 1 +m 1 a
W1
T =m 1 g+ m1 a

Free Body Diagram for mass 2 (rotate by θ counterclockwise)

N ∑ F x =ma
T a −T + W 2 sinθ=m 2 a

−T + m 2 g sin θ=m2 a
W2
θ m 2 g sin θ−m 2 a=T

Both Tensions are equal so:

m2 g sin θ−m2 a=m1 g+ m1 a

m 2 g sin θ−m 1 g=m1 a+ m2 a

m2 g sin θ−m1 g=a(m1 +m2)

m2 g sin θ−m1 g
a=
m 1+ m2
m2 sin θ−m1
a=g ×
m1 +m2
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T =m1 g+ m1 a

T =m1 g+ m1 g ×
( m2 sinθ−m1
m1+ m2 )
T =m1 g × 1+ ( m2 sin θ−m1
m1 +m2 )
(
T =g × m 1+
m1 m2 sin θ−m21
m1+ m2 )
( )
2 2
m1 +m1 m2 +m1 m2 sin θ−m1
T =g ×
m1+ m 2

T =g ×
( m1 m2 ( 1+sin θ )
m1 +m2 )
If θ=90 °
m2 sin 90−m 1 m2−m1
a=g × =g × which is with the same formula used in the
m1 +m2 m1 +m 2
experiment.
Also, the setup will be like this as well.

W1 W2

θ=90

If m1=0 , mass on the inclined will go down as there is no friction stated.

m2 sin θ−0 m2 sin θ
a=g × =g × =g sin θ
0+ m 2 m2

T =g ×
( 0+ m2 )
0∗m 2 ( 1+ sinθ )
=0