Required Practical - Effects on Acceleration

Investigating How Force Affects Acceleration

This practical explores Newton’s Second Law of Motion – to determine how the acceleration of an object varies when the force acting on it is changed (keeping mass constant).

Apparatus

Air track and air blower (to minimise friction)
Air track glider
Bench pulley
String
Slotted masses (e.g. 20g, 30g, 40g)
Two light gates
Ruler (for distance and card length)
Interrupt card (attached to glider, known length such as 0.10 m)

Method

Set up the air track on a level bench with a pulley at one end.
Connect the glider to a hanging mass using a light string that runs over the pulley.
Attach an interrupt card to the glider so it passes through both light gates before the hanging mass reaches the floor.
Ensure the air track is switched on to create an air cushion that reduces friction.
Add a total hanging mass of 100 g.
Release the glider and record the acceleration shown by the data logging software.

Method (continuation)

Repeat the test twice more and calculate a mean acceleration.
Reduce the hanging mass each time (e.g. to 80 g, 60 g, 40 g, and 20 g) and repeat the process for each value of force.
Record all force and acceleration values.

Analysis

Plot a graph of acceleration (y-axis) against force (x-axis).
Draw a line of best fit through your data points.
If the results are accurate, the line should pass through the origin and show a directly proportional relationship.
- As force increases, acceleration increases at a constant rate.
Check if the results support Newton’s Second Law:
- $F=m$$ x $$a$

Safety Precautions

Faulty wiring may cause electric shock or fire – Inspect cables and plugs for damage before switching on.
Falling masses or glider could cause bruising or foot injury, so use small masses or stand back once the glider is released.

Investigating How Mass Affects Acceleration

This experiment explores Newton’s Second Law, focusing on how the acceleration of an object changes when its mass varies but the applied force remains constant.

Apparatus

Air track and blower (to reduce friction)
Glider with an interrupt card
Pulley and light string
Slotted masses
Two light gates and data logging software
Ruler or digital scale for measuring
Power supply for air track

Method

Set up the air track on a flat surface, with a pulley at one end.
Attach the glider to a hanging mass using a string.
Keep the pulling force constant (e.g. use a hanging mass of 100 g).
Begin with the glider’s base mass and add slotted masses one by one to increase its total mass.

Method (continuation)

For each trial:
- Release the glider from rest.
- Measure its acceleration using two light gates connected to a data logger.
- Record the total mass (glider + added masses) and acceleration.
Repeat each run twice more to obtain a reliable mean acceleration value.

Analysis

Convert all measured masses to kilograms (kg).
For each test, calculate the reciprocal of mass (1/m).
- Example: For a mass of 0.1 kg, 1/m = 10 kg^-1
Plot a graph of acceleration (y-axis) against 1/mass (x-axis).
Draw a line of best fit and interpret the pattern.

Evaluation

As the total mass decreases (so 1/m increases), the acceleration should increase.
A direct proportional relationship between acceleration and 1/mass supports Newton’s Second Law.
Ideally, the graph should form a straight line through the origin.
Check whether your data supports the predicted relationship.
Identify and discuss any anomalous results.

Safety Precautions

Ensure power cables are not frayed or exposed to avoid electrical shock or fire.
Falling masses or glider could cause bruising or foot injury – Use small masses or stand back once the glider is released.

1Energy

1.1Energy Changes

1.2Energy Losses & Efficiency

1.2.1Energy Wastage

1.2.2Energy Efficiency

1.2.3Reducing Energy Loss

1.2.4Power & Energy Transfer

1.2.5Required Practical - Investigating Insulation

1.2.6Efficiency - Calculations

1.2.7Grade 9 - Energy & Efficiency

1.3Energy Resources

1.3.1Energy Resources

1.3.2Fossil Fuels

1.3.3Geothermal Energy

1.3.4Wind Energy

1.3.5Water Energy

1.3.6Tidal Energy

1.3.7Nuclear Energy

1.3.8Solar Energy

1.3.9Original Source of Energy

1.3.10Non-Renewable & Renewable Resources

1.3.11Uses of Energy Sources

1.3.12Changing Electricity Use

1.3.13Renewable Energy

1.3.14Limits to Renewable Energy Resources

1.3.15End of Topic Test - Energy

1.3.16Exam-Style Questions - Energy

2Electricity

2.1Electric Charge

2.1.1Circuit Diagrams

2.1.2Circuit Symbols

2.1.3Current

2.1.4Current Equation

2.1.5Current - Calculations

2.1.6Conductors

2.1.7Electrical Conductors - Electrons

2.1.8Potential Difference

2.1.9Voltage Equation

2.1.10Measurements in Circuit

2.1.11Voltage - Calculations

2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Powering a Circuit

2.2Resistance & Electrical Work

2.2.1Resistance

2.2.2Measuring Resistance

2.2.3Resistance Graph

2.2.4Diodes

2.2.5LDRs & Thermistors

2.2.6Electrical Work

2.2.7Power

2.2.8Ohm's Law

2.2.9Ohm's Law - Equation

2.2.10Resistance & Ohms Law - Calculations

2.2.11Electrical Work - Calculations

2.2.12Required Practical - Investigating Resistance

2.3Electric Circuits

2.3.1Series Circuits

2.3.2Resistors

2.3.3Required Practical - I–V Characteristics

2.3.4Cells in Series

2.3.5Series Circuits - Calculations

2.3.6Parallel Circuits

2.3.7Parallel Current

2.3.8Parallel Resistance

2.3.9Lights in Parallel

2.3.10Parallel Circuits - Calculations

2.3.11Grade 9 - Circuits

2.3.12Exam-Style Questions - Electricity

2.4Electricity in Homes

2.4.1AC/DC

2.4.2Mains Electricity

2.4.3Power Ratings

2.4.4National Grid

2.4.5Domestic Uses - Calculations

2.4.6Fuses & Circuit Breakers

2.4.7Fuse Ratings

2.4.8Earthing

2.4.9Dangers of the Live Wire

2.4.10End of Topic Test - Electricity

2.5Static Electricity

2.5.1Electrical Charge

2.5.2Charging an Object

2.5.3Charged Objects

2.5.4Static Electricity

2.5.5Electric Fields

2.5.6Field Diagrams

3Particle Model of Matter

3.1States of Matter

3.1.1Atomic Model

3.1.2Atomic Structure

3.1.3Sub-Atomic Particles

3.1.4Models of the Atom

3.1.5Alpha Particles

3.1.6Electron Arrangements

3.1.7Density

3.1.8Density Equation

3.1.9Density & the Particle Model

3.1.10Density - Calculations

3.1.11Changes of State

3.1.12Melting & Boiling

3.1.13Exam-Style Questions - Density

3.1.14Required Practical - Density

3.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Floating

3.1.16Diagnostic Misconceptions - Volume

3.2Heat

3.2.1Internal Energy

3.2.2Change in Thermal Energy

3.2.3Required Practical - Specific Heat Capacity

3.2.4Equation for Heat Capacity

3.2.5Leslie's Cube

3.2.6Internal Energy - Calculations

3.2.7Melting & Boiling

3.2.8Latent Heat

3.2.9Energy Change for Change of State

3.2.10Latent Heat - Calculations

3.2.11Specific Latent Heat of Fusion

3.2.12Specific Latent Heat of Vaporisation

3.3Particle Motion in Gases

3.3.1States of Matter

3.3.2Properties of Gases

3.3.3Temperature Increase in a Gas

3.3.4Work Done on a Gas

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.6Grade 9 - Particle Model of Matter

3.3.7Exam-Style Questions - Specific Heat Capacity

4Atoms & Radiation

4.1Atoms

4.1.1Atomic Model

4.1.2Structure of an Atom

4.1.3Sub-Atomic Particles

4.1.4Alpha Particles

4.1.5The Model of the Atom

4.1.6Electron Arrangements

4.1.7Proton & Nucleon Numbers

4.1.8Atoms & Ions

4.1.9Isotopes 1

4.1.10Isotopes 2

4.1.11Carbon Nuclides

4.1.12Exam-Style Questions - Atomic Structure

4.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Radiation

4.2Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.1.1Velocity

5.1.2Average Speed

5.1.3Adding Vectors

5.1.4Acceleration

5.1.5Distance vs Displacement

5.1.6Contact & Non-Contact Forces

5.1.7Contact Forces - Examples

5.1.8Distance-Time Graphs

5.1.9Speed-Time Graphs

5.1.10Velocity - Time Graph

5.1.11Average Speed - Calculations

5.1.12Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.13Uniform Acceleration - Calculations

5.1.14Grade 9 - Motion

5.1.15Exam-Style Questions - Motion

5.1.16Diagnostic Misconception - Motion

5.1.17Diagnostic Misconceptions - Acceleration

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

5.4.1Pressure & Force on Container

5.4.2Atmospheric Pressure

5.4.3Liquid Pressure

5.4.4Pressure - Calculations

5.4.5Liquid Pressure - Calculations

5.4.6Upthrust

5.4.7Depth Control of Submarine

5.4.8Pressure Difference

5.4.9End of Topic Test - Forces

5.4.10Exam-Style Questions - Pressure

6Waves

6.1Wave Basics

6.1.1Wave Basics

6.1.2Wave Speed Formula

6.1.3Wave Speed Equation

6.1.4Wave Speed - Calculations

6.1.5Wave Frequency Formula

6.1.6Wavelength & Amplitude

6.1.7Wave Frequency - Calculations

6.1.8Transverse Waves

6.1.9Longitudinal Wave

6.1.10Required Practical - Ripple Tank

6.1.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wavelength

6.2Waves at a Boundary

6.2.1Waves at a Boundary

6.2.2Waves at a Boundary 2

6.2.3Reflection of Light

6.2.4Refraction of Light

6.2.5Refraction of Light 2

6.2.6Internal Reflection

6.2.7Required Practical - Reflection and Refraction

6.3Sound Waves

6.3.1Sound Waves

6.3.2Sound Waves & our Ears

6.3.3Speed of Sound 1

6.3.4Speed of Sound 2

6.3.5Sound as a Wave

6.3.6Uses of Sound Waves: Ultrasound Waves

6.3.7Uses of Sound Waves: Earthquakes

6.3.8Sound Waves - Calculations

6.3.9End of Topic Test - Introduction to Waves

6.3.10Exam-Style Questions - Wave Speed

6.4Electromagnetic Waves

6.4.1Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

6.4.2Gamma Rays

6.4.3X-Rays

6.4.4UV Light

6.4.5Infrared Radiation

6.4.6Microwaves

6.4.7Radio Waves

6.4.8Properties 2

6.4.9Visible Light

6.4.10Visible Light 2

6.4.11Specular & Diffuse Reflection

6.4.12Colours

6.4.13Grade 9 - Waves

6.5Lenses

6.5.1Lenses

6.5.2Convex Lens

6.5.3Concave Lens

6.5.4Lenses - Calculations

6.5.5Images

6.5.6Ray Diagrams

6.5.7Ray Diagrams 2

6.6Heat & Radiation

6.6.1Infrared Radiation

6.6.2Radiation & Surface Colour

6.6.3Surface Area & Temperature

6.6.4Temperature

6.6.5Absorption & Emission

6.6.6Greenhouse Effect

6.6.7Energy Balance of the Earth

6.6.8End of Topic Test - EM Waves, Lenses & Heat

6.6.9Exam-Style Questions - EM Radiation

7Magnetism

7.1Magnetism Basics

7.1.1Magnetism

7.1.2Magnetic Materials

7.1.3Induced Magnetism

7.1.4Magnetic Fields

7.1.5Magnetic Field Patterns

7.2Electromagnetism

7.2.1The Magnetic Effect of a Current

7.2.2Solenoid Field

7.2.3Magnetic Field Strength

7.2.4Uses of Electromagnets

7.2.5Motor Effect

7.2.6Direction of Motor Effect

7.2.7Magnetic Flux Equation

7.2.8Magnetic Flux - Calculations

7.2.9Electric Motors

7.2.10Loudspeakers

7.2.11Force Acting on a Coil in a Magnetic Field

7.2.12Induced Potential Difference

7.2.13Increasing the Induced Potential Difference

7.2.14Magnetic Field Direction

7.2.15Forces Between Electricity & Magnets

7.2.16AC/DC

7.2.17AC Generators

7.2.18Generator Effect

7.2.19Microphones

7.3Transformers

7.3.1Transformers

7.3.2Transformer Equation

7.3.3Step-Up & Step-Down Transformers

7.3.4Principles of Transformer Operation

7.3.5High-Voltage Transmission & Transformers

7.3.6Energy in Transformers

7.3.7Power Losses in Cables

7.3.8Transformers - Calculations

7.3.9Transformers 2 - Calculations

7.3.10End of Topic Test - Magnetism

7.3.11Grade 9 - Transformers

7.3.12Exam-Style Questions - Magnetic Fields

8Astrophysics

8.1Astrophysics

8.1.1The Solar System

8.1.2The Sun

8.1.3The Solar System - Calculations

8.1.4Orbits

8.1.5Stable Orbits

8.1.6Orbits HyperLearning

8.1.7Life Cycle of a Star like the Sun

8.1.8Life Cycle of a Star Much Bigger than the Sun

8.1.9Creation of Elements

8.1.10Red-shift

8.1.11The Big Bang Theory

8.1.12Gaps in Knowledge

8.1.13End of Topic Test - Astrophysics

8.1.14Exam-Style Questions - Astrophysics

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