unit 1 section 1 mechanics activity booklet - edubuzz.org

National 4/5

Unit 1-Dynamics and Space

Activity Booklet

North Berwick High School

Department of Physics

Section 1 Mechanics

PHYSICS National 4 and 5 Dynamics and Space Activities

2

ACTIVITY 1 National 4 Title: Measuring an average speed of a person Aim: To measure some average speeds. Apparatus: Metre stick, measuring tape or trundle wheel. Stopwatch.

Markers or cones to mark Start and Finish points.

Instructions:

Measure out a suitable distance on a safe area of ground. Measure 5 m in a classroom; 10 m in a school corridor; 20 m or

more outside. Using the stopwatch, time how long you or your partner takes to

walk that distance. Repeat the timing for some other activities. Calculate the average speed for each activity. Present your results in a table like this:

Suggested activities: Slow walk brisk walk jogging walking backwards

Activity

Distance travelled (m)

Time taken (s)

Average speed (m/s)

walking

START FINISH

Measure the distance travelled in metres


3

ACTIVITY 2 National 4 Title: Measuring the average speed of a trolley Aim: To measure the average speed of a trolley in motion. Apparatus: Metre stick, ramp placed on a level surface, stopwatch.

Two small markers, Start and Finish points.

Instructions:

Measure out a suitable distance (0.5 m) along the ramp. Give the trolley a push so that it can along to the length of the

ramp. Start the stopwatch when the trolley front passes the Start and

stop it when the trolley front passes the Finish. Calculate the average speed of the trolley as it runs along the

track. Repeat this procedure. Enter your results in a table like this:

Compare your averages speeds. Explain any differences.

Test Distance travelled

(m) Time taken (s)

Average speed (m/s)

1

2

START FINISH

Measure the distance travelled in metres

Stopwatch

ramp Level ramp


4

ACTIVITY 3 National 4 and 5 Title: Measuring human reaction time Aim: To measure your own human reaction

time. Apparatus: One set of reaction time apparatus. Instructions:

Set up the reaction time apparatus. Follow instructions on how to measure your own human reaction

time. Measure your own human reaction time and record five values in

a table like the one below:

Calculate the average value of your reaction time.

Compare your reaction time with those of others and account for any differences.

Test Reaction time

(s)

1

2

3

4

5

Average or mean value


5

ACTIVITY 4 National 4 and 5 Title: Instantaneous speed of a trolley Aim: To measure the instantaneous speed of a trolley in motion. Apparatus: Ramp placed on a slope, trolley with single mask, light gate ALBA and

computer. Instructions:

Place the light gate near the middle of the ramp. Connect up the light gate to the ALBA and computer and set the

computer to measure instantaneous speed. Measure the length of the mask. Release the trolley so that it runs down the ramp and the mask

cuts the light beam. Record the time interval for the mask to cut the light beam, the

instantaneous speed and enter the values into a table like the one below.

Complete speed, distance and time from the problem booklet.

Test Length of mask

(metres m)

Time taken for mask to cut light

beam (s)

Instantaneous speed of trolley

(m/s)

1

2

3

Trolley with single mask

ramp

Light gate ALBA


6

ACTIVITY 5 National 5 Title: Vectors and Scalars Aim: To classify vector and scalar quantities from a list. List of vector and scalar quantities: speed distance velocity acceleration energy time displacement voltage force electric current weight frequency From the list above, place each quantity into the correct column in a table like the one below:

Vector Quantities (require magnitude and

direction) Can be positive or negative

Scalar Quantities (require magnitude only)

Can only be positive


7

ACTIVITY 6 National 5 Title: Orienteering Aim: To measure distance and use a compass to investigate real vector

diagrams. Apparatus: Compass, large protractor, trundle wheel or long measuring tape, washing line. Method: Work in groups of four.

Work outside at one of the outdoor classrooms Plan a route on paper that involves two vectors which each should each be between 5 m long to 20 m long and must be at right angles to each other. Your plan should have a Start position and involve two vector displacements at right angles to one another.

Typical vector diagram:

Instructions: Work in groups of four. Choose a starting position. Place a marker at this position. Pupil

A stands at this position. Pupil B uses compass and measuring tape to follow the first

displacement and then second displacement. Pupil B remains in this Finish position. Use the washing line to ‘draw’ a straight line from pupil A to

pupil B. Pupil C measures the magnitude and resultant displacement from

the Start to the Finish. Pupil D measures the angle or bearing from North (000) using the

compass or the large protractor. On return to the classroom, by scale diagram or using

trigonometry, calculate the resultant displacement including the direction.

Record your resultant displacement on your vector diagram. Complete velocity and displacement from the problem booklet.

Start

Finish

15 m (000)

20 m (090)

Outside, you must follow your planned route.


8

ACTIVITY 7 National 4 and 5 Title: Measuring the acceleration of a trolley directly using ALBA Aim: To measure the acceleration of a trolley using one light gate and a

double mask. Apparatus: Ramp placed at a small angle, trolley with double mask, one light gate

ALBA and computer. Instructions:

Measure the length of the parts P and Q of the double mask. Both parts should be the same width.

Set the ALBA and computer to measure acceleration. Place the light gate at the bottom of the slope. Allow the trolley to run down the slope so that the double mask

will cut the light beam.

Calculate an average value for the acceleration of the trolley down the slope.

Test Acceleration (m/s2)

1

2

3

4

5

Ramp at a small angle

Light gate

ALBA P

Double mask

Q


9

ACTIVITY 8 National 5 Title: Variation of acceleration from rest of a trolley with height Aim: To investigate how the acceleration of a trolley varies with height. Apparatus: Ramp placed at a various angles, trolley with double mask, light gate, ALBA and computer Instructions:

Measure the length of P and Q on the double mask. Set the TSA computer to measure acceleration as the trolley mask cuts the light beam.

Create a method to vary the height of the ramp so the height of the start position of the trolley can be varied.

Set the ramp to a low height at first so that the trolley will accelerate as it runs down the ramp.

Place the light gate at the bottom of the ramp. Keep the light gate in this position during the whole experiment.

Make sure the trolley is at rest at the top of the ramp, then release the trolley and record the acceleration at the bottom of the ramp.

Repeat for four other heights. Enter results into a table like the one below:

Vertical Height (cm)

Acceleration (m/s2)

Double mask

Ramp at various heights

Light gate

ALBA

Use an appropriate format to show the variation of acceleration with height.


10

ACTIVITY 9 National 4 and 5 Title: Car performance Aim: To calculate the acceleration (performance) of a car given data. Data: Information from car specification manuals (given below). Abbreviations: km: kilometres h: hours s: seconds. Units of acceleration: km/h/s (kilometres per hour per

second).

Using the performance information below, calculate the acceleration of each car in km/h/s.

Present your information on car performance in a suitable format.

Complete acceleration from the problem booklet.


11

ACTIVITY 10 National 4 and 5 Title: Speed-time graphs using a motion sensor Aim: To investigate the motion of a trolley on a slope using a motion sensor. Apparatus: Trolley, ramp, motion sensor, graph paper. Instructions: Experiment 1 Investigate the motion of a trolley released from rest as it travels down the ramp. Experiment 2 Investigate the motion of a trolley pushed up the ramp. Use graph paper to draw a speed-time graph of the motion of the trolley in Experiments 1 and 2. Include numerical values on both the speed and time axes.


Motion Sensor

Card detected by motion sensor

Direction of motion


Motion Sensor Direction of

motion


12

Experiment 3 Investigate the motion of a trolley pushed up the ramp and allowed to roll back down the ramp.

National 5 Only Draw a velocity-time graph of the motion of the trolley.


Motion Sensor


13

ACTIVITY 11 National 5 Title: Velocity-time graph of a bouncing ball using a motion sensor Aim: To investigate the motion of a bouncing ball using a motion sensor. Apparatus: Rubber ball, motion sensor, graph paper.

Instructions:

Set up the apparatus as shown above. Place the rubber ball as close to the sensor as possible. Allow the ball to bounce at least once. Obtain a velocity-time graph of the motion of the bouncing ball. Using the graph paper provided, sketch a velocity-time graph of the

motion of the bouncing ball. Label the graph appropriately, including numerical values on the

speed and time axes. Velocity is a vector quantity. Velocity requires a direction. Describe the motion of the bouncing ball that is shown on your

graph.

Complete velocity- time graphs from the problem booklet.

Rubber ball

Motion Sensor

Ground surface


14

ACTIVITY 12 National 4 Title: Using a forcemeter to measure some everyday forces Aim: To measure the value of some forces in newtons, N. Apparatus: Forcemeter (digital or spring type), selection of masses 500 g to 2 kg. Instructions:

Measure the force required to lift, push or pull the objects and record the values and units in the table.

Enter your findings into a table like the one below.

Some examples of forces have already been entered.

Present the information in your table in a suitable format.

No. Experiment Value of force or weight (newtons N)

1 Pulling a book along

the bench

2 Weight of 1 kg mass

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Spring-type Forcemeter


15

ACTIVITY 13 National 4 Title: Measuring the force on a low friction trolley with a sail Aim: To measure the force required to move a low friction trolley with a sail. Apparatus: Forcemeter (digital or spring type), low-friction trolley with sail, electric

fan. Instructions:

Set up the apparatus as shown below.

Experiment 1

Use the electric fan to move the trolley with the sail along the bench.

Draw a diagram of your experiment which shows the pushing force caused by the fan and the force of friction.

Experiment 2

Measure the force required to start the trolley in motion. Measure the force required to maintain constant speed in a straight

line. Account for any difference in the above values.

Experiment 3

Investigate the relationship between the distance between the fan and the trolley with a sail and the force exerted on the sail on the trolley by the fan.

Present your findings as a line graph.

forcemeter

Low friction trolley with a sail

Level ramp

Small electric fan


16

ACTIVITY 14 National 4 Title: Changing the direction of an object using a force Aim: To find out how a force can change the direction of a moving object. Apparatus: A ball of light mass, electric fan and waste paper bin. Instructions:

Set up an arrangement of the apparatus as shown below. The fan, bin and ball should be within a few meters of each other and be placed at the same level (bench height).

The ball should always be thrown in the same direction. Start with the fan switched off. Throw the ball into the bin. The ball

must land in the bin. Switch on the electric fan. Now throw the ball in the same direction

as the first experiment and account for any difference. Reposition the bin so when the ball is thrown it lands in the bin. Draw diagrams of the forces involved in these experiments. Your diagrams should include the names of the forces and their

direction

Electric fan Position bin to catch ball

Ball of light mass

Direction of throw of ball

Direction of force of air from fan


17

ACTIVITY 15 National 4 Title: Using different forces to change the shape of an object Aim: To find out how force can change the shape of an object. Apparatus: Ball of plasticene, selection of weights, mm ruler to measure plasticene

diameter. Newton balance to measure the value of each weight in newtons. Instructions: Set up an arrangement a shown below:

Start each experiment with the plasticene as a smooth, round ball. The change in shape is represented by the diameter of the

plasticene ball. Measure the all weights in units of force, Newtons N. Starting with the lightest weight, place the weight on top of the

plasticene. Measure the diameter in mm of the plasticene ball and enter the

data into a table like the one shown here.

Repeat the procedure for various weights.

Weight in newtons

(N)

Diameter of plasticene ball

(mm)

No weight

mm ruler to measure diameter

Bench top

Place weight on top of plasticene ball


18

ACTIVITY 16 National 4 Title: Reducing the force of friction Aim: To investigate various methods used to reduce the force of friction. Apparatus: Balloon pucks, tray with magnets and polystyrene beads, air track. Instructions: Carry out some experiments where the force of friction has been reduced. Record your observations. Experiment 1: Balloon puck

Slide the balloon puck along the bench without air in the balloon. Repeat the experiment with air in the balloon.

Experiment 2: Tray with polystyrene beads

Slide the masses in the tray without polystyrene beads. Repeat the experiment with polystyrene beads in the tray.

Experiment 3: Block of wood and rollers

Slide the block of along the bench without rollers. Repeat the experiment so that the block runs over a set of rollers.

Experiment 4: Air track

Switch on the flow of air in the air track. Gently give the vehicle a push along the track. From your observations, describe how the force of friction in transport like cars, buses and lorries can be reduced in everyday life.


19

ACTIVITY 17 National 4 and 5 Title: Investigating mass and weight Aim: To establish the relationship between mass and weight. Apparatus: Forcemeter (digital or spring type), selection of masses 500 g to 2 kg. Instructions:

Measure the force required to lift, push or pull the objects and record the values and units in the table.

Enter your findings into a table like the one below.

Some examples of forces have already been entered.

Present the information in your table as a line graph.

Use your graph to establish the relationship between mass and the force of gravity in newtons acting on it.

Mass in kilograms (kg) Weight in newtons (N)

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

Spring-type Forcemeter


20

ACTIVITY 18 National 4 Title: Acceleration due to gravity, mass and weight on the planets and Moon Aim: To obtain and present information on values of g for other planets and

Moon. Apparatus: Bathroom scales calibrated in Newtons. Instructions:

First, using the bathroom scales measure your own weight in Newtons.

Calculate your own mass. Study the value of g for other planets and the Moon in the solar

System in the table below

Calculate your own weight on each of the planets or on the Moon. Enter the data into a table like the one above. Find out the distance of each planet from the Sun. Present all this information on a large drawing of the solar system.

Complete weight from the problem booklet.

Name of planet

Value of g (N/kg)

My mass on this

planet (kg)

My weight on this

planet (N)

Mercury 3.7

Venus 8.9

Earth 9.8

(The Moon) 1.6

Mars 3.7

Jupiter 24.9

Saturn 14.4

Uranus 8.8

Neptune 11.2

Pluto 0.6


21

ACTIVITY 19 National 4 Experiment 1 Title: Balanced forces (Newton’s First Law) Aim: To find out the effect of balanced forces on an object. Apparatus: Two forcemeters and one dynamics trolley. Instructions:

Attach the two forcemeters to the trolley as in the arrows diagram. Slowly increase the force required by each forcemeter to keep the

trolley stationary. Note the readings on the forcemeters and compare them with each

other. Now move the trolley at a steady speed under the control of both

forcemeters and note how the readings compare with each other.

dynamics trolley Level

Pull in this direction with forcemeter

Pull in this direction with forcemeter


22

Experiment 2 Title: More balanced forces Aim: To find out more about balanced forces on an object. Apparatus: One forcemeter and a 1 kg mass. Instructions:

Carry out the following procedure and note your results in a table like the one here.

Hang the 1 kg mass on the forcemeter. Raise the 1 kg mass at a slow and steady speed. Lower the 1 kg mass at a slow and steady speed.

Write a short report explaining the results of the last two experiments.

Activity Downward force (N) Supporting force (N)

1 kg mass stationary

Steady speed upwards

Steady speed downwards

forcemeter

1 kg mass


23

ACTIVITY 20 Demonstration National 4 and 5 Title: Steady speed no forces (Newton’s First Law) Aim: To investigate the effect of balanced forces on an object. Apparatus: Air track and blower, air track vehicle and mask, PASCO Instructions:

Set up and level the air track. Set up PASCO to measure speed. Place the vehicle at one end of the track and give it a gentle push. Examine the speed of the vehicle. What do you observe?

Air in

Levelled air track

Motion Sensor


24

ACTIVITY 21 Demonstration National 5 Title: Force, mass and acceleration (Newton’s Second Law) Aim: To find out what happens when the unbalanced force increases on an

object. Apparatus: Air track and single vehicle with a double mask, light gate ALBA and

computer, pulley and thread, mass carrier with various masses. Extra masses and blue tack.

Instructions: The air track provides a near friction free surface with little resistive forces.

Set up and level the air track. Set up the light gate, ALBA and computer to measure acceleration. The total mass of the moving system must be kept constant. Remove a mass from the vehicle and place it on the mass carrier. Switch on the air supply to the track and allow the mass carrier to

fall downwards. Measure and record the acceleration. Vary the unbalanced force on the vehicle by increasing the number

of masses from 1 to 5. Record your results in a table like this one:

Mass on thread

Force (N) Mass being accelerated

Acceleration (m/s2)

1 1 vehicle

2 1 vehicle

3 1 vehicle

4 1 vehicle

5 1 vehicle

Levelled air track

To ALBA and computer

Light gate

Air from blower

Mass carrier

Pulley and thread

double mask

single vehicle


25

ACTIVITY 22 Demonstration National 5 Title: Force, mass and acceleration (Newton’s Second Law) Aim: To find out what happens when the unbalanced force on an object

stays constant and the mass is increased. Apparatus: Air track and vehicles with a double mask, light gate, ALBA and

computer, pulley and thread, mass carrier with various masses. Extra masses and blue tack.

Instructions: The air track provides a near friction free surface with little resistive forces.

Set up and level the air track. Set up the light gate, ALBA and computer to measure acceleration. Measure the mass of each vehicle. Start with one vehicle. Attach the masses to the thread and hook up

to the vehicle. Switch on the air supply to the track and allow the mass carrier to

fall downwards. Measure and record the acceleration. Vary the mass of the vehicle by adding another vehicle. Keep the

unbalanced force the same. (constant). Record your results in a table like this one:

Unbalanced force

(constant)

Mass being accelerated

Mass of vehicle (kg)

Acceleration (m/s2)

1 1 vehicle

1 2 vehicles

1 3 vehicles

To ALBA and computer

Light gate

Air from blower

Mass carrier

Pulley and thread

double mask

single vehicle

Levelled air track


26

ACTIVITY 23 National 5 Title: Investigating forces First Aim: To investigate the force of friction in air. Apparatus: One sheet of A4 paper, stopclock, metrestick. Instructions:

Set up a marker at a vertical height of 2 meters. Drop the A4 sheet of paper from a height of 2meters. Record the time it takes to reach the floor. Repeat this measurement another two times. Crush the same A4 sheet of paper into a tight ball. Repeat the experiment so that the crushed paper ball falls from a

height of 2 meters. Record the time to reach the ground. Repeat this experiment another two times. Record your measurements in a table like this one.

Explain your findings in terms of forces. Title: Balanced forces and terminal velocity Second Aim: To observe an object acted on by balanced forces moving with a constant velocity. Instructions:

Set up the long tube of liquid. Drop the ball bearing into the liquid. Time how long it takes to reach

the bottom of the long tube. Record your time measurement in a suitable table.

Investigate the time taken for the ball bearing to fall 5 cm at the top of the liquid, 5 cm mid-way in the tube and 5cm at the bottom of the tube.

Compare your results and explain your findings in using the terms: Balanced forces and terminal velocity.

Time taken to fall 2 m (s)

Flat A4 sheet of paper Crushed sheet of A4

1

2

3


27

ACTIVITY 24 National 5 Title: Safety in vehicles Aim: To investigate seat belts and air bags in a car. Apparatus: Model car, ramp, egg, seat belt kit, brick. Instructions: Seat belt

Set up the ramp at a small angle so that the trolley is free to accelerate down the slope.

Place the brick at the bottom of the slope. Place the egg on the trolley. Release the trolley from the top of the slope and allow the trolley

and egg to crash into the brick. Record what happens to the egg. Measure the distance travelled by

the egg after the crash. Repeat the experiment without the seat belt. Using elastic bands, design a seat belt for the egg and repeat the

experiment recording what happens to the egg in a similar crash while wearing a seat belt.

Instructions: Air bag

Design an experiment similar to the one above but using a model air bag to demonstrate that using an air bag reduces injury to the body during a crash.


28

ACTIVITY 25 National 5 Title: Paired forces (Newton’s Third Law) Aim: To identify paired forces. Apparatus: Water rocket kit and air pump, supply of water for fuel. The fuel of the rocket is compressed air and water. Instructions:

Prepare the water rocket for a flight. Fill the rocket up to 1/3 water. Pump air into the rocket until it takes off. Observe the directions of the rocket and fuel mixture (water and

compressed air). Draw a labelled diagram showing the forces on the rocket as it rises

upwards. Write a description about pairs of forces using the terms action and

reaction. Complete Newton’s Laws from the problem booklet.


29

ACTIVITY 26 National 5 Title: Projectiles Aim: To identify the paths taken by projectiles. Apparatus: Hot wheels track and car, light gate, ALBA, computer and sand box. Instructions:

Set up the track as shown below.

The end of the track should be just short of the end of the bench. ALBA should be set to measure instantaneous speed. Release the car down the track. Observe the shape of the path of the car Draw a labelled diagram showing the experiment and path of the

car.

How could you change the speed of the car? How would this affect the horizontal distance travelled by the car? How would this affect the time taken for the car to reach the

ground? Find out and write a conclusion stating your findings


30

ACTIVITY 27 National 5 Title: Projectiles (Monkey and Hunter) Aim: To investigate the vertical motion of projectiles. Apparatus: Monkey hunter apparatus or MIT video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxvsHNRXLjw Catapult apparatus Instructions:

Your teacher will set up the apparatus.

Will the hunter hit the monkey if fires at the same time as the monkey lets go?

Your teacher will demonstrate the catapult apparatus. Explain these results using basic maths.

Complete projectile motion from the problem booklet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxvsHNRXLjw


31

ACTIVITY 28 National 5 Title: Work done and energy transferred Aim: To measure the work done in pulling or lifting a load.

The work done is equal to the energy transferred.

The work done is calculate from EW = F x d for pulling a load. Apparatus: load to pull along the bench or floor, newton balance or force meter,

meter stick Instructions: Pulling a load

Pull a load along the bench or floor. Measure the steady force required by using

the forcemeter. Measure the distance travelled with the meter-

stick. Calculate the work done from EW = F x d Repeat this experiment for different loads and different distances. For each pulling experiment, state the energy transferred.

Instructions: Lifting a load

Lift a load from the floor up on to the bench. Measure the steady force required by using the forcemeter. Measure the height raised with the meter-stick. Calculate the work done against gravity from EW = F x d

(Remember, if you are lifting at a constant speed, the forces will be balanced. The downwards force is weight. So F = W and W = mg.

Repeat this experiment for different loads and different heights raised.

For each experiment, state the energy transferred. Complete work done from the problem booklet.


32

ACTIVITY 29 National 5 Title: Work Done and Potential Energy Aim: To combine the formula for work done (Ew = F d) and weight (W = mg). Apparatus: None.

Objects which have gained height have gained gravitational potential energy. Work has been done to raise the objects through a height. Energy has been transferred to the object to give it potential energy.

Instructions:

To generate Ep = mgh Start with Ew = F d

Replace F with W = mg (since the force required to move an object through a height is equal to its weight)

Replace s with h (since height is a vertical displacement)

Replace Ew with Ep (since the potential energy is the work done to raise the object)

Which results in Ep = mgh

Complete potential energy from the problem booklet.


33

ACTIVITY 30 National 5 Title: Kinetic Energy Aim: To investigate the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and

speed. Apparatus: Linear air track, light gate, TSA computer, vehicles, scales, air blower, 3

elastic bands.

Instructions:

Copy the tables below, and complete them during the teacher demonstration.

Copy and complete the following paragraph.

When more energy is transferred to an object its speed __________ . If the same energy is transferred to an object of increasing mass its speed _______ . The kinetic energy of an object depends on its mass and its speed. Kinetic energy (Ek), mass (m), and speed (ms-1) are related in the formula Ek = ½ m v2.

Complete kinetic energy from the problem booklet.

Mass of vehicle constant Kinetic energy constant Kinetic energy

from Speed of

vehicle (ms-1) Mass of vehicle

(kg) Speed of

vehicle (ms-1) 1 elastic band

2 elastic bands

3 elastic bands

Levelled air track

Light gate

Air from blower

mask catapult


34

ACTIVITY 31 National 5 Title: Potential to Kinetic Energy Aim: To investigate an energy transformation from gravitational potential to

kinetic observing the Principle of Conservation of Energy. Apparatus: Metre stick, square metal plate. sandbox, light gate, alba, computer and

balance.

When an object is dropped its gravitational potential energy changes to kinetic energy.

Instructions:

Measure and note the mass and width of the plate. Set up the apparatus as in the diagram. Position the middle of the plate 1m above the light beam. Drop the plate through the beam. Note the time from the timer. Repeat twice to confirm your results and take an average time. Calculate the gravitational potential energy lost by the plate as it

falls. Calculate the gain in kinetic energy by the plate as it falls. Account for any ‘lost’ kinetic energy.

Complete conservation of energy from the problem booklet.

The object has all potential energy at the top of its journey.

At the bottom all the potential energy has converted to kinetic energy.

On the way down the object is losing potential energy and gaining the same amount of kinetic energy.

unit 1 section 1 mechanics activity booklet - edubuzz.org

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