27-Feb- 2017: (Lab 1) Finding a relationship between mass and period for an inertial balance

(Finding a relationship between mass and period) 

Jesus Gonzalez 

Partners: 

Date: February-27-2017 

Statement/ Purpose: the purpose of this lab is to measure the period of oscillation of different masses. Also we use that data in order to calculate the relationship between period and added masses. we also apply this model to determine the masses of other objects.

Intro: the tray we used oscillated back and forth. the more mass that the object had the less it oscillated and the less mass the objects had the least it oscillated. this object was used to measure mass and period of oscillation. They are both related to each other by the formula: T=A(m+mtray)^n. In this formula the T=Perios, A=a constant, M= mass, mtray= the mass of the tray used. we make this equation in to a linear equation (y=mx+b) by using the natural logarithm (LnT=nLn(m+mtray)+LnA.

We used different masses, a tray (the inertial balance) to hold the masses, and a motion detector (photagate)for this lab. 

Data: 

We recorded the period of no mass in the tray and then we calculated it with more and more mass (100g-800g) (as shown in the work above) 

we then made a T v.s. Ln(m+mtray) graph Lis graph gave us a straight line as shown in the picture above. 

After that we calculated the mass of unknown objects 

Conclusion: the model we used was made to calculate the mass of an object. Even though this lab helped with finding the mass of an object. we came to the conclusion that there was in fact multiple uncertainties in this experiment. One example of uncertainty was that not all the objects were placed in the same position as the other, also it is not possible that the masses could have been calculated at the same time as the others creating uncertainty. 

08-March-2017: (Lab 4) Lab 3 Non- Constant acceleration problem/ Activity

Lab3  Non- Constant acceleration problem/ Activity

Author: Jesus Gonzalez 

Lab Partners: Stephanie, Roya 

Lab Date: March 8 2017 

Statement/ Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to use calculus and excel in order to find how far the elephant goes before coming to rest. In the lab given to us we are shown an analytical way of doing the lab. It walks you through every step you have to go to in order to come to your answer. The lab also shows us the numerical approach that we can take using excel. 

Theory/Intro: The lab shows the math/ calculus used to calculate the distance traveled by the elephant.  The Analytical approach for this was already given to us in the beginning of the lab. The purpose of this lab was to be able to get the same calculations in a much more efficient manner using the same formulas inputted into excel.  

Summary: If this lab was solved in an analytical approach then Newtons 2nd law would be used to get an acceleration to integrate to find the change in v and then derive to find an equation for v(t). then you would integrate to find the the change in x and derive to find an equation for x(t). After that you would find the time to be able to find how far the elephant i going before coming to rest. The math used (as shown below) gives an answer of x= 248.7m 

Data:

Conclusions:  even though both approaches gave us the same answers (x= 248.7 and t= 19.7s) we concluded that the numerical approach to this problem was far easier than doing all the work in that analytical approach. Excel let you use the formulas and set them up in a way that made them be used multiple amounts of time in order to create more data.