Experiment 1

MEASUREMENT: CLOSED POLYGON

OBJECTIVE:
 To determine the resultant displacement by closed polygon method by applying simple measurements using your
body as a tool of measurement.

APPARATUS and MATERIALS: Bring the following, by group

 1 pc pencil, 1 pc protractor, 1 pc magnetic compass, 2 pcs intermediate paper, 1 pc ruler, 1 stop watch (or your cp),
1 pc each red, blue, black and green ballpens.

PROCEDURE:
(IMPORTANT: LOCATE ALWAYS THE NORTH POINT OF THE UNIVERSITY AT EACH STATION)
1. Starting at the Eagle’s circle (station #1), move to your assigned station #2 by walking and count the number of
steps you make until you reach station #2 and record the displacement you made and its direction (bearing) and
time of travel from station #1 to station #2.
2. Continue doing so until you reach the last station #4.
3. Transfer your measurements (using rate) graphically on a graphing paper and measure the magnitude and direction
of the resultant R using a ruler and a protractor.

(1) (2)

(2)

(2)

4. Solve the same resultant R by components method.

𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 − 𝑅𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
5. Solve for % error. % error = (100%)
𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
Table of Result:
Group # ___ Station #1 to Station Station #2 to Station Station #3 to Station Station #4 to Station
#2 #3 #4 #1 (R)
# of Steps
Direction (bearing)
Time, s
Rate, steps/time

Components Method and % Error Computations:

Attach Graphical Solution

 Experiment 2
AVERAGE vs. INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITIES

OBJECTIVE:
 To investigate one-dimensional accelerated motion.

APPARATUS: dynamics cart, meter stick, and stopwatch

PROCEDURE:
1. Roughly determine the range of the cart by pushing the spring plunger against the wall. Then, clearly mark a
distance “d” that is about half way out from the start. Measure this distance and record.
2. Launch the cart by pushing its plunger against the wall. Record t1 (time required to cover the distance “d”), T
(total elapsed time from launch to stop) and D (total distance covered by the cart). Make 5 trials.
3. Do the calculations needed to complete the table.

DATA AND RESULTS:

d = ___________ cm

Trial Experimental Values Calculated Values Theoretical % Error

t1 (sec) T (sec) D (sec) vi(m/s) a(m/s2) t1 (sec)

5
Formulas
(a) for Calculated Values:
2D 2D
vi = T a = T2
(b) solve for t1 for Theoretical value:
1
d = vi t1 + 2 at1 2
(c) solve for the % error between Theoretical t1 and Experimental t1.

CALCULATIONS:

CONCLUSION:
QUESTIONS & PROBLEMS:

1. Is there a systematic difference between the experimental and theoretical values of t1? If so, suggest possible
factors that would account for this difference.

2. Can you think of a simple follow-up experiment that would allow you to determine how much the cart’s
“deceleration” was affected by floor slope?
 Experiment 3
FREELY FALLING BODIES

OBJECTIVE:
 To study the motion of a freely falling body.

APPARATUS: 1 pc PhP10.00-coin, 1 pc marble, 1 pc ping-pong ball, 1 pc yellow paper (crumpled), meter stick, stopwatch,
weighing scale

PROCEDURE:
 Determine the mass of the different objects used.
 Set and measure a height measurement to which the objects will fall (if possible, objects must fall from a high
altitude).
 Drop each object and record the time.
 Compute the velocity as it strikes the ground.
 Compute also for the value of “g”.

DATA AND RESULTS:

Trial Mass, gm Distance (y), m Time (t), s Velocity (v), m/s Acceleration (g), m/s2

Formulas: vf = vi + gt y = vit + ½gt2

COMPUTATION:
QUESTIONS & PROBLEMS:
1. What factors affect the values of acceleration due to gravity?

2. What are some examples of falling objects for which it would be unreasonable to neglect the effects of air?

3. With what velocity must a ball thrown vertically upward in order to rise to a height of 20 m? How long will it be in the
air?

4. A boy lets go off a tree 10 ft. high and falls freely. What is his speed in cm/s at the end of 0.5 s? How far in cm does
he fell during this time?
 Experiment 4
PROJECTILE MOTION

OBJECTIVE:
1. To investigate the independence of horizontal and vertical components of motion
2. To predict the landing point of a projectile.

MATERIALS:
Ramp (made of cartoon/Styrofoam) or Hot wheels track; cleaned empty can;
½-inch (or larger) steel ball (or marble); meterstick;
plumb line; stopwatch; tape
.

PROCEDURE:
1. Assemble your ramp. Make it as sturdy as possible so the steel balls roll smoothly & reproducibly, as shown in
figure below. The ramp should not sway or bend. The ball must leave the table horizontally. Make the horizontal
part of the ramp at least 20 cm long. The vertical height of the ramp should be at least 30 cm.

2. Use a stopwatch to measure the time it takes ball to travel, from the first moment it reaches the level of the tabletop
(point A in the figure) to the time it leaves the tabletop (point B in the figure). Divide this time interval into the the
horizontal distance on the ramp (from point A to point B) to find the horizontal speed. Release the ball from the
same point (marked with tape) on the ramp for each of three runs.
Do not permit the ball to strike the floor! Record the average horizontal speed of the three runs.

Horizontal speed = __________________

3. Using a plumb line & a string, measure the vertical distance h the ball must drop from the bottom end of the ramp in
order to land in an empty can on the floor.
h = __________________
 4. Using the appropriate equation from the discussion, find the time t it takes the ball to fall from the bottom end of the
ramp and land in the can. Write the equation that relates h and t.

Equation for vertical distance: ______________________

t = __________________

5. The range is the horizontal distance of travel for a projectile. Predict the range of the ball. Write the equation you
used and your predicted range.

Equation for range: _________________________

Predicted range, R: __________________________

Place the can on the floor where you predict it will catch the ball.

ANALYSIS:
1. Should the height of the can be taken into account when measuring the vertical distance h? If so, make your
measurements accordingly.

2. Compare the actual range of the ball with your predicted range. Compute the % error.

3. What may cause the ball to miss the target?

 Experiment 5
NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTIONINERTIA

OBJECTIVE:
To demonstrate how Newton’s first law of motion is involved in collision.

MATERIALS:
4-m string; 2-dynamic carts ; 2-200g hook masses
rubber band; 2-pulleys; 2-wood blocks
2-small dolls

DISCUSSION:
Newton’s first law of motion states that an object in motion keeps moving with constant velocity until a force
is applied to that object. Seat belts in automobiles and other vehicles are a practical response to Newton’s first law
of motion. This activity demonstrates in miniature what happens when that important law is ignored.

PROCEDURE:
1. Attach 2 m of string to each of two small dynamics carts. Attach a 200-g mass to the other end of each of the
strings. Attach the pulleys to the table edge and hang the masses over them with the masses on the floor and the
carts on the table. Place a wood block on the table in front of each pulley.

2. Place one doll on each cart. Use a rubber band to serve as a seat belt for one of them.

3. Pull the carts back side by side and release them so they accelerate toward the table’s edge.

ANALYSIS:
1. What stopped the motion of the doll without a seat belt when the cart crashed to a stop?

2. Was there any difference for the doll with a seat belt?
 Experiment # 6
LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM

Objectives:
1. Understand that momentum depends on both mass and velocity.
2. Recognize that different surfaces and materials promote different types of collisions.

Materials:
3 different balls (suggestions: ping-pong ball, tennis ball, golf ball, baseball, billiards ball)
3 different bouncing surfaces (suggestions: tile floor, cemented floor, carpeted floor, wooden block,
cinder block); kilogram or gram scale; meterstick

Procedures:
1. Determine the mass in kilograms of each ball and record it on the Data Table.
2. Drop each ball from a distance of 1 meter onto the surface and record how high it bounces in meters.
3. Note whether the ball and surface showed more of an elastic or inelastic collision.
 If the ball bounces up more than .5 meters, then it is more elastic.
 If it bounces up less than .5 meters, then it is more inelastic.
4. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 for the two other surfaces.
5. Calculate the velocity for each ball right before it bounces and right after it bounces.
6. Calculate the momentum for each ball right before it bounces and right after.
7. Calculate the percentage of momentum lost for each case.

Data:

Ball Types: Surface Types:

Ball 1:__________________________ Surface 1:________________________

Ball 2:__________________________ Surface 2:________________________

Ball 3:__________________________ Surface 3:________________________

Table #1: Elastic or Inelastic Collision

Case Ball Surface Mass of Bounce Elastic or

Ball (kg) Height (m) Inelastic
Table #2: Momentum

Case Velocity Velocity Momentum Momentum Change in Percent of

Before After Before After Momentum Momentum
Collision Collision Collision Collision (kg*m)/s Lost
(m/s) (kg*m)/s (kg*m)/s
(m/s)

Calculations for Data in Table #2:

Questions:

1. Why did all of the balls lose momentum? What happened to the momentum that was lost?

2. What would have happened if the collisions were perfectly elastic? Use your own words or calculations to help
explain your answer.

3. Based on your experiments, which ball would be the best to use for dodge ball? for bowling? Why?

4. Which ball and surface from the experiment would be best for playing basketball? What about for street hockey?
Why?
Observations:

Conclusions:

Appendices:
 Experiment # 7
Density & Specific Gravity

PART I – DENSITY TOWER

Objectives:
To calculate the density and/or specific gravity of different kinds of liquids.

Materials:

 Tall, narrow, clear container (500 mL or 1000 mL  50-100 mL maple syrup

graduated cylinders are perfect)  50-100 mL corn syrup
 100 mL graduated cylinders (at least 3)  50-100 mL honey
 Digital weighing scale (or any weighing scale for  Ping pong ball
light materials)  Soda bottle cap
 50-100 mL lamp oil  Plastic bead
 50-100 mL rubbing alcohol  Grape tomato
 50-100 mL vegetable oil  Board game die
 50-100 mL tap water  Popcorn kernel
 50-100 mL dish soap  Metal nut or bolt
 50-100 mL milk

Procedures:

1. Measure the mass of the empty graduated cylinders.

2. Measure the mass of each liquid.

3. Compute for the density of each liquid. Record your answers in a table.

4. Pour each liquid SLOWLY into the container, one at a time. It is very important to pour the liquids slowly and into
the center of the cylinder. Make sure that the liquids do not touch the sides of the cylinder while you are pouring.
Start from the densest liquid.

5. Take the various small objects and drop them into the column, starting again from the densest.

6. Attach a picture of your density tower.

Data:

Mass of the graduated cylinder: ______________________

Mass of the total (liquid) mixture: ______________________
Volume of the total (liquid) mixture: ______________________
Density of the total (liquid) mixture: ______________________
 Materials Mass (grams) Volume (cm3) Density (g/cm3)

Questions:

1. What scientific principle do you think contributes to the column's layers?

 2. What makes some objects sink deeper into the column while some hardly sink at all?

Observations:

Appendices:
PART II – HOT OR COLD

Materials:

• 3 150 ml beakers (or use glass jars or clear • pipet

plastic cups) • water
• 100 ml graduated cylinder (or a tall, narrow glass) • food coloring (blue and red)

Procedures:

1. Fill two beakers with 150 ml (2/3 cup) of water. Put several drops of blue food coloring in one beaker, and several
drops of red in the second.

2. Add a handful of ice to the blue water and put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Put the red beaker in the
microwave for a minute.

3. Take the blue beaker out of the fridge and the red beaker out of the microwave. Pour some of the blue water into
the 10 ml graduated cylinder or narrow glass. Using a pipet, slowly add red water a drop at a time and watch what
happens.

4. Attach a picture of the output fluid.

Questions:

1. Does temperature change the density of water? Explain based on your experiment results.

2. What would happen if you left the cylinder out until the cold water warmed up and the hot water cooled off?
Observations:

Appendices:
PART IV – SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Problem:

Determine the density of water by means of measuring 30 tablespoons of water’s volume and mass at room
temperature. Consider the density at STP 20°C of water is 0.998 g/ml.

a. Of the same mass of water, find the specific gravity of your assigned material.
b. Of the same volume of water, find the specific gravity of your assigned material.

Materials:

 Graduated cylinder  Water

 Beaker  Any other fluid of your choice
 Pan balance  Spoon

Procedures:

1. Measure the mass of the empty beaker.

2. Put 30 tablespoons of water in it then measure its mass. Transfer it to the graduated cylinder to measure its
volume. Calculate the density of water.

3. Measure the same mass as the water for your chosen fluid. Transfer it to the graduated cylinder to measure its
volume. Calculate the density and specific gravity of this fluid.

4. Measure the same volume as the water for your chosen fluid. Transfer it to the beaker to measure its mass.
Calculate the density and specific gravity of this fluid.

5. Tabulate your data and attach pictures of your performance.

Data:

Mass of the empty beaker: __________ Chosen Fluid and its standard density: ____________

30 tablespoons water Fluid of Equal Mass Fluid of Equal Volume

Mass of Fluid (grams)

Volume (mL)

Density (g/mL)

Diameter of Cylinder (cm)

Height of Fluid (cm)

Density (g/cm3)

% Error in Density (experimental

vs actual)

Specific Gravity

% Error in Specific Gravity

(experimental vs actual)

Calculations:
Observations:

Conclusions:

Appendices:
PART III – SALTY OR SWEET

Materials:

• 3 150 ml beakers (or use glass jars or clear • salt

plastic cups) • sugar
• 100 ml graduated cylinder (or a tall, narrow glass) • food coloring (blue, red, green)
• pipet • raisins
• water • spoon

Procedures:

1. Fill three beakers with 150 ml (2/3 cup) of water. Add food coloring to make blue, red, and green water.

2. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the red beaker and stir until the salt is dissolved. Add 2 teaspoons of sugar to the blue
water and stir until it is dissolved.

3. Put a raisin in each of the beakers. Observe and record what happens. Remove the raisins with a spoon.

4. Pour some of the red (salty) water into the graduated cylinder. Using the pipet, slowly add the blue (sweet) water
one or two drops at a time. Record what happens.

5. Add the green (pure) water drop-by-drop to the other two and record what happens.

6. Attach pictures of the outcome of steps 3 to 5.

Questions:

1. What happened to the raisins in the three beakers? Does this have a relation to the density of the fluids in it?
Explain based on your experiment results.

2. Which is denser, sugar water or salt water? Explain based on your experiment results.
Observations:

Appendices: