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Feb 20, 2024

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AP Physics 1A | 5.2 Atwood’s Machine Introduction: Atwood’s Machine is a classic physics experiment where two masses are on either side of a pulley connected by a light string. When the system is released, the heavier mass will accelerate downward while the lighter mass accelerates upward. The acceleration depends on the difference between the masses as well as the total mass of the system. The idea may remind you of the old counterweight elevator systems. Lab Objectives: Determine the relationship between mass differences, total mass, and acceleration for an Atwood’s Machine. Predict a formula to determine the acceleration of the system. Preliminary Questions: (2 points) If two equal masses are hung on either side of the pulley system, what kind of motion do you expect to occur? I would expect no motion because the forces in the system would be balanced. If the masses on either side of the pulley are different, how do you expect the acceleration of each mass to compare? Will one side accelerate more than the other or will they be the same? The acceleration will be the same although the acceleration will be in opposite directions for the different masses. Do you think the acceleration depends more on the difference between the two masses or the total mass of the system? I think the acceleration depends more on the difference. This is because with a larger difference one of the masses will have less resistance going down and will accelerate faster. Draw a free-body diagram for the mass on the left side and another free-body diagram for the mass on the right side. Left Mass Right Mass Procedure: Part I Access the Atwood’s Machine simulation . ( https://www.thephysicsaviary.com/Physics/Programs/Labs/AtwoodLab/ index.html ) Click on the Begin button.
Use the arrows near each mass to set both masses to the same mass (150 grams). Click Start. Record your results in the data table. Click Reset. Add 5 grams of mass to the left side and remove 5 grams of mass from the right (this will keep the total mass constant). Click Start. Scroll down to the velocity vs. time graph and determine the slope. Record this as your acceleration. Repeat steps 5-7 four more times. Part II Reset the masses so the left mass has 120 grams and the right mass has 100 g. Click Start. Scroll down to the velocity vs. time graph and determine the slope. Record this as your acceleration. Click Reset. Add 20 grams of mass to each side of the Atwood’s Machine (this will keep the mass difference between the two sides constant). Click Start. Find the acceleration and record it in the data table. Repeat Step 3 three more times. Data Part I: Constant Total Mass (2 points) Trial m 1 (g) Left side m 2 (g) Right side Acceleration (m/s 2 ) Difference in mass (kg) 1 150 150 .1020 10 2 210 190 .330 20 3 215 185 .5448 30 4 220 180 .7723 40 5 225 175 1.01 50 Part II: Mass Difference Constant (2 points) Trial m 1 (g) Left side m 2 (g) Right side Acceleration (m/s 2 ) Difference in mass (kg) 1 120 100 .62 20 2 140 120 .49 20 3 160 140 .41 20 4 180 160 .31 20
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