Speed and Acceleration of Cars on Lambert Road
Essay by review • December 2, 2010 • Research Paper • 2,314 Words (10 Pages) • 1,605 Views
Speed and Acceleration of Cars on Lambert Road
Aim: To measure the speeds of cars traveling on and the acceleration of cars as they stop a red light on Lambert Road.
Hypothesis: Most cars traveling on Lambert road will travel at a legal speed of 60km/hr or under. Cars will start accelerating at exactly the same distance before the lights and stop at exactly the white line in front of the lights.
Hazards: - being hit by a car
- falling onto the road
Materials: - A rope with 5m intervals
- A stopwatch
Method: Part 1: Speed
1. A distance of 20m was measured using the rope. One group member was placed at the start and one at the finish.
2. As a car passed the start, the stopwatch was started.
3. As the car reached the finish, the group member at the finish made a shouting signal and the stopwatch was stopped.
4. The times were recorded and the speed calculated using the formula v=s/t.
5. Steps 1-4 were repeated with nine more cars.
Part 2: Acceleration
1. A distance of 50m was measured using the rope. One group member was placed at the start and one at the finish.
2. As a car passed the start, the stopwatch was started.
3. As the car reached the finish, the group member at the finish made a shouting signal and the stopwatch was stopped.
4. The times were recorded and the acceleration calculated using the formula a = s ч (vt - Ð... tІ).
5. Steps 1-4 were repeated with four more cars.
Results: First set
Speed
Car Distance - s (m) Time - t (s) Speed - v (m/s) v= s/t Speed - v
(km/hr)
1 20.0 ± 0.5 2.22 9.1 32.7
2 20.0 ± 0.5 1.41 14.2 51.1
3 20.0 ± 0.5 1.28 15.6 56.3
4 20.0 ± 0.5 1.44 13.9 50.0
5 20.0 ± 0.5 1.47 13.6 50.0
6 20.0 ± 0.5 1.28 15.6 56.3
7 20.0 ± 0.5 1.28 15.6 56.3
8 20.0 ± 0.5 1.85 10.8 38.9
9 20.0 ± 0.5 1.44 13.9 50.0
10 20.0 ± 0.5 1.31 15.3 55.0
Acceleration
Car Distance - s (m) Final speed - v (m/s) Time - t (s) Acceleration - a (m/sІ)
a = s ч (vt - Ð... tІ)
1 50.0 ± 0.5 0 12.65 -0.6
2 50.0 ± 0.5 0 8.84 -1.3
3 50.0 ± 0.5 0 8.41 -1.4
4 50.0 ± 0.5 0 9.87 -1.0
5 50.0 ± 0.5 0 10.69 -0.9
Results: Second set
Speed
Car Distance - s (m) Time - t (s) Speed - v (m/s) v= s/t Speed - v
(km/hr)
1 20.0 ± 0.5 1.30 15.4 55.4
2 20.0 ± 0.5 1.45 13.8 49.6
3 20.0 ± 0.5 1.37 14.6 52.6
4 20.0 ± 0.5 1.19 16.8 60.5
5 20.0 ± 0.5 1.53 13.1 47.1
6 20.0 ± 0.5 1.44 13.9 50.0
7 20.0 ± 0.5 1.42 14.1 50.7
8 20.0 ± 0.5 1.28 15.6 56.3
9 20.0 ± 0.5 1.30 15.4 55.4
10 20.0 ± 0.5 1.57 12.7 45.9
Acceleration
Car Distance - s (m) Final speed - v (m/s) Time - t (s) Acceleration - a (m/sІ)
a = s ч (vt - Ð... tІ)
1 50.0 ± 0.5 0 5.28 -3.6
2 50.0 ± 0.5 0 6.68 -2.2
3 50.0 ± 0.5 0 6.55 -2.3
4 50.0 ± 0.5 0 5.58 -3.2
5 50.0 ± 0.5 0 9.07 -1.2
Calculations: Working out speed (v):
v = s/t
=20/2.2
= 9.09
= 9.1 m/s
Working out acceleration (a):
s = vt - Ð... atІ
a = s ч (vt - Ð... tІ)
= 50 ч (0 x 8.84 - Ð... 8.84І)
= 50 ч -39.07
= -1.28
= -1.3 m/sІ
Converting m/s to km/hr:
m/s x 3.6
= 16.8 m/s x 3.6 = 60.5km/hr
Working out time (t):
s = 50.0
v = 0
u = 9.0 m/s
t = s ч (u + v)
2
= 50.0 ч (9.0 + 0)
2
= 50.0 ч (9.0)
2
= 50.0 ч 4.5
= 11.11
= 11s
s = 50.0
v = 0
u = 14.0
t
...
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