Lab - 5 - Inclined Plane

Lab #5 Report: Inclined Plane Eloy Deras
Alan Garcia Dominguez
Juan D. Flores
Introduction
Present the subject or physics concept to explore in the lab session
On this lab we explore the effects an incline plane produces on acceleration

with a given angle and mass. First the theoretical value is calculated using
the formula acceleration = sin(angle)*g. We then conduct the experiment
and compare the values using the percent difference formula. Next step is to
understand how changing the mass changes our results and finally we
experiment with changing the angle.
Materials and set up

The equipment required for this lab:
-Motion sensor
-CAPSTONE software
-Air track and air pump
-Air Glide
-Metallic slabs
-Weight puck(s)
First, we must insert the metallic slabs to set the Glide at an angle and
measure the slabs to set as a height in our experiment. Using the
Pythagorean theorem, we calculate the sine of the angle of the track and
then get the theoretical acceleration. After that we need to set the sensor
and the system by calibrating it and setting up the position overtime graph
in the CAPSTONE platform.
Juan D. Flores
Procedure
In this experiment, we measured the acceleration of a cart moving on an
inclined plane by first setting up the air track and using slabs to tilt the track
at different angles. We calculated the theoretical acceleration based on the
sine of the angle formed by the incline, using the Pythagorean theorem. A
motion sensor was calibrated to record the cart’s position and velocity over
time, allowing us to generate position vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs.
The experiment was conducted multiple times in order to make sure that we
had accurate results, and we calculated experimental acceleration by finding
the slope of the velocity vs. time graph. We then repeated the experiment by
changing the cart’s mass and tilt, comparing the measured acceleration with
theoretical values and evaluating percent errors throughout.
Data and data analysis

Present the data collected and calculations to obtain specific values with
graphs, tables, and equation for the reader to review for evidence.
Table I: Theoretical Acceleration I in an

inclined plane
Hypotenus sin Acceleratio
Opposite e (Ø) n
.02 M 1M 0.02 0.196

Juan D. Flores
Table II: Experimental acceleration 1, low mass and high tilt

Initial Final Exp. Percent
Velocity Velocity Accleration Error
-0.66 m/s 0.60 m/s 0.1909 -2.67%
Table III: Experimental acceleration 2, high mass and high tilt

Initial Final Exp. Percent
Velocity Velocity Acceleration Error
-64 m/s 62 m/s 0.189 -3.57%
Juan D. Flores
Table VI: Theoretical Acceleration II, low tilt

Opposit sin Theoretical Percent
e Hypotenuse (Ø) Acceleration Difference
.01 M 1 [m] 0.01 0.098 -100.00%
Table V: Experimental acceleration 3, low tilt
Initial Final Exp. Percent Error (II with
Velocity Velocity Acceleration 3 3)
-0.47 m/s 0.44 m/s 0.0947 -3.48%
 Are you expecting a different acceleration? Why?

No, we are not expecting a difference in acceleration because the
weight does not change acceleration due to the normal force
counteracting the weight.
 If your answer was yes, how the new value will be? (Higher, lower,
much higher, much lower, etc.)
We answered no.
 Are you expecting a different percent error? Why?
We are not expecting a percent error because it’s the same experiment
with the same variables but only changing the weight which does not
affect the acceleration.
 If your answer was yes, how the new value will be? (Higher, lower,
much higher, much lower, etc.)
We answered no.
Juan D. Flores
 Are the accelerations different?
No, the accelerations are not different.
 Should they be that way? Why?
Yes the acceleration should be the same because weight does not
effect the acceleration.
 Are the percent errors different?
Yes but by a 3% difference.
 Should they be that way? Why?
Yes they should be that way because of how the acceleration stays the
same in both equations.
1. Which experimental acceleration had the most significant percent
error?
Table 6 had the greatest percent error by 100% because of the removal
of slabs that changed the accelerations dramatically.
2. Which acceleration had the most unexpected value?
The most unexpected acceleration was the table 6 because of how the
acceleration was around half of the other two tables.
Conclusion
Show your reflections and conclusions about the concept explored in the lab session. These
reflections need to be supported by the evidence you collect or develop in the Data and
Data Analysis section
We conclude that the experimental values matched the theoretical values

very closely by about 3.5% difference which indicates that the formula
represents the real world very closely. The percent difference, albeit small, is
introduced by equipment and set-up errors. Additionally, we can conclude
that changing the mass does not influence acceleration, but the angle
definitely affects it. It makes sense since the weight force becomes greater
as the incline’s angle gets closer to 90 deg (i.e. perpendicular to the
surface/earth).
Personal learning experience
This lab confirmed what I knew based on the formulas when it comes to
understanding the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. I
found it enlightening because actually running the experiment and yielding
Juan D. Flores
the expected results was helpful to gain an intuitive understanding of physics
– rather than just doing the math behind it.
This experiment was very informational and helped put a picture in my head
when thinking about the force of gravity in relation to a inclined place. As
well as how it changes when changing the height as well as the weight. This
experiment showed us how to calculate the acceleration with a specific
acceleration getting the theoretical acceleration as well as how to test it
through the CAPSTONE program.
I gained a clearer understanding of the materials used by fine-tuning the

variables to better align with the theoretical values. By improving the
accuracy of our measurements and conducting the experiment with greater
precision, we achieved more reliable results. Compared to the previous lab,
using a set acceleration and calculated mass brought us much closer to the
expected outcome, showing how different methods and conditions can
greatly influence the results.

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Lab #5 Report: Inclined Plane Eloy Deras

Alan Garcia Dominguez

On this lab we explore the effects an incline plane produces on acceleration

Materials and set up

Alan Garcia Dominguez

Data and data analysis

Table I: Theoretical Acceleration I in an

.02 M 1M 0.02 0.196

Alan Garcia Dominguez

Table II: Experimental acceleration 1, low mass and high tilt

Table III: Experimental acceleration 2, high mass and high tilt

Alan Garcia Dominguez

Table VI: Theoretical Acceleration II, low tilt

 Are you expecting a different acceleration? Why?

Alan Garcia Dominguez

We conclude that the experimental values matched the theoretical values

Personal learning experience

Alan Garcia Dominguez

I gained a clearer understanding of the materials used by fine-tuning the

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