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Pre-calculus Physics Project: posted 2/18/03

 

Force = Mass x Acceleration !

Students calculated the mass of a pickup by measuring the force required to push it, and the resulting acceleration. 

Mass = Force / Acceleration

Force was held constant by using bathroom scales at 20 lbs. per student pushing.

F = 3 pushers x 20 lbs x (1 kg/ 2.2 lbs) x (9.8 m/s/s) = 267 N

 

Acceleration was measured by marking the pickup's location at 3 second intervals.

Velocity = Distance / Time ( Ten 3-second intervals were measured)
Interval

 

Distance

(meters)

Velocity

(meters/sec)

1 0 0
2 1.56 0.52
3 2.22 0.74
4 2.06 0.69
5 2.82 0.94
6 2.89 0.94
7 3.00 1.00
8 2.84 0.95
9 2.23 0.74
10 2.34 0.78
11 2.36 0.79
 
Acceleration = Final Velocity - Initial Velocity  ( For each 3-second interval.)
Interval
 
Acceleration

meters/s/s

1 0
2 0.52
3 0.22
4 -0.05
5 0.25
6 0.02
7 0.04
8 -0.05
9 -0.21
10 0.04
11 0.01

Accelerations were averaged to find a mean value for A.  ( A = 0.08 m/s/s )

 

Mass = Force / Acceleration
Mass = 267 N / (0.08 m/s/s) = 3336 kg
Weight = 3336 kg x (2.2 lbs/kg) =7054 lbs

 

The student drove to the local grain elevator and had the pickup weighed.  

The official result was 6640 lbs.

% Error = (Calculated Value - Actual Value) / Actual Value
% Error = ((7054 - 6640) / 6640 ) x 100 = +6.2% 

Students completed calculations and wrote an essay about the experience.

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Calculations based on 2003 data.

 

 Email: cindy.kroon@k12.sd.us    K12 Data Center      DDN   Common Core Standards (CCSSM)