Throughout this project we had been given many different equations in which we had to calculate using measurements from our mousetrap car.
When test day was over we calculated the force of the lever arm at a certain angle.
When test day was over we calculated the force of the lever arm at a certain angle.
Angle of Lever Arm |
Force |
90° |
1.50 N |
45° |
2.20 N |
0° |
4.25 N |
The average force is 2.65 N
We then weighed the car on a scale and it weighs 0.1029 kg
We then weighed the car on a scale and it weighs 0.1029 kg
We also calculated the acceleration of the car within 5 feet (1.52 meters). We tested the car 5 times and recorded each time.
Trials |
Time(seconds) |
1 |
1.99 |
2 |
1.85 |
3 |
1.90 |
4 |
2.05 |
5 |
1.87 |
Since the times were close in numbers the average time was 1.93 seconds
Mousetrap Car Calculations:
Acceleration: a=f/m
Force=4.25 N
Mass=0.1029kg
4.25N/0.1029kg=41.3 m/s²
Force: f=ma
Mass=0.1029kg
Acceleration= 41.3 m/s²
0.1029kg×41.3 m/s²= 4.25N
Mass: m=f/a
Force=4.25 N
Acceleration=41.3 m/s²
4.25N/41.3 m/s²=0.1029kg
Velocity: v=gt
Gravity=9.8m/s
Time=1.93s
9.8m/s×1.93s=18.91
Experimental: 2d/t²
Distance=1.52meters
Time=1.93seconds
(2*1.52)/(1.93²)=0.81613
Theoretical: a=f/m
Force=4.25 N
Mass=0.1029kg
4.25N/0.1029kg=41.3 m/s²
Percent Error: ((Theoretical acceleration-actual acceleration)/Theoretical )100
Theoretical acceleration=41.3 m/s²
Actual acceleration=0.81613
((41.3 m/s²-0.81613)/41.3 m/s²)100=98.02%
Acceleration: a=f/m
Force=4.25 N
Mass=0.1029kg
4.25N/0.1029kg=41.3 m/s²
Force: f=ma
Mass=0.1029kg
Acceleration= 41.3 m/s²
0.1029kg×41.3 m/s²= 4.25N
Mass: m=f/a
Force=4.25 N
Acceleration=41.3 m/s²
4.25N/41.3 m/s²=0.1029kg
Velocity: v=gt
Gravity=9.8m/s
Time=1.93s
9.8m/s×1.93s=18.91
Experimental: 2d/t²
Distance=1.52meters
Time=1.93seconds
(2*1.52)/(1.93²)=0.81613
Theoretical: a=f/m
Force=4.25 N
Mass=0.1029kg
4.25N/0.1029kg=41.3 m/s²
Percent Error: ((Theoretical acceleration-actual acceleration)/Theoretical )100
Theoretical acceleration=41.3 m/s²
Actual acceleration=0.81613
((41.3 m/s²-0.81613)/41.3 m/s²)100=98.02%