Physics Lab Station: Mechanics Starter
Labs for the Physics Lab Station Mechanics Starter bundle.
Grade Level: Advanced Placement • High School
Subject: Physics
Activities
01) Speed and Velocity Graphs
Use a Smart Cart to perform a conceptual exploration of graphs of speed versus velocity.
02) Average Speed and Velocity
Use a Smart Cart to graph position versus time. Use the data to compare average speed and velocity to instantaneous velocity.
03) Graphing Motion
Students measure the position and velocity of a cart on a track to determine the relationship between position, velocity, and acceleration versus time graphs.
04) Newton's Second Law
Students use a Smart Cart to determine the relationship between a system’s mass, acceleration, and the net force being applied to the system.
05) Coefficients of Friction
Experimentally determine the static and kinetic friction coefficients between two contacting surfaces.
06) Momentum and Impulse
Students use a Smart Cart and dynamics system to investigate the relationship between the change in momentum of a cart undergoing a collision and the impulse imparted to the cart to change its momentum, and then use their data to establish a measurement-based relationship between change in momentum and impulse.
07) Work and Kinetic Energy
Students use a Smart Cart and dynamics system to investigate the relationship between the change in kinetic energy of an object experiencing a non-zero net force and the work done by that net force on the object, and then use their data to establish a measurement-based relationship between work and kinetic energy.
08) Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Students use a Smart Cart and dynamics system to explore how the kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and total mechanical energy of a cart/earth system changes as the cart rolls down an inclined track.
09) Periodic Motion: Mass and Spring
Experimentally determine the physical properties of a hanging mass and spring system that affect its period of oscillation.
