Aim
- To calculate the work done by the force of friction acting on a trolley
moving down a slope
Instructions
Release the trolley so that it runs throught he light beam
Measure the width of the mask on the trolley
Note the time recorded on the timer at the light gate and calculate the speed of the
trolley, v, throught he light gate
Measure the difference in height between the starting position and the position of the
light gate; height h
Calculate the loss in gravitational potential energy of the trolley
Calculate the gain in kinetic energy of the trolley
Hence calculate the energy "difference" due to friction
Measure the distance, d, travelled by the trolley to the light
gate
By considering the work done by friction on the trolley, calculate the
average force of friction acting on the trolley over the distance d,
down the slope