III.

Analysis of Data
According to Newtons second law of motion, the
acceleration of an object is dependent upon the net force acting
on the object and the mass of the object (a=F net/m). On this
experiment, we verified that acceleration of an object depends
directly upon the net force acting in it, and is inversely related to
the objects mass.

Part 1: Constant Mass, Changing Net Force

Trial

total hanging
mass, m2

1
2
3
4
5

0.025
0.045
0.065
0.085
0.105

net force, m2g

kg
kg
kg
kg
kg

0.245
0.441
0.637
0.833
1.023

N
N
N
N
N

acceleration, a

0.47
0.81
1.13
1.43
1.70

m/s2
m/s2
m/s2
m/s2
m/s2

It is stated in Newtons second law of motion that

acceleration and net force are directly proportional with each
other. From the results of the experiment, it can be observed that
the carts acceleration is directly proportional with the total
hanging weigth as the mass of the cart is constant. The total
hanging weight (net force) will cause the cart to accelerate and as
the net force is increased, the acceleration will also increase.

Part 2:Changing Mass, Constant Net Force

Trial

mass of cart + mass

added, m1

1
2
3
4
5

0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

acceleration, a

1.70
1.45
1.27
1.13
1.02

m/s2
m/s2
m/s2
m/s2
m/s2

From the data obtained, it can be observed that the

acceleration of the cart is inversely proportional to the carts total
mass with constant net force (hanging weight). The increase in
the carts mass caussed the cart to decelerate. This is because an
object with a greater mass will require a greater net force to
accelerate.

Part 3: Changing Mass, Changing Net Force

Trial

1
2
3
4
5

mass of cart
+ mass
added (m1)

.5
.6
.7
.8
.9

kg
kg
kg
kg
kg

total
hanging
mass (m2)

net force,
m2g

0.025
0.045
0.065
0.085
0.105

0.245
0.445
0.637
0.833
1.029

kg
kg
kg
kg
kg

N
N
N
N
N

acceleration
,a

0.49
0.58
0.91
1.04
1.14

m/s2
m/s2
m/s2
m/s2
m/s2

time of
travel

1.35
1.12
1.06
0.94
0.87

s
s
s
s
s

For every trial, the mass of the cart and its hanging weight is
increased. From the data obtained, it can be observed that an
increase in the net force and mass will cause an increase in
acceleration and an decrease in time.

Possible sources of error:

The cart track has friction, this will slow down the carts
acceleration.
Inaccuracy in the distance of the photogates
Initial velocity at the time it passes photogate 1
Human errors and errors in computations

IV. Conclusion

From the results of the experiment, we can conclude that

The acceleration is directly proportional to the net force. An
increase in the objects net force will cause an increase in its
acceleration.
The objects acceleration is inversely proportional to the
objects mass. A more massive object has less acceleration
because it requires a greater net force.
Applications of Newtons second law of motion in civil engineering
In designing bridges and structures, Newton's second law is
used as the fundamental equation and starting point of any
concept/design.
Also used in designing beams and columns. A civil engineer
must take noth that the beams and columns he designs will
be able to support the mass that will act upon it.