LAB: Gravitational Field Strength and Newton's 3rd Law

  • Due No Due Date
  • Points 4
  • Submitting a text entry box or a file upload

This is a two part lab. 

Part 1: Determine the gravitational field strength of Earth. 

Using our force sensors, hang varying masses (in kg), and record the corresponding force. Plot Force versus Mass. Find a best fit line. What does the slope of that line tell us?

Submit - screenshot/plot of your Force versus Mass graph, with best fit line, and explanation of the slope.

Part 2:

Newton's 3rd law: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. 

Forces are interactions that come in pairs; paired forces are equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction. FA on B = FB on A 

Using force sensors, come up with a variety of ways for the sensors to apply forces on each other (push on each other, pull with string, hang one from the other, accelerate them across a table. etc).

NOTE: DO NOT EXCEED THE MAX FORCE (NEWTONS) APPLIED ON THE FORCE SENSORS. SET THEM TO 50N AND MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT APPLY A FORCE LARGER THAN 50N. THIS CAN BREAK THE SENSORS IF YOU GO BEYOND WHAT THEY CAN SAFELY MEASURE.

Submit - Plot or screenshot the Force-Time graphs you collect, describe the scenario and emphasize how the data you collected supports Newton's 3rd law. 

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