initial timing experiment

Your 'initial timing experiment' report has been received. Scroll down through the document to see any comments I might have inserted, and my final comment at the end.

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Initial Timing Experiment


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In this experiment you will use the TIMER program, a hardcover book, a cylinder or some other object that will roll along the book in a relatively straight line, and a ruler or the equivalent (if you don't have one, note the RULERS link on the Assignments page).

Place the book on a flat level tabletop.  You will prop one end of the book up a little bit, so that when it is released the object will roll without your assistance, gradually speeding up, from the propped-up end to the lower end.  However don't prop the end up too much.  It should take at least two seconds for the ball to roll down the length of the book when it is released from rest.

Then reverse the direction of the book on the tabletop, rotating the book and its prop 180 degrees so that the ball will roll in exactly the opposite direction.  Repeat your measurements.

In the box below describe your setup, being as specific as possible about the book used (title, ISBN) and the object being used (e.g., a solid glass marble, a small can of tomato paste (full or empty?), a ball-point pen), and what you used to prop the object up (be as specific as possible).   Also describe how well the object rolled--did it roll smoothly, did it speed up and slow down, did it roll in a straight line or did its direction change somewhat?

Note:  Don't trust this form.  Compose your answer in Notepad or a word processor, saving it every few minutes, then copy and paste it into the box.  Power could surge, your computer could malfunction, in any of a number of ways the work you put into this form could be lost.  Compose it elsewhere and keep a copy.

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Organic Chemistry book propped up by two nuts from lab kit, and I used a steel ball also from the lab kit.

The ball rolled smoothly, appearing to speed up in a straight line.

The book was 26.3 cm long and was propped up 0.5 cm

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In the box below report your data.  State exactly what was measured, how it was measured, how accurately you believe it was measured and of course what the measurements were.  Try to organize your report so the reader can easily scan your data and see any patterns that might occur.

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These are the timed measurements, I clicked once to set the time when the ball was released, and clicked a second time when the ball left the book to establish a finish time. My five results were

1. 1.5625

2. 1.578125

3. 1.46875

4. 1.5625

5. 1.46875

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Using your data determine how fast the object was moving, on the average, as it rolled down the incline.  Estimate how accurately you believe you were able to determine the object's average speed, and give the best reasons you can for your estimate of the accuracy.

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the ball was moving at .172 m/s.

the answer is only as accurate as my ability to click at the exact moment of release and the exact moment of the ball leaving the book.

I don't believe they are perfect, but they are close and are relative to one another

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Devise and concuct an experiment to determine whether or not the object is speeding up as it rolls down the incline.  If you have set the experiment up as indicated, it should seem pretty obvious that the object is in fact speeding up.  But figure out a way to use actual measurements to support your belief.

Explain how you designed and conducted your experiment, give your data and explain how your data support your conclusions.

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This time I clicked once at the beginning, once at the middle of the book and once at the end of the book.

Each time the interval from point 1 to point 2 was about twice as long as from point 2 to point 3. This proves that the ball was speeding up.

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Your instructor is trying to gauge the typical time spent by students on these experiments.  Please answer the following question as accurately as you can, understanding that your answer will be used only for the stated purpose and has no bearing on your grades: 

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30 minutes

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You may add optional comments and/or questions in the box below.

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Your work looks very good. Let me know if you have any questions. &#