Page 1 of 7

EDEXCEL IGCSE Physics

Mechanics B

Practical Work - Investigation on Acceleration

Aim : to know how distance travelled by a ball depends on the time it has been

rolling.

Materials required :

an inclined plane

meter stick or ruler

protractor

a ball

stopwatch

Procedure:

1. Form an inclined plane and measure the angle between the inclined plane and

the ground. Record the angle in the table below

2. Set a ball at a measured distance along the inclined plane.

3. Time how long it takes for the ball to fall a particular length along the

inclined plane and record it on the table.

4. Repeat step (3) for the same length for 5 times, record the data in the

table and calculate the mean time taken.

5. Repeat steps (3) and (4) for different lengths (at least 5 different lengths)

6. Calculate the t2 value

7. Plot a graph of s against t2

8. Repeat the whole process with the inclined plane inclined at two different

angles (one higher than the first angle and one lower than the first angle)

Page 2 of 7

Trial 1:

Angle:

Length (m) Time taken (s) Mean time - t t2

Page 3 of 7

Trial 2:

Angle:

Length (m) Time taken (s) Mean time - t t2

Page 4 of 7

Trial 3:

Angle:

Length (m) Time taken (s) Mean time - t t2

Page 5 of 7

Questions

(1) Why do we always get a straight line?

Consider the following equation:

s = ut + at2

since u = 0, s = at2

Arrange the equation s = at2 to the y = mx + c format

What will the gradient of the graph give?

(2) What can we conclude from the experiment?

(3) Using the graphs, calculate the acceleration of the ball during each trial.

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Page 6 of 7

(4)Explain what happens to the acceleration of the ball as the inclined angle of the

plane is changed.

(5) See the scientist above? He did the investigation you did just now 4 centuries

ago! But since technology wasnt developed much at that time, his method was

different. Differentiate between Galileo Galileis method and your method.

Your method Galileos method

Page 7 of 7

(6) Name some devices you could use to improve this investigation and explain how

the devices you named will improve the investigation.