In this video, a ball rolls on an inclined track with a constant slope that is about 0.31 meters long and then rolls on a flat track that is about 0.69 meters long. The ball starts at the top of the incline at rest and rolls for about 2.31 seconds before stopping. The average acceleration of the ball can be calculated with the formula (((x3-x2)/(t3-t2))-((x2-x1)/(t2-t1)))/((t3-t1)/2), with x representing the ball’s position and t representing the time at the ball’s corresponding position.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE INCLINED TRACK
The following images show positions and times of the ball during the experiment.
x1=0.00 meters, t1=0.00 seconds |
x2=0.15 meters, t2=0.50 seconds |
x3=0.31 meters, and t3=0.81 seconds |
As observed, the average acceleration of the ball on the ramp is 0.53 meters/second^2.
REFLECTIONS OF THE BALL ON THE INCLINED TRACK
I expected this acceleration as a ball rolls down an incline, since it should accelerate positively due to gravity.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLAT TRACK
The following images show positions and times of the ball during the experiment.
When x1=0.31 meters, t1=0.81 seconds |
x2=0.65 meters, t2=1.48 seconds |
x3=1.00 meters, and t3=2.31 seconds |
As observed, the average acceleration of the ball on the flat track is -0.11 meters/seconds^2.
REFLECTIONS OF THE BALL ON THE FLAT TRACK
I expected this because as a ball rolls on a flat track, it should accelerate negatively due to friction and air resistance.