1. Accelerometer on a Cart Activities
Created for BW Middle School Physics By
Dick Heckathorn
24 Feb 2K + 8

2. accelerometer on a cart, what would be the behavior
1. Cart is at Rest
If you were to mount the
accelerometer on a cart,
what would be the behavior
of the liquid in the
accelerometer when the cart
is not moving?

3. First predict what the appearance will be,
1. Cart is at Rest
First predict what the appearance will be,
then place the accelerometer
on the cart and
observe the liquid.

4. _________________________________________
1. Cart is at Rest
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

5. 2. Accelerated State: Small Force
Give the cart a push
to the right
to start it moving.
The observations will be easier
if you give the cart
a long slow push.

6. 2. Accelerated State: Small Force
Describe the behavior
of the liquid
during the time
you are pushing
on the cart.

7. 2. Accelerated State: Small Force
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

8. 3. Accelerated State: Large Force
Push the cart
with a harder force.
Describe
how this affects
the liquid accelerometer.

9. 3. Accelerated State: Large Force
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

10. Run the string over a pulley and over the side of the table.
4. Accelerated State
Tie a string to the cart.
Run the string over a pulley and
attach the string
to a pulling-weight
over the side of the table.

11. 4. Accelerated State A slow, steady acceleration should be produced
by using the
falling weight and pulley
to pull the cart to the right.

12. After the pulling weight
4. Accelerated State
After the pulling weight
is released,
describe the behavior
of the liquid
in the accelerometer.

13. _________________________________________
4. Accelerated State
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

14. 5. Constant speed in a given direction
Give the cart a push
and let it go at a constant speed.
Concentrate on the liquid level after you stop pushing on the cart while it is coasting
across the table.

15. 5. Constant speed in a given direction
Describe
the behavior of the liquid
in the accelerometer.
( Compare your results with #1.)

16. 5. Constant speed in a given direction
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

17. 6. Moving cart across table
From one end of the table,
give the cart a small push
and then let it go.
Then push against the cart
to stop it
at the other end of the table.

18. 6. Moving cart across table
Describe the behavior
of the liquid
in the accelerometer for the
following parts of this motion.
A. Pushing to start
B. While it is coasting
C. Pushing to stop

19. A. Pushing right to start
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

20. _________________________________________
B. While it is coasting
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

21. _________________________________________
C. Pushing left to stop
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

22. 7. Holding at the top of incline
Mount the accelerometer
so it is level when the cart
is placed on an incline.
Hold the cart
at the top of the incline
Describe the behavior of the accelerometer

23. 7. Holding at top of incline
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

24. as it rolls down the incline. What does this indicate?
8. Rolls down incline
Describe the behavior
of the accelerometer
as it rolls down the incline.
What does this indicate?

25. 8. Rolls to left down incline
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

26. 9. Cart to right rolling up the incline
Give the cart a push, then let go
so the cart rolls up the incline and comes to a stop close to the top.
When it stops, catch it so it doesn’t roll back down.

27. 9. Cart rolling up the incline
What does the accelerometer liquid look like after
there is no longer a push on
the cart and it is rolling to a stop.
What does this suggest about the
cart’s motion.

28. 9. Cart to right rolling up the incline
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

29. 10. Cart going up and down the incline
Thrust the cart up the incline
the same as you did before,
but this time, let it stop
and roll back down.
What does the accelerometer
look like as it is:

30. 10a. Cart going up the incline
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

31. 10b. Cart stopped at the top
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

32. 10c. Cart rolling down the incline
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

33. 11a. Swinging in a circle Hold the accelerometer at
arm’s length so that
its orientation
is perpendicular to
your outstretched arm.
You should be looking at the parallel side of the accelerometer.

34. Swing it around in a circle What does the accelerometer
11a. Swinging in a circle
Swing it around in a circle
at a constant rate.
What does the accelerometer
look like?
What does this
suggest is happening?

35. _________________________________________
11a. Swinging in a circle
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

36. in your hand at arms length. It should be pointing outward
11b. Swinging in a circle
Hold one end
of the accelerometer
in your hand at arms length.
It should be pointing outward
in the direction of
your outstretched arm.

37. What does the accelerometer
11b. Swinging in a circle
What does the accelerometer
look like?
What does this suggest
is happening?

38. _________________________________________
11b. Swinging in a circle
Prediction Actual
far edge
near edge
far edge
near edge
Explanation
_________________________________________

39. 12a. Rotating on a turntable
Place the accelerometer
on the turntable
with the end of the accelerometer placed at the center.
What does the accelerometer look like as the turntable spins?

40. 12a. Rotating on a turntable
Prediction Actual
outside
center
outside
center
Explanation
_________________________________________

41. 12a. Rotating on a turntable
Place the accelerometer
on a record player
with the center
of the accelerometer
at the center of the turntable.

42. 12a. Rotating on a turntable
What does the
accelerometer liquid look like
as the turntable spins?
What does this suggest
about this motion?

43. 12b. Rotating on a turntable
Prediction Actual
Explanation
_________________________________________

44. 13. Pendulum Swing Attach paper clips and string
to the ends of the accelerometer and swing it like a pendulum.

45. that the accelerometer stays level while it is swinging.
13. Pendulum Swing
Be careful to see
that the accelerometer
stays level while it is swinging.
Describe the behavior
of the liquid
in the accelerometer.

46. 13. Pendulum swing Prediction Stopped Center Stopped
End < < < End
Stopped Center Stopped
End > > > End

47. 13. Pendulum swing Actual Stopped Center Stopped
End < < < End
Stopped Center Stopped
End > > > End

48. 14. Spring swing Attach two C-clamps to the ends of the table and
hook a spring on each .
Hook the other end of each spring
to a cart carrying an accelerometer.

49. 14. Spring swing Set the cart in motion and observe the accelerometer.
clamp
clamp
MOTION

50. 13. Pendulum swing Prediction Stopped Center Stopped
End < < < End
Stopped Center Stopped
End > > > End

51. 13. Pendulum swing Actual Stopped Center Stopped
End < < < End
Stopped Center Stopped
End > > > End

52. That’s all folks!