Advanced Physics at Mass Academy roughly follows the AP Physics C curriculum, teaching about mechanics (kinematics, projectile motion, dynamics, energy, momentum, and circular motion/gravity), electricity, and magnetism. This course applies calculus to physics principles to help explain the mechanics and behaviors of the natural world. This class is one of my favorites and after school, I participate in the competition Physics team. Below are two lab reports I wrote, summarizing physics principles learned and applied in two in-class, lab-style demonstrations.
The Acceleration on an Inclined Plane lab examined the acceleration of an object traveling down an inclined plane as a result of gravity, in comparison to the acceleration of an object in free fall. To test this, a cart was rolled down two slopes, one that started 4cm higher than it ended and one that started 8cm higher than it ended. Using the velocity vs. time graphs of both tests, an equation was identified and shown to work with identified inaccuracies, representing the acceleration in both situations. The derivations for this equation and the explanation behind data collection inaccuracies are provided in the lab report below.
The Dynamics Lab was an open-ended lab where students could design their researched scenario. My group decided to analyze the acceleration of a cart on a level, frictionless plane, fixed to another cart rolling down an angled plane, below the level plane. This lab attempted to model the redirection of forces as it connects to the gravitational impacts on an object on an angled plane, similar to the Acceleration on an Inclined Plane lab. This lab report entailed just the numerical analysis and conclusion sections as we had already been provided the methodology and introduction.