Is my weight normal?
Is my weight normal?
The normal force is a reactionary force that occurs due to Newton's 3rd Law. When we stand on a bathroom scale the readin" rel="nofollow">ing on the scale measures the normal force
exerted by the scale in" rel="nofollow">in reaction to the force of your mass that is bein" rel="nofollow">ing exerted on the scale. On a flat horizontal surface, the scale readin" rel="nofollow">ing should be the same as
your mass. But what happens when the scale is on a surface that is not horizontal? Your task is to measure the normal force on an in" rel="nofollow">inclin" rel="nofollow">ine.
Instructions:
1.Derive the formula for the normal force as a function of in" rel="nofollow">inclin" rel="nofollow">ine angle.
2.Usin" rel="nofollow">ing a bathroom floor scale or a kitchen top scale, measure the change in" rel="nofollow">in the normal force for a given mass as a function of in" rel="nofollow">inclin" rel="nofollow">ine angle. You will need to take
measurements (multiple measurements at each angle) at least 5 different in" rel="nofollow">inclin" rel="nofollow">ine angles. All measurements must in" rel="nofollow">include any uncertain" rel="nofollow">inties.
3.Plot the measured normal force as a function of in" rel="nofollow">inclin" rel="nofollow">ine angle and compare your results with that predicted by the formula derived in" rel="nofollow">in poin" rel="nofollow">int 1.
4.Discuss your fin" rel="nofollow">indin" rel="nofollow">ings and describe how the angle of the surface affects the normal force.
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Description
In this assignment, you are required to in" rel="nofollow">investigate the dependence of the normal force on an in" rel="nofollow">inclin" rel="nofollow">ined surface.
This assignment is worth 6 marks overall.
Solutions to be submitted to the assessment dropbox by 20:00 /9 Sep 2016.
This assignment can be done in" rel="nofollow">individually or in" rel="nofollow">in teams of 2 students.