In this experiment, we will be exploring
- Newton’s 2nd Law i.e.F = ma
- The law of conservation of energy
- Velocity and acceleration
- Power
We will be using the Lego Mindstorm motor to lift weights with a pulley. 
The above image is the required equipment for this experiment. The device is called Battery on the bottom left side behind the weight, its role is to produce the electricity for the engine. The Weights (Mass) is the yellow object. Pulley is the device that looks identical to a balancing wheel, and the item that is mounted to the bottom of the pulley is called the Lego Mindstorm motor.
There are two tests to be conducted and each of them has two experiments
The First Test:
|
mass (kg) (input) |
0.05 | 0.1 | 0.15 | 0.2 | 0.25 |
| power level (%) force (input) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| RPM | 307.2 | 181.5 | 115.8 | 79.69 | 65.32 |
| battery discharge (mV) | 51.4 | 56.11 | 73.29 | 57.12 | 38.34 |
| time (s) | 0.4248 | 0.7401 | 1.41 | 1.614 | 2.09 |
| acceleration (RPM/s) | 901.4 | 205.2 | 78.83 | 47.42 | 30.9 |
| g (m/s^2) | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| h (m) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| mgh (J) | 0.147 | 0.294 | 0.441 | 0.588 | 0.735 |
| power (W) | 0.346045198 | 0.397243616 | 0.312765957 | 0.364312268 | 0.351674641 |
First Experiment: Acceleration (RPM/s) vs Mass (Kg) (Figure 1.1)
The main point of this experiment is to figure out how acceleration affects the mass. Specifically, I want to find out how quickly or slowly the heavier weights of the motor lift are accelerated using the pulley after each test with the same power level all over.
Figure 1.1
We can see that the heavier the weights, the slower the acceleration, based on Figure 1.1.
Second Experiment: Batter discharge (mV) vs energy (J) (Figure 1.2)
In this experiment, I am testing how the battery discharges more because, after-test, the Lego Mindstorm motor requires more energy to lift heavier weights.
Figure 1.2
The Second Test:
| mass (kg) (input) | 0.52 | 0.52 | 0.52 | 0.52 | 0.52 |
| power level (%) force (input) | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
| RPM | 3.945 | 12.76 | 27.61 | 40.14 | 52.06 |
| battery discharge (mV) | 50.44 | 23.26 | 80.98 | 79.46 | 52.58 |
| time (s) | 26.23 | 11.4 | 5.305 | 4.772 | 3.592 |
| acceleration (RPM/s) | 0.1478 | 1.289 | 4.066 | 7.342 | 12.36 |
| g (m/s^2) | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| h (m) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| mgh (J) | 1.5288 | 1.5288 | 1.5288 | 1.5288 | 1.5288 |
| power (W) | 0.058284407 | 0.134105263 | 0.288180961 | 0.320368818 | 0.425612472 |
First Experiment: Acceleration (RPM / s) vs Level (percent) of power (force) (Figure 2.1)
Understanding the function of Power Level is key in this experiment. Power Level can be defined as the force to trigger acceleration. Specifically, I would like to see for the Acceleration vs Power Level experiment whether the acceleration increases or decreases when the mass remains fixed but the Power Level increases after each test.
Figure 2.1
Second Experiment: Power (W) vs Power Level (%) (force) (Figure 2.2)
I will figure out in this experiment if the output rises or decreases as the Power Level rises after each trial.
Figure 2.2
Conclusion
The experiment has been successful in driving the understanding of the concepts being studied, including Newton’s 2nd law of motion, the principle of energy conservation, power, and velocity. It was found that acceleration decreases as an object’s mass are decreased, and an increase in power level results in acceleration decreases, affirming Newton’s 2nd law. The energy conservation law was also found as the mass rise resulted in decreased depletion of the battery capacity. The electricity from the batteries was turned into the consumers’ potential energy. Additionally, the power used decreases as the power output decreases as more work is performed to increase the acceleration. Thus, the experiment was influential in cementing the understanding of the subjects under study by the students.
