Full Atwood Machines
Overview
Link to Experience: https://play.phenomena.app/player/JVqVJ9vNyO2jtBvtgJta
Topics: physics, force, Atwood machines, net force, tension, kinematics, mass, acceleration, Newton’s second law
Grades: 11-12
Standards: NGSS HS-PS2-1
Duration to complete: 10-15 minutes
Learning outcome: Students will be able to read the free-body diagrams that can be drawn on an Atwood machine, will gain a deeper understanding of Newton’s Second Law, and will be able to calculate net force and tension.
In the Classroom
Pre-Experience (Things to Look Out For):
Review: What is Newton’s Second Law?
Have you ever used an Atwood machine before? What do you think they do?
What forces are involved in an Atwood machine?
Post-Experience (Things to Think About):
In what ways is the Atwood Machine idealized? Think about what factors could affect net forces.
How do the net force equations change depending on which mass is heavier?
How can you increase the acceleration of an Atwood Machine?
Does tension differ on both sides of the rope? Why do you think that is?