Mass vs. Force Lab

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to measure the relationship between mass and force through careful calculations, predicting patterns, and creating graphs. In addition, we learned about the best fit line and how we solve for the slope of a line.

Summary of Big Questions: 

"How do we measure force in a reliable and repeatable way?"

We measure force in a reliable and repeatable way by predicting patterns in our data.  Our table measured the brass weights the same way  (held high, not touching any surfaces..etc.) to get the most accurate data. By using different weights to achieve different results, we eventually began seeing trends (the mass in kilograms required 10 times the force in Newtons). After consistent results, we made predictions that were proven correct with further measurements.

"What is the relationship between the mass of an object and the force needed to hold it in place?”

By using our graph,  our table was able to discover that it takes 10 Newtons of force to support each kilogram of mass. Often times the patterns were not precisely 10 because the tools that we used to measure the force were not exact but by using the best fit line (the line that best captures the pattern of the points) and finding the slope (rise/run) we were able to find the pattern in the graph which was

g(Force)=10N/kg(mass)

Data:
    




Real World Connection: Architects need to know Earth's gravitational constant (10 N/kg) because they need to know how much weight will support their structure from collapsing due to gravity. In a way, force is almost like magnets. Gravity is constantly pulling us towards the earth and in order to stop that force, an architect needs 10 Newtons of force per kilogram or weight in their structure. Weight is the force of gravity that is pulling the structure NOT the mass and the force of objects are different because different objects have different  masses but gravity STAYS THE SAME (10 N/kg).