PHY250L LAB 2
( KINEMATICS )
ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 GRADED A+ .
,Lab 2 Kinematics PHY250L
Student Name:
Access Code (located on the underside of the lid of your lab kit): AC - OUOQJD.
Lab Report Format Expectations
Utilize college level grammar and formaṄng when answering text based questions. Report
all equations in a proper mathematical format, with the correct signs and symbols.
Submissions with incomplete or improperly formatted responses may be rejected.
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the acceleration of a ball that is vertically tossed up when it reaches its maximum height
✔✔ correct answer The acceleration of the ball is -9.8m/s.
2. Describe what the slopes of a position vs. time graph mean in relation to velocity.
On a position/time graph, the slope at a given point represents instantaneous velocity of an object. A
steeper slope means there is a lower velocity and a more shallow slope means there is lower
velocity.
3. State the 1D and 2D kinematics equations you will use in this lab in variable form. (Do not state
equations that you will not use.)
• Displacement: s=ut+(1/2)at^2 • Final velocity: v=u+at • Final velocity squared: v^2=u^2+2as.
4. Why is it important to consider the X and Y components of the kinematics equations independently ✔✔
correct answer
Because in two dimensional motions, the X and Y components are independent of each other and the
motion in one direction is different from the motion in the perpendicular direction.
,Lab 2 Kinematics PHY250L
EXPERIMENT 1: FREE FALL CALCULATIONS
Introduction Questions
1. This experiment contains two separate tasks: one where you will drop two strings with hex nuts
tied at varying intervals, and another where you will drop a single hex nut from a specific height.
In your own words, explain the steps you will take in preparing the ropes for the first task. Your
lab will not be graded without a detailed explanation that reflects your understanding of the
preparation for this experiment.
I will start by measuring my string to 2.5m and cut it accordingly. Next I will take the hex nuts
one by one and tie them on the string so they will not move 40 cm apart until you reach the end of
the string. I will also take note that there may be some extra string leftover. Lastly I will hold the
string over the pan to make sure the hex nuts are not moving. I am then ready to begin testing.
2. What measurements will you be required to take during this experiment ✔✔ correct answer
I will measure my drop height and the timing of the drop 3 consecutive times to find the
average. I will also measure the spacing between the nuts for each of the two patterns I am
conducting tests with.
3. If you drop a ball, and then one second later drop a ball identical in mass, size and shape, what
happens to the distance between them as they fall ✔✔ correct answer The answer to this
question is integral to understanding the rest of the lab, so ensure you have a full understanding
of it before answering.
The distance between the two balls will steadily increase as they fall because of constant
acceleration. Both of the balls will experience the same acceleration regardless of their mass but
since the second but was dropped later it will stay behind the first ball. As the first ball falls, the
distance will increase at a constant rate because of gravity multiplied by the time difference
which is one second. The gap between the two will be close to 9.8 seconds.
4. How do you think Question 3, above, pertains to this experiment ✔✔ correct answer
I think it is important to understand how constant acceleration affects objects falling from a
specific height. Since we are dropping hex nuts at varying distances from the ground it is good to
know that the gap distance is the time difference between two objects multiplied by the gravity.
5. From what height will you drop the single hex nut
✔✔ correct answer 1.8m.
6. Using the kinematics equations, calculate the length of time it will take the single hex nut to
land, given the height that you provided. You must show the specified portions of the
calculation:
, Lab 2 Kinematics PHY250L
a. State the kinematics equation you will use in variable form. It must be legible and have
the proper formatting.
D=1/2gt^2
b. Solve the above equation for the time variable. Your equation must have proper
formatting and should be in variable format.
t^2 = 2d/g
c. t= √❑d2/g
d. Solve for the predicted time it will take for the hex nut to reach the ground.
0.61s.
Data and Observations
In the table below, input your observations of the time it took for the hex nut to fall from the height you
specified in the previous section.
Table 1. Washer Free Fall Data
Trial Drop Height (m) Time (s)
1 1.8 m 0.87s
2 1.8m 0.85s
3 1.8m 0.88s
Average 1.8 m 0.8s
1. Clearly describe the pattern of noise generated by the equally spaced hex nut pattern.
Specifically, was the pattern consistent, or did it change as the rope descended ✔✔
correct answer
The equally spaced hex nuts had a specific pattern. the noise generated was constant speed
clanging pattern as it hit the pan at the same noise levels for each hex nut..
2. Clearly describe the pattern of noise generated by the unequally spaced hex nut pattern.
Specifically, was the pattern consistent, or did it change as the rope descended ✔✔
correct answer
The unevenly space nuts generated an opposite noise effect. As the rope descended, the clanging
noise got louder towards the end of the rope. The closer hex nuts showed that the clanging
( KINEMATICS )
ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 GRADED A+ .
,Lab 2 Kinematics PHY250L
Student Name:
Access Code (located on the underside of the lid of your lab kit): AC - OUOQJD.
Lab Report Format Expectations
Utilize college level grammar and formaṄng when answering text based questions. Report
all equations in a proper mathematical format, with the correct signs and symbols.
Submissions with incomplete or improperly formatted responses may be rejected.
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the acceleration of a ball that is vertically tossed up when it reaches its maximum height
✔✔ correct answer The acceleration of the ball is -9.8m/s.
2. Describe what the slopes of a position vs. time graph mean in relation to velocity.
On a position/time graph, the slope at a given point represents instantaneous velocity of an object. A
steeper slope means there is a lower velocity and a more shallow slope means there is lower
velocity.
3. State the 1D and 2D kinematics equations you will use in this lab in variable form. (Do not state
equations that you will not use.)
• Displacement: s=ut+(1/2)at^2 • Final velocity: v=u+at • Final velocity squared: v^2=u^2+2as.
4. Why is it important to consider the X and Y components of the kinematics equations independently ✔✔
correct answer
Because in two dimensional motions, the X and Y components are independent of each other and the
motion in one direction is different from the motion in the perpendicular direction.
,Lab 2 Kinematics PHY250L
EXPERIMENT 1: FREE FALL CALCULATIONS
Introduction Questions
1. This experiment contains two separate tasks: one where you will drop two strings with hex nuts
tied at varying intervals, and another where you will drop a single hex nut from a specific height.
In your own words, explain the steps you will take in preparing the ropes for the first task. Your
lab will not be graded without a detailed explanation that reflects your understanding of the
preparation for this experiment.
I will start by measuring my string to 2.5m and cut it accordingly. Next I will take the hex nuts
one by one and tie them on the string so they will not move 40 cm apart until you reach the end of
the string. I will also take note that there may be some extra string leftover. Lastly I will hold the
string over the pan to make sure the hex nuts are not moving. I am then ready to begin testing.
2. What measurements will you be required to take during this experiment ✔✔ correct answer
I will measure my drop height and the timing of the drop 3 consecutive times to find the
average. I will also measure the spacing between the nuts for each of the two patterns I am
conducting tests with.
3. If you drop a ball, and then one second later drop a ball identical in mass, size and shape, what
happens to the distance between them as they fall ✔✔ correct answer The answer to this
question is integral to understanding the rest of the lab, so ensure you have a full understanding
of it before answering.
The distance between the two balls will steadily increase as they fall because of constant
acceleration. Both of the balls will experience the same acceleration regardless of their mass but
since the second but was dropped later it will stay behind the first ball. As the first ball falls, the
distance will increase at a constant rate because of gravity multiplied by the time difference
which is one second. The gap between the two will be close to 9.8 seconds.
4. How do you think Question 3, above, pertains to this experiment ✔✔ correct answer
I think it is important to understand how constant acceleration affects objects falling from a
specific height. Since we are dropping hex nuts at varying distances from the ground it is good to
know that the gap distance is the time difference between two objects multiplied by the gravity.
5. From what height will you drop the single hex nut
✔✔ correct answer 1.8m.
6. Using the kinematics equations, calculate the length of time it will take the single hex nut to
land, given the height that you provided. You must show the specified portions of the
calculation:
, Lab 2 Kinematics PHY250L
a. State the kinematics equation you will use in variable form. It must be legible and have
the proper formatting.
D=1/2gt^2
b. Solve the above equation for the time variable. Your equation must have proper
formatting and should be in variable format.
t^2 = 2d/g
c. t= √❑d2/g
d. Solve for the predicted time it will take for the hex nut to reach the ground.
0.61s.
Data and Observations
In the table below, input your observations of the time it took for the hex nut to fall from the height you
specified in the previous section.
Table 1. Washer Free Fall Data
Trial Drop Height (m) Time (s)
1 1.8 m 0.87s
2 1.8m 0.85s
3 1.8m 0.88s
Average 1.8 m 0.8s
1. Clearly describe the pattern of noise generated by the equally spaced hex nut pattern.
Specifically, was the pattern consistent, or did it change as the rope descended ✔✔
correct answer
The equally spaced hex nuts had a specific pattern. the noise generated was constant speed
clanging pattern as it hit the pan at the same noise levels for each hex nut..
2. Clearly describe the pattern of noise generated by the unequally spaced hex nut pattern.
Specifically, was the pattern consistent, or did it change as the rope descended ✔✔
correct answer
The unevenly space nuts generated an opposite noise effect. As the rope descended, the clanging
noise got louder towards the end of the rope. The closer hex nuts showed that the clanging
