A glider (of mass Mg) floats frictionlessly on an air track. A string and pulley connect the glider to a hanging mass (of mass Mh). When the glider is released it accelerates due to the force of gravity on the hanging mass. The acceleration of the system (y, in m/s2) is measured as a function of the glider mass (x, in grams). (The hanging mass is not changed.) The acceleration is measured with an accuracy of 0.06 m/s2.

Newton's laws predict that the acceleration will be given by the formula:

1/a = (1/g) ( 1 + Mg/Mh)

where g = 9.8 m/s2 is the acceleration of gravity. Therefore the data should fit an "inverse y" relationship, where

A = 1/g

B = 1/(gMh)

  1. Fit this data to an inverse y relationship.
  2. Consider Newton's scientific claim of an inverse y relationship. Does this evidence (data) confirm or contradict this claim? Support your answer quantitatively.
  3. Properly report (sigfigs, error, units) the A and B parameters of the best-fit function.
  4. Use a spreadsheet to calculate the acceleration of gravity from A, and properly report (sigfigs, error, units) the value.
  5. Self-document the spreadsheet and turn in a hardcopy of the page.
  6. Make a hardcopy plot of the data with best-fit curve. Make an additional hardcopy plot with scales chosen so as to linearize the curve.

X
(g)		Y
(m/s2)
1804.83
2204.25
3403.32
4103.08
5302.41
5702.30
6501.92
8001.73
8401.66
8501.56