Final answer:
The Atwood machine measures acceleration due to gravity by using two different masses connected over a pulley. The acceleration is calculated using a formula derived from Newton's second law, allowing for the determination of the local gravitational field strength.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Atwood machine is an experimental setup used to measure the acceleration due to gravity (g). It consists of two masses, m1 and m2, connected by a string that passes over a frictionless pulley. When the system is released, the heavier mass (m2) will fall, while the lighter mass (m1) will rise, causing the system to accelerate.
To determine the acceleration of the system, one must use the formula a = (m2 - m1)g / (m1 + m2). This equation is derived from Newton's second law of motion (F = ma) and the gravitational force (Weight = mg). The significance of this setup is that it allows us to measure the local gravitational field strength by calculating the acceleration of the system and then rearranging the equation to solve for g.
Measurements necessary include the masses of the objects (m1 and m2) and the acceleration a. One must also ensure that variables such as the mass of the string and pulley are negligible or constant to maintain accuracy. To record your measurements, use a stopwatch to measure the time it takes for one of the masses to reach a predetermined height.