Journal of Emerging Scholarship

For students in introductory physics labs, the modified Atwood Machine is a widely used setup for investigating Newtonian mechanics. However, several aspects of this machine can lead to significant deviations from expected results. This paper examines both optimal and suboptimal experimental techniques and identifies which components of the setup (such as pulley friction, mass ratio, and track angle) most significantly affect the experimental acceleration values in comparison to calculated expectations. Findings show that maintaining hanging masses between 30–50 g and cart masses near 1 kg, keeping the track level, and selecting ideal pulleys produce the most accurate and precise results, whereas neglecting these factors can lead to significant deviations. The study was divided into two parts, referred to as large-scale modifications, which involve deliberate changes to experimental variables such as mass or track angle, and unintentional variations, involving minor accidental deviations such as slight inconsistencies in mass, track leveling, or string alignment. Additionally, guidance is provided on properly conducting the experiment to help students perform laboratory experiments more carefully and accurately, while encouraging professors to reconsider how the accuracy component of this lab is assessed. This includes providing students with friction coefficients, ensuring careful setup, and accounting for systematic errors. The recommended methods and ranges were based on results that demonstrated both precision and accuracy during this experiment.