PHYSICS LABORATORY Lab #2 STUDYING FREE - FALL

STUDENT : ALEX UNG STUDENT ID : 1324783 COURSE : PHY 231 PROFESSOR CARPIO

Objective: In this lab, we are going to be studying Free-Fall. From our data measurement, we will try to the best of our abilities calculate the value of g. The value of g at sea level is calculated to be 9.8 m/s2. Having read the procedure of our experiment before hand, we are going have to understand that our calculated value of g will not be 9.8 m/s2 but close top it. How close to 9.8 is yet to be determine. We will also be computing our percentage error as well. From this percentage will will try to deduce where the defects of our experiment is. From this, it will help us to explain the margin of error. Equipment Setup:

Acceleration Due to Gravity:

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Place the steel ball on the drop box. Set the timer to Time: Two Gates mode. Measure the distance between the bottom of the ball and the plate and record in table Release the ball using the timer switch and record the time it takes to fall. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with solid golf ball and again with the large plastic ball. Adjust the height of the drop box and repeat steps 2 through 4.

STEEL BALL
Measure 1 2 3 4 5 6 d (m) 0.72 6 0.67 7 0.63 2 0.57 9 0.52 7 0.46 6 s 0.390 3 0.376 5 0.363 8 0.348 2 0.332 1 0.313 9 s2 0.152 3 0.141 8 0.132 4 0.121 2 0.110 3 0.098 5 1 2 3 4 5 6

SOLID GOLF BALL

Measure d (m) 0.65 0.54 8 0.51 5 0.45 3 0.37 7 0.37 6 s 0.352 0.336 3 0.326 0.305 6 0.278 4 0.250 9 s2 0.123 9 0.113 1 0.106 3 0.093 4 0.077 5 0.063 0

LARGE PLASTIC BALL

Measure 1 2 3 4 5 6 d (m) 0.67 5 0.60 2 0.53 5 0.46 0.38 1 0.29 7 s 0.380 1 0.359 1 0.338 0.312 3 0.284 6 0.25 s2 0.144 5 0.129 0 0.114 2 0.097 5 0.081 0 0.062 5

(7) Using Excel, make a graph of Distance vs. Time2 for all three balls. (8) Using Excel, determine the equation of the best-fit line through your data points. (9) Format these graphs so that all three can fit on one piece of paper before printing them out.

#7-#9:

(1) Compare the kinematics equation governing the motion and the general equation for a straight line to prove that the graph you made should be a straight line. Use this to show what the slope and y-intercept of the graph should be in terms of g.

(2) What are the actual slope and y-intercept for the three graphs that you made? Calculate the gravitational acceleration for all three balls from this and determine the percent error.

(3) Comment on why the acceleration due to gravity is less for the plastic ball. Why do the other two balls not have such a low value for the acceleration?

(4) If a ball is thrown upwards and returns, does its acceleration increase, decrease, or remain the same during its motion? What about the velocity?

(5) What is the shape of the Distance vs. Time graph for this lab? Give a conceptual explanation (without using any equations or calculations) as to why it should look like this.