Physics 211 Experiment 1: Free Fall - Determining

the acceleration of gravity

Prior to Lab: Derive the numbered equations
(Equations 1, 2 and 3) in the lab instructions using the
definitions of velocity and acceleration (a=dv/dt and
v=dy/dt).
Object: The object of this experiment is to determine
the value of the acceleration of gravity by measuring
the rate of acceleration of a freely falling object. In
addition, one will be able to compare theory with
experiment for constantly accelerated motion.
Discussion: An object dropped near the earths
surface will accelerate uniformly with the
acceleration due to gravity (g) toward the earth. The
magnitude of g at the Berks Campus is 9.801 m/s2.
Thus according to the equation describing motion for
a uniformly accelerated object, its position y as a
function of time t is
y v ot

1 2
gt
2

(1)
where down is assumed to be the positive direction
and its initial position is at the origin of the
coordinate system used. A graph of this equation
would yield a parabolic curve as shown in the
example below.

y
Distance (m)

t
Time (s)

The speed can be determined from the equation (1)

by differentiating the displacement equation with
respect to time yielding
v v gt
(2)
which when graphed is the straight line as shown
o

v
Speed (m/s)

t
Time (s)

where the y-intercept is the initial speed v o and the

slope of the line is the acceleration g.

Apparatus: The
experiment makes use of
the Behr Free Fall
apparatus shown at the
right, a dc source to
power the electromagnet
needed to hold up the
falling object (plummet)
and a high voltage spark
generator to mark the
spark tape every 1/60
second (see figure below).
To measure the record
(spark tape), a 2-meter
stick is also needed.

Procedure:
1. For safety purposes follow the instructions of
your lab instructor carefully. The high voltage is
dangerous. DO NOT TOUCH THE LARGE
WHITE CERAMIC HIGH VOLTAGE
CONNECTOR OR ANY PART OF THE WIRE
LEADING FROM IT TO THE APPARATUS.
2. Start the spark generator, and immediately
thereafter open the switch controlling the magnet to
release the plummet. Turn off the spark generator as
soon as the plummet hits the ground.
3. With the lab instructors help, examine the spark
tape to see if the record (dots) are useable.
4. Remove the spark tape from the apparatus and lay
it flat on the table. Anchor its ends with some
masking tape.
5. Mark every third dot starting at the bottom of the
tape and working toward the top. There can be no
unusually large gaps or missing dots in this
marked set.
6. Starting at the top where the dots are closest
together, set the 10 cm mark of the 2 m stick on the

first dot on the tape ( t is set equal to zero here).

Measure the position of the marked dots of the tape.
Record these measurements on a table in the column
marked scale reading. (See the sample table below.)
Mark Ti Scale Distance Distanc Average
Number me Readin Below e Below Speed
t
g
First
First
y/t
(s) (cm)
Dot
Dot
y (cm)
y (m)
1
0
10.0
2
0.0 14.3
4.3
0.043
0.86
5
3
0.1 23.4
13.4
0.134
1.34
0
The first three columns are to be recorded at the time
of reading the spark tape. Calculate the last three
columns using a spread sheet program. The
distance/time column may be determined theoretically
by dividing y/t yielding
y
g
v t
(3)
t
2
which is the equation of a straight line with a y
intercept of vo and a slope of g/2.
o

7. With the data entered into a spread sheet, calculate

the last three columns.

Analysis:
1. Plot a graph of distance in meters vs. time in
seconds. Fit a quadratic (polynomial, order = 2) to the
data points. What is the shape of the curve? Is the
graph and equation of the trendline consistent with
theory? What value of g is indicated by the fit to the
data?
2. Plot a graph of average speed (y/t) vs. time and
determine its y intercept and slope using a linear
trendline. Is the shape of the curve consistent with
theory? The acceleration of gravity can be determined
from the slope of the graph; what is this value?
3. What is the meaning of the y intercept on the graph
plotted in step 2 of the analysis? What is its value?
What does this value tell you about the motion of the
plummet?
4. How does the value of g compare with the standard
value of g given in these instructions?