Name

Lab Partner Name

Experiment 4
Measuring g

Introduction
For this experiment, you will produce a formal lab report. The general guidelines for reports were included
in the lab syllabus. The specific rubric that will be used to grade the report for this experiment is included
at the end of this document. MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE RUBRIC WHEN WRITING YOUR
REPORT, AND INCLUDE ALL OF THE RELEVANT SECTIONS.

Learning Goals
(a) Design an unique experiment to determine gravitational acceleration

(b) Use two independent methods to determine a quantity experimentally

Available Equipment
For this activity, you will have access to an air track, carts, pulleys, weights, string, photogates, a motion
sensor, a force sensor, a balance, a ruler, and a timer.

Task
For this activity, you will design two independent experiments to determine gravitational acceleration.

You may use results of your homework assignment for one of the methods, but the second method should
be based on different ideas. Be inventive and enjoy the possibility to design a new unique experiment!

Lab Report
Include in your report the following for each independent experiment:

(a) Description of the experiment with a labeled sketch of the design and a brief outline of the procedure
you will use.

(b) A free-body diagram for the cart in the situation and a mathematical procedure you used to solve the
problem.

(c) List of assumptions about the objects, interactions, and processes you need to make to solve the
problem.

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 (d) Clear explanation on how these assumptions affect the result.

(e) List of possible sources of experimental uncertainty and clear description of steps that you took to
minimize them.

(f) Results of your measurements in an appropriate format.

(g) Data Analysis with detailed description of all calculation you did:

(a) The calculation of g.

(b) The evaluation of uncertainties.
(c) The final outcome of the experiments.

Also, in your lab report answer the following questions:

1. Are two values you obtained for gravitational acceleration consistent with each other? Take into
account assumptions and uncertainties.

2. If they are different, what are possible reasons?

3. Compare the values with the accepted value. Can the measured value be more than the accepted one?
Can it be less? Which measurement is more? Which is more precise?

4. Why do you have to conduct two independent experiments of g? Think about systematic uncertain-
ties!

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Appendix A: Rubric
Lab reports will be graded on basis of this rubric, 12.5 points for each section, 100 points total.

The purpose and method of the lab are clearly identified

Abstract and stated in the title and/or abstract. Final results are
summarized. Both are done succinctly.
The experiment solves the problem and has a high likeli-
Design
hood of producing data that will lead to a reliable solution.
Theory description is fully consistent with the experimen-
Theory tal design and illustrates an accurate understanding of sci-
entific concepts underlying the lab.
Minimizing
uncertainties, side The steps to minimize undesirable effects are effective and
effects and effects described clearly and explicitly.
of assumptions
Most relevant assumptions are correctly identified and the
Assumptions
effects of the assumptions are mentioned.
A sample calculation is shown for every computation and
Data Analysis
the results are correct and labeled appropriately.
All experimental uncertainties are correctly evaluated and
Error Analysis
propagated. A sample calculation is shown.
Final result of experiment is shown. An acceptable judg-
Conclusion and ment is made about the result, with clear reasoning. The
Judgment effects of assumptions and experimental uncertainties are
considered.