FINDING ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY LAB MANUAL
FINDING ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY LAB SOFTWARE
FINDING ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY LAB SERIES

Small variations between individual results should be observed and possible sources of error discussed.If you do this as a class experiment, students should be prompted to ask questions about the results and the process involved in collecting them. You can orchestrate discussion as the experiment proceeds. These can be used to prompt students' thinking. One of the chief values of real-time data-logging, exemplified here, is the interaction between the collection and simultaneous display of results.A straight line is the usual result, showing that the velocity squared is proportional to the height fallen. Use the program to calculate a new column of data representing the square of the velocity.This is usually of the form 'velocity is proportional to the square root of height'. (Y axis: velocity X axis: height fallen.) Use a curve matching tool to identify the algebraic form of the relationship. The relationship between velocity and height fallen is more precisely investigated by plotting a XY graph of these two quantities.

Note the relative increase in values of velocity as greater heights are chosen. Depending upon the software, the results may be displayed on a bar chart as the experiment proceeds.

FINDING ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY LAB SERIES

Collect a series of measurements, each time increasing the height by 2 cm.Repeat this procedure for a new starting height 2 cm above the first.Repeat this measurement from the same height several times enter the height value in the height column of the table in the computer program. Release the card so that it cuts through the light beam a velocity measurement should appear in the table on the screen. Hold the card above the light gate and next to the ruler so that its height above the gate may be measured carefully.

FINDING ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY LAB MANUAL

This should also include a column for the manual entry of distance measurements taken from the ruler. A series of results is accumulated in a table.

FINDING ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY LAB SOFTWARE

Adding two small blobs of Blutack, at the lower corners, will improve the stability of the card as it falls.Ĭonfigure the data-logging software to measure the transit time and calculate the velocity as the card passes through the light gate. Measurements of the height fallen by the card should be made to this line rather than the lower or upper edge of the card. Draw a pencil line across the width of the card at exactly half its length. Clamp a ruler so that the vertical distance may be measured from above the level of the light gate.Ĭut black card to the precise length of 10.0 cm. Read our standard health & safety guidanceĬlamp the light gate about 20 cm above the bench. The emphasis of this datalogging experiment is on investigating the relationship between the velocity of the card and the distance it has fallen from rest.

The acceleration of an object allowed to fall under the force of gravity is found by dropping a card vertically through a light gate.

Finding acceleration due to gravity lab