'G' by Free Fall Experiment Lab Report

‘g’ by free fall
Assessment criteria: Exploration, Analysis, Presentation

You have already collected the data for this experiment. You need to submit the report in the
following format:
Method of data collection: Experimental Observation
Material and setup:
1. Uniformly shaped object (Ball)
2. Length Measuring device with known least count (30 Centimetre Scale)
3. Reference point for heights (Flat wall)
4. Accurate stopwatch
5. Good reflexes.
Setup:
Mark appropriate height intervals at 1m, 1.5m, 2m and 2.5m
Independent variable
1. Height of fall
Dependent variable
1. Time taken for the fall
Controlled variable
1. Object used
2. Measuring device (30 cm Ruler with least count 0.0001m)
3. Stopwatch (seconds: milliseconds)
4. Reference point (Flat, static, non-moving, non-living wall)
5. Start Mark (bottom of the object resting on top of the mark)
Variable How it is controlled Why it needs to be
controlled
Object Used A small ball is used To make sure that air
throughout the experiment. resistance and other factors
are constant.
Length Measuring Device A 30 cm ruler is used To make sure that the object
throughout the experiment falls from the same height
for three trials. And
maintain accuracy in
calculations
Stopwatch The same stopwatch with To make sure that the
the exact same settings is duration of the fall is
used for every trial. recorded accurately and
correctly.
Reference point The same points on the same To make sure that the
wall are used for the measured distances are
markings. followed. And to make the
experiment more convenient
Start Mark The marking is a thin To make sure that the object
straight line, parallel to the starts from the same point
ground. on the wall.
Procedure:
1. Calibrate all your measuring devices and set them with the appropriate units
2. Using the ruler, measure 100 cm from the ground on the wall and mark with a marker.
3. With the object in one hand and the stopwatch in the other, drop it from the top of the
marked line and start the stopwatch at the same time.
4. As soon as the object hits the ground, stop the stopwatch.
5. Record your results in a tabular form noting the height in metres and the time taken.
6. Repeat three times for the same height
7. Repeat for all heights.
Raw data: (insert rows as per your requirement)

Height, Time1, Time2, Time3, Average ΔT[=(max-
H(m) ±ΔH t1±Δt1s t2±Δt2s t3±Δt3s time, T(s) min)/2]
1m ± 0.48s ± 0.01s 0.5s ± 0.01s 0.45s ± 0.01s 0.476s 0.025
0.001m
1.5m ± 0.57s ± 0.01s 0.55s ± 0.01s 0.59s ± 0.01s 0.57s 0.02
0.001m
2m ± 1.23s ± 0.01s 1.3s ± 0.01s 1.37s ± 0.01s 1.3s 0.07
0.001m
2.5m ± 1.5s ± 0.01s 1.4s ± 0.01s 1.43s ± 0.01s 1.44s 0.05
0.001m
H = ut+(1/2 )gT2
g= 2H/T2
Calculate Δg using the rules that you have practiced in class.

∆H ∆t
∆ g=g[
H
−2 ( )
t
]
Height, H(m) Average time, ΔT[=(max- g/ ms-2 Δg /ms-2

±ΔH T(s) min)/2](s)
1m ± 0.001m 0.476s 0.025 8.83 0.918
1.5m ± 0.001m 0.57s 0.02 9.23 0.641
2m ± 0.001m 1.3s 0.07 2.36 0.253
2.5m ± 0.001m 1.44s 0.05 2.55 0.176
Average value of g ±Δg
5.74 ± 0.742 ms-1
(Δg = (max – min)/2)
Plot an appropriate graph whose gradient will give you the value of g. Plot the error bars.
Analysis and evaluation:

Observe the trend seen. Comment on the value of g. Mention the possible sources of errors
and ways to improve the method of data collection. You could also suggest an entirely
different method for determining g.
The trendline is an exponential curve. This means that gravitational acceleration decreases
exponentially with increase in distance from the centre of the earth.
The errors in the data were most probably human errors like reaction time in stopping the
watch and delays between the drop and the timer. Also, the distance measurement was a
crude estimate.
The data could be improved by using a mechanism which releases the object at the same
height and time. Using a pulley and a string attached to the object would get better results.
With some experience in computer programming, an automated collection system could be

made using a push button at the bottom of the drop which would signal the stopping of the
timer. Larger distances would give more accurate results but would also include more
environmental factors like air resistance.
Pulley
Object

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‘g’ by free fall

Assessment criteria: Exploration, Analysis, Presentation

Raw data: (insert rows as per your requirement)

Calculate Δg using the rules that you have practiced in class.

Height, H(m) Average time, ΔT[=(max- g/ ms-2 Δg /ms-2

Analysis and evaluation:

With some experience in computer programming, an automated collection system could be

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