Experiment 3:

Free Fall
Physics 71.1 Final Presentation

Group 3 Cecilia, Chua, Cortez

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Overview
Introduction Analysis 1

Methodology Analysis II

Conclusion

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INTRODUCTION
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Introduction to
Free Fall
Free fall happens when the only force acting
on an object is the Earth’s gravitational force.

Acceleration due to gravity: |g| = 9.81 m/s^2

Comes from Newton’s 2nd Law (F = ma)

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Newton’s Second Law of Motion
The acceleration of an object depends on the net force acting on the object
and the mass of the object.

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Newton’s Second Law of Motion

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Newton’s Second Law of Motion

During free fall, the

net force is gravity.

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Kinematic Equations to be used
Since an object during free-fall is undergoing constant acceleration:

In the experiment, instantaneous velocities and the relative positions of a free-

falling ball will be obtained and compared with using these equations.

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METHODOLOGY
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MATERIALS

G-ball Stopwatch

Meter stick Masking tape

Mat Spreadsheet Application

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Determining the acceleration due to gravity

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Determining the acceleration due to gravity

Once finished, create a scatter plot of your data using a spreadsheet

application.
Note:
y-axis: height of the ball dropped
x-axis is the square of the average time of flight

Calculate the best estimate for the acceleration due to gravity g by using
the slope of the best fit line from the scatter plot previously made.

Calculate the percent error with the theoretical value.

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Interpolating an unknown height

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Interpolating an unknown height

Determine the unknown height by plugging in the square of the average

time as the x-value in your calculated best fit line from the scatter plot.

Calculate the percent error from the actual height.

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Objectives

In this experiment, the students are expected to achieve the following:

Experimentally measure the acceleration due to gravity.
Create graphs using a spreadsheet and use graphical analysis to
describe the motion of an object in free fall.
Determine the heights at which an object was dropped based on the
time of flight data.

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DATA
ANALYSIS
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 Analysis I:
Determining the
Acceleration due to
Gravity
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Table 1. Recorded free-fall durations per height

Height (m) Trial 1 time (s) Trial 2 time (s) Trial 3 time (s) Ave. time (s)

0.30 0.23 0.23 0.25 0.237

0.60 0.34 0.34 0.33 0.337

0.90 0.40 0.41 0.42 0.410

1.20 0.55 0.52 0.53 0.533

1.50 0.55 0.56 0.58 0.563

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Figure 1. Recorded free-fall durations per height

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Figure 2. Height dropped versus time-squared plot of
the G-ball

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Calculation of best estimate for acceleration due to
gravity g

equation of the line:

kinematic equation (free-fall):

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Calculation of best estimate for acceleration due to
gravity g (continued)

working equation: Acceleration due

Height (m) Average time (s)
to gravity (m/s²)

0.30 0.237 10.682

0.60 0.337 10.566

0.90 0.410 10.708

1.20 0.533 8.448

1.50 0.563 9.465

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Calculation of best estimate for acceleration due to
gravity g (continued)

Height Average Acceleration due

average calculated g
(m) time (s) to gravity (m/s²)

0.30 0.237 10.682

9.9738 m/s²
0.60 0.337 10.566
percent error

0.90 0.410 10.708

1.20 0.533 8.448

1.50 0.563 9.465 =

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Additional Notes

Justification of trendline and

connection to theory

Illustrates relationship and linearity

The form of the kinematic equation and

implies a linear relationship
If b = 0, m = 1/2(g)

Provides way to calculate

acceleration due to gravity
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Additional Notes

Coefficient of determination
and percent error
Acceptability of results

High linearity
R²: how much of the variance in the and
dependent variable is “explained” by the
independent variable

Low percent error

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 Analysis II:
Interpolating an
Unknown Height
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TABLE W2: Results for the unknown height

Trials Time

Trial 1 0.47

Trial 2 0.48

Trial 3 0.48

Trial 4 0.48

Trial 5 0.51

Actual Height 1.00 m

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Calculations of unknown height

kinematic equation (free-fall):

Acceleration due to gravity:

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Calculations of unknown height (contd)

rec. calc.
Trial
time height

1 0.47 1.0835

2 0.48 1.13

3 0.48 1.13

4 0.48 1.13

5 0.51 1.2755

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Calculations of unknown height (contd)
height calculated:

height actual:

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Conclusion

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Objectives Met:

Experimentally measure the acceleration due to gravity.

Create graphs using a spreadsheet and use graphical analysis to

describe the motion of an object in free fall.

Determine the heights at which an object was dropped based on the

time of flight data.

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Possible Sources of Error:
human error
reaction time
height inconsistencies
equipment error
ball not working
phone lag
measuring stick inconsistencies
extraneous factors
air resistance
elevation Page 33 of 36
Points for improvement:

more trials
minimize variance
closer to true mean
automated procedure
better testing conditions
less air resistance
non elevated altitude

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Open Forum

Any questions?

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Thank You.

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