Free Fall Lab Report
Name and Last Name:
Theory
Free fall refers to the motion of an object under the influence of gravity alone, with
-
negligible air resistance. In a vacuum, all objects, regardless of mass, fall at the
&
same acceleration due to gravity, g , which is approximately 9.81 m/s² near the
Earth’s surface. Using kinematic equations, the distance s fallen by an object can
be described as:
1 2
𝑠= 2
𝑔𝑡
Where:
• s is the distance fallen (m),
• g is the acceleration due to gravity (m/s²),
• t is the time taken to fall (s).
By measuring the time for an object to fall a known distance, we can calculate the
acceleration due to gravity.
Hypothesis
It is expected that the time taken for an object to fall a certain distance will be
1 2
consistent with the predicted value based on the equation 𝑠 = 2
𝑔𝑡 . By plotting a
2 𝑔
graph of distance 𝑠 vs. time squared 𝑡 , the gradient should be equal to 2
.
Materials
• Stopwatch
• Meter ruler (or tape measure)
• Object for dropping (e.g., a ball)
• Clamp stand or elevated platform
• Graph paper or data logger
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
8
Set up the apparatus by measuring and marking a height s from
which to drop the object. Ensure this distance is measured accurately.
Drop the object from rest and simultaneously start the stopwatch.
Measure the time 𝑡 it takes for the object to hit the ground.
Repeat the experiment at least 5 times for accuracy and calculate the
average time.
5. Repeat the procedure for different heights and record the time for each
height.
6. Record your results in the raw data table, including uncertainties.
Raw Data Table
𝑡 / ±…….
0 01 s .
s/ Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trail 4 Trial 5
±……. cm
0 2
.
167 0 61 0 51 0 59 0 53
0 56
.
.
.
. .
157 0 54 . 0 49 . 0 .
54 0 48
.
0 .
56
147 0 48 . 0 54 .
0 5).
0 49 .
0 .
62
&
137
0 48
. 0 53.
0 53 .
. 49
0 0 .
50
127 0 54 .
0 48.
0 .
45 0 .
460 44 .
Table1:Variation of time of fall with distance fallen.
+zg + 2
Processed Data Table
S =
s/ 𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔 Δ𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔 2
Δ𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔
2
-
𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔
±……… m
167 0 S600 S 0 314 + 0
06
6369
.
.
. ,
, S
71 544) 157 8 . S22 1004 0 . 283 10 04 .
.
&
1
1 47 . S10
0 + 0 03 0 260 + 0
C4
3041
.
1)
.
,
.
1 1 37
10 . 5385
,
. 506 0 03
0 . 6 .
256 + 0 .
03
11 2889 .
1 27 0 .
444 too 0 225 .
to OS .
Table 2: Processed data table
2
164 =
1 .
g .
(0 56) .
0
, 56 + 0
, 61 +
0 .
51 + 0 .
59 + 0 33 .
= 0 56
.
-05) .
05 De
2 2
Sample Calculation for 𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔,Δ𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔,𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔,Δ𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔
-
+
2
562
-
= (0 .
= 0 314
.
Analysis
0 56 0 5
St ?
.
2
● Plot the graph of s versus 𝑡𝑎𝑣𝑔.
100
X
3 ● Draw error bars on the graph
● Draw best fit line of the data
- X =
9 9
● Determine the slope of the graph and calculate the value of g .
.
=29 2
100 8S .
0 .
56 X
X = 0 . 03
● Compare the experimental value of g to the accepted value of 9.8
m/s².
5 =
10 .
63657314
S =
Eg + 2
1 67
,
=
+ .
9 ,
10 .
3141006)
● Calculate the percentage error and identify possible sources of error.
=
2
632- 5
-
11 .
6 . 8
%. 12
8878/ .
Error Analysis
● Identify possible sources of error, such as reaction time in
starting/stopping the stopwatch, air resistance, or inaccuracies in
height measurement.
The
possible reasons for the error were the the stopwath,
reaction time to start/stop
the insufficient sensitivity the
of measurement insturments , inaccuracies in measurements, air
resistance and other possible errors.
● Discuss how uncertainties in measuring time and height affect the
accuracy of your calculated value of g .
-
I
The uncertainities the
of instruments
effected the Jessebilyy of
the experiment
● Suggest improvements to reduce these errors.
- More sensitive measurement can be made by using
more
precise insturments ·
Conclusion - the air resistance for be calculated to find the accurant
.
result
● Was your hypothesis supported by the data?
No , because of diffrent types of
errors the resulti wasn't accurate .
● How closely did your experimental value of g match the accepted
value?
-
% 12 .
Tot
error
not close
● What could be done to improve the accuracy of your results in future
experiments?
Use of Precise Instruments ;
-The datas calculated
by precise
insturments will be more accuse
Decreasing Environmental Effect ;
-the experiment can be made at a medium
with less enviromental factors that
u
effect the experiment (ex : air
resistance
Repeating ;
The experiment can be repeated mote
which will lead to a more accurat ang
rest .
t
d (m)
1 67-
.
757-
1
,
47-
1 ,34-
1 27 -
,
&
s
d
00
- 314
0
0 . 242
6 260 .
0 .
256
0 225 .
