Finding Acceleration Due to Gravity Using Ball Drop Method

640 Words2 Pages

Finding Acceleration Due to Gravity Using Ball Drop Method

Aim:

To calculate the acceleration due to gravity by dropping a ball from a

certain distance and recording the time

Hypothesis:

it is expected that the gravity should be within the same range for

each trial

Variables:

The independent variable = the distance

The dependent variable = the time

Controlled variables are: - the mass of the steel ball

- the position of the trip plate

-the length of the plumb line

Equipment:

- meter stick , half meter stick

- 1 steel ball

- Boss and clamp[IMAGE]

- Electronic Timing Device

- Release mechanism

- Plumb bob

-trip plate

Procedure:

- A steel ball was inserted between the jaws of the release mechanism

- The height was adjusted to 1 meter and half a meter, measured from

the bottom of the ball to the trip plate

- The plumb bob was used to locate the centre of the trip plate , to

ensure that the ball falls on it and to make sure the release

mechanism is perpendicular to the surface of the plate

- a circuit was made between the release mechanism, the trip plate and

the electronic timer. it was configured to start counting as soon as

the ball is released and to stop counting when it touched the plate

- The timer was switched on and RESET was pressed

- the thumbscrew was pressed to release the ball, it was held straight

rather than curved to achieve better results

- when the ball hits the plate, the spring comes up and the timer

stops

- the time was measured

- The distance ( independent variable) was varied by moving the clamp

upwards or downwards until the distance from the bottom of the ball

equals 0.5 m or 1 m

- The time was read from the electronic timing device

- The same steel ball was used through out the experiment and the

More about Finding Acceleration Due to Gravity Using Ball Drop Method

Open Document