Core Practical 1: Finding g

2nd October 2018

1 Preparation
1.1 Aim
To find the value g using a freefall method.

1.2 Underlying Physics

Derivation of equation used to calculate acceleration. In this case, a will be g:

v = u + at
v−u
∴t=
a
v+u
s= t
  2 
u+v v−u
∴s=
2 a
(u + v) (v − u)
s=
2a
v 2 − u2
s=
2a
∴ v 2 − u2 = 2as
∴ v 2 = u2 + 2as

When we plot the graph v 2 against s, the gradient will be 2a. We know this
as u2 will always equal 0 as it is dropped with 0 velocity, therefore:

v 2 = 2as
v2
2a =
s
v2
m= ∴ m = 2as
s

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 References - The Chalkface.net, 4/10/2018

1.3 Prediction
I predict the value of g will be 9.8 ± 0.5

1.4 Diagram of Equipment

1.5 Explanation of Equipment

• Light gate - eliminates random error and provides a higher resolution

• Clamp - keeps ruler in stationary position so the distance between the

ruler and light gate will be constant

1.6 Method
• Setup equpiment as shown.
• Drop card from 5cm and record speed using light gate.
• Repeat three times to find mean speed.
• Repeat previous two steps in increasing height increments of 5cm up to a
height of 50cm

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 Hazard Risk Precaution
Falling card Landing on foot Cushion fall
Clamp Trap fingers Secure light gate slowly

Uncertainty or Error Impact on Experiment How to Minimise

If this height is too high,
Height the card is dropped from the value of g will be
too high.
If motion is not entirely
vertical, friction from
Flight path of card
the ruler may act on it, so
g will be too low.
If card has speed when
Initial velocity dropped g will be too
low.
Line up card slowly,
and repeat for each
height
Check card is
perpendicular to
ruler from above
before dropping.
Release card from
hand slowly.

1.7 Risk Assessment

1.8 Uncertainties

2 Results
2.1 Table

s v1 v2 v1 Mean v
/m /ms−1 /ms−1 /ms−1 /ms−1
0.05 1.358 1.348 1.356 1.354
0.10 1.691 1.699 1.708 1.699
0.15 1.954 1.991 1.965 1.970
0.20 2.224 2.214 2.298 2.245
0.25 2.429 2.421 2.424 2.425
0.30 2.644 2.654 2.654 2.651
0.35 2.815 2.820 2.840 2.825
0.40 3.023 2.980 2.985 2.996
0.45 3.158 3.165 3.145 3.156
0.50 3.329 3.325 3.333 3.329

2.2 Graph
2.3 Analysis
The gradient seen here is equal to 20.4s, giving a value for g of 10.2ms−2 . This
is only 0.4ms−2 away from the true value, so the result is fairly accurate, and

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conforms to my prediction.
Moreover, the R2 value for this line of regression is equal to 0.9997, sug-
gesting that the results gathered were incredibly precise. This high precision
but lower accuracy is suggestive of an error when setting up the equipment. I
suspect this to be due to the bottom of the ruler not being set exactly in paral-
lel to the lightgate. This would have meant that all distances were slightly too
high, and therefore all calculations of g would be too high. This supports what
is seen in the graph.
To minimise these imperfections, the placement of the ruler in the clamp
should be carefully checked to ensure that such an error is not repeated.
Z 1 Z 2
3f (x) dx + 2f (x) dx = 7,
0 1
Z 2 Z 2
f (x) dx + f (x) dx = 1.
0 1