Morgolut Yevdayeva
Partners: Ya Lin Tan and Anisha Zaman
Experiment 1: Acceleration of gravity
2/5/15

Experimental Objectives

The purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate uncertainty in measurements in the laboratory. The measurement is that of time. Data from this experiment shows methods of approximating the preeminent values of the measured quantity and its reliability. The results of Part A are used to find the acceleration due to gravity.

Results and Data

Part A: Heavier steel ball

Distance = 189.2 cm

Time t (s)
# of trials
0.616
1
0.617
9
0.618
5
0.619
5

Average time: tavg = 0.618 (s)

Standard Deviation =

Experimental value of free-fall time from the distance 189.2 cm is =

Acceleration due to gravity =

Part B: Lighter Steel Ball Distance = 189.4 cm

Average time tavg = 0.621 (s)

Distance d (cm)
Time tavg (s)
(Time)2 tavg2 (s2)
Acceleration g (cm/s2)
40
0.285
0.081
985
60
0.332
0.110
1.09 * 103
80
0.402
0.162
990
100
0.443
0.196
1020
130
0.520
0.270
962
160
0.569
0.324
989
190
0.618
0.382
495

Average Acceleration =

Standard Deviation =

Experimental Value =
Percent Error =

Slope of graph of (d vs tavg2) =

Experimental value from graph, gexp = 2 * slope =

Percent Error =

Graphs

Discussion

Conclusion and Questions

The results of this experiment