The data table that follows shows data taken in a free-fall experiment.
Measurements were made of the distance of fall (Y) at each of the four precisely measured times.
| Time, t (s) | Dist, y1 (m) | Dist, y2 (m) | Dist, y3 (m) | Dist, y4 (m) | Dist, y5 (m) | <y> | σ | t2 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | |||
| 0.75 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 3.1 | |||
| 1.0 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 4.8 | |||
| 1.25 | 8.2 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.4 |
Procedures:
From the above data perform the following Tasks.
Task 1. Complete the table.
Results 1:
Task 2. Plot a graph <y> versus t (plot t on the abscissa, i.e., x-axis).
Results 1:
Task 3. Plot a graph <y> versus t2 (plot t2 on the abscissa, i.e., x-axis). The equation of motion for an object in free fall starting from rest is y = ½ gt2, where g is the acceleration due to gravity. This is the equation of a parabola, which has the general form y = ax2.
Results 1:
Task 4. Determine the slope of the line and compute an experimental value of g from the slope value. Remember, the slope of this graph represents ½ g.
Results :
Task 5. Compute the percent error of the experimental value of g determined from the graph in part d. (Accepted value of g = 9.8 m/s2)
Results 5:
Task 6. Use a spreadsheet to perform the calculations and plot the graphs indicated.
Results 6: The spreadsheet with calculations graphs is attached as a separate attachment.