Objective Methodology Presentation Analysis Discussion Conclusion Total

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PHY110: EXPERIMENT 1
MEASURING GRAVITATIONAL ACCELERATION

AS1201B, Diploma in Science, Faculty of Applied Science

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Pahang, Jengka Campus

Email: [email protected]

OBJECTIVE
1. To investigate the functional relationship between height of fall and falling time.

2. To determine the acceleration due to gravity, g by studying the motion of a freely falling
body.

3. To investigate different mass object will affect the value of g.

THEORY
Linear motion can be defined as the movement of a body on a straight line without
any deviation.
2
d h(t )
m 2
=m. g
dt

Important examples of linear motion are: An athlete running on a straight track of

a park, a bullet shot from a pistol always moves in a straight line, etc.

dh(0)
=0
dt

By applying the coordinate system in a way that the x axis indicates the direction
of motion and solving the corresponding one-dimensional equation of motion, we
get:

1 2
h ( t )= g t
2

We obtain, for the initial conditions

h(0) = 0
The coordinate h as a function of time (see Figure2)

APPARATUS
1. Phet Projectile Motion Simulation (to be downloaded from :
(https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/projectile-motion)

PROCEDURE
1. Click the link given : (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/projectile-motion)

2. Click download or Play button.

3 Intro is chosen
4. The screen will appear

5. The angle was adjusted to

-90 degree as shown in
figure
6. Adjust the height and
reduce the initial speed to
0m/s

7. The experiment is started

by manipulating the height.
Start with 15m and the
blast button is clicked.
8. The time is measured by
dragging the timer button
on the ground. The actual
time will be displayed
when it reached the ground.
9. Step 7and 8 is repeated and
the data is filled in the data
sheet below for pumpkin.

10. Reset button is clicked and

step 7 and 9 is repeated for
different types of object.
Choose any object.

11. Another data sheet is

created for the object that
you choose.
 RESULTS

Table 3.1 Experimental Data for Pumpkin

Mass pumpkin : 5kg

Height of fall, h (m) Time, t (s) (s )

2

15 1.75 3.06

14 1.69 2.86

13 1.63 2.66

12 1.56 2.43

11 1.50 2.25

10 1.43 2.04

9 1.35 1.82

8 1.28 1.64

7 1.19 1.42

6 1.11 1.23
 Table 3.2 Experimental Data for Piano
Mass : 400 kg

Height of fall, h (m) Time, t (s) (s )

2

15 1.75 3.06

14 1.69 2.66

13 1.56 2.43

12 1.50 2.25

11 1.43 2.04

10 1.37 1.82

9 1.28 1.64

8 1.19 1.42

7 1.11 1.23

6 1.01 1.02
ANALYSIS

1. a)

Height of Fall, h against Pumpkin Falling Time, t

16
1.75,[Y VALUE]
14 1.69,[Y VALUE]
1.63,[Y VALUE]
12 1.56,[Y VALUE]
1.5,[Y VALUE]
10 1.43,[Y VALUE]
Height of Fall,h(m)

1.37,[Y VALUE]
8 1.28,[Y VALUE]
1.19,[Y VALUE]
6 1.11,[Y VALUE]

0
1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8

Pumpkin Falling Time, t

 Height of Fall,h against Piano Falling Time,t
16
1.75,[Y VALUE]
14 1.69,[Y VALUE]
1.63,[Y VALUE]
12 1.56,[Y VALUE]
1.5,[Y VALUE]
10 1.43,[Y VALUE]
1.35,[Y VALUE]
8 1.28,[Y VALUE]
1.19,[Y VALUE]
Height of Fall,h(m)

6 1.11,[Y VALUE]

0
1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8

Pumpkin Falling Time, t

1.b)

Height of Fall, h against Pumpkin Falling Time,

16
3.06,[Y VALUE]
14 2.86,[Y VALUE]
2.66[Y VALUE]
12 2.43,[Y VALUE]
2.25,[Y VALUE]
10 2.04.[Y VALUE]
Height Of Fall,h(m)

1.82,[Y VALUE]
8 1.64,[Y VALUE]
1.42,[Y VALUE]
6 1.23,[Y VALUE]

0
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Pumpkin Square Falling Time,

 Height of Fall Against Piano Square Falling Time,
16

3.06,[Y VALUE]

14 2.86,[Y VALUE]

2.66[Y VALUE]

12 2.43,[Y VALUE]

2.25,[Y VALUE]

10 2.04.[Y VALUE]
Height of Fall,h(m)

1.82,[Y VALUE]

8 1.64,[Y VALUE]

1.42,[Y VALUE]

6 1.23,[Y VALUE]

0
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Piano Square Falling Time,

 2.Graph Height of Fall, h against Pumpkin Square Falling Time, t²

Coordinate x:

Coordinate y:

Centroid point: (2.14,10.50)

Gradient (slope), m:
Max gradient, :

Min gradient, :

Value of uncertainties of gradient, m

⸫ Gradient, m =

Value of g:
1. Value of uncertainties of g, :

2. The percent difference between the value of and the standard value
of :

Percentage error in this experimental value = 0

5. There’s no experimental error. Because neither of the object experienced air
resistance which makes none of them to have forces that in contradiction to
the relative velocity of an object as it passes through the air this situation
caused pumpkin and cannonball to fall at the same time and experience the
same value of acceleration. They were falling solely under the influence of
the gravity and the objects acceleration is equals to gravitational acceleration.
It is said to be in free fall.
Conclusion

Height of fall is directly proportional to falling time. The acceleration due to

gravity, g is with percentage difference of 0.31%. Different mass of
objects did not influence the value of g.