Southern Luzon State University

Brgy. Kulapi, Lucban, Quezon Province 4328

Physics for Engineers (Calculus Based)_Laboratory

LABORATORY REPORT

I. Title of the Experiment: Measuring the Acceleration Due To Gravity

a. Authors Name:
i. Aliling, Cyreen Jill T. Date Performed: April 26, 2021
ii. Geringuillo, Yrish P. Date Finished: April 29, 2021
iii. Oba, Romina Giane Z.
iv. Reyes, Camille D.

II. Objectives
A. To easily determine the experimental value from the improvised simple pendulum
apparatus and free fall method and obtain its acceleration due to gravity near the
earth’s surface.
B. To see the accuracy of the results using the experimental methods as mentioned
above.

III. Theory

We are both aware that gravity causes objects to fall. So what exactly is gravity? Sir
Isaac Newton tried to operationalize the concept of gravity by trying to find the laws by which it
functions. Because of the earth's gravitational attraction, bodies near it plunge toward it with a
certain acceleration. How does the universe cause a body at a great distance to tip against it?
What is the mechanism by which gravitational force is transmitted? Is the acceleration due to
gravity always constant? This and several other questions concerning gravity have yet to be
satisfactorily resolved. This lab will help you become more acquainted with the effects of gravity
by allowing you to measure the acceleration due to gravity experimentally. The standard value
will be 9.8 m/s^2.

Method A:

Measuring g from a pendulum apparatus

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

 The acceleration due to gravity (g) can be most easily measured by the use of the basic
motion equations. An object is dropped from a known height, the time is measured, and the
2
4π 𝐿
equation (g = 2 ) is used to calculate the acceleration due to gravity g.
𝑇

Method B:

Measuring g by hand timing an object in free-fall

The acceleration due to gravity can also be measured by timing a free fall with a
stopwatch. The method of determining the time is a bit different from the method A, the equation
is g= 2d/T².

IV. Apparatus

This part shows the apparatus used to perform the experiment and collect the data
needed.

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

 Procedure A involves the use of an improvised simple pendulum in order to compute the
acceleration due to gravity. The simple pendulum we used, uses a suspended string and ball.

Procedure B and C follows the same procedure but uses different objects. Procedure B
uses a small ball, while Procedure C uses a big ball.

V. Procedure
In experiment 4 entitled “Measuring the Acceleration due to Gravity,” the following
materials were utilized in order to gather the data needed: an Improvised Simple Pendulum, a
small ball and a large ball.
This experiment was divided into three parts - Procedure A to C. Procedure A involved
the use of a Simple pendulum to measure g. We first created an improvised simple pendulum
through the use of a ball suspended by a string on a horizontal bar. Since this part involves a
total of 10 trials with the pendulum length varying by 5.0 cm, we already prepared the strings
beforehand. The pendulum length for our first trial is 5.0cm. After the setup is done, we used a

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

protractor and pulled the ball at a 10 degree angle, released it and counted until it completed 15
cycles. We video recorded the whole trial in order to get a more accurate time duration. We
repeated the same procedure for 3 trials for every length. The process of pulling and releasing
the ball at 10 degree and counting until the 15th cycle for 9 more trials in varying lengths. After
the data was gathered and tabulated, we computed for the average time for every length (L) by
adding the time for each repetition and dividing it by three. After we have obtained the average,
we computed for the period (T = average/no. of cycles) and square of period. We then
computed for the experimental value of acceleration due to gravity for each trial using the
2
4π 𝐿
formula (g = 2 ). After that, we computed for the average experimental value of the
𝑇

acceleration of gravity which was used to compute for the percentage error by using the
formula %𝐸 = |𝑂 − 𝐴|/ 𝐴 𝑥 100%.
Using Microsoft Excel, we tabulated the values of Length( L ) and the Period - squared (
2
𝑇 ) and created a scatter chart. We added the chart element axes title to label the x - axis as the
length and the y - axis as the t - squared. We also added a Linear Trendline and showed the
1 2
equation in order to identify the slope. We used the formula 𝑔 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒
4π to solve for the

acceleration due to gravity (from graph). After that, we computed for the Percentage Difference
through using the Absolute Deviation and Mean.
Procedure B involved the use of a small ball. A small ball is dropped to the floor at
varying elevations in three replications for greater precision. There were five different elevations
varying by 0.250 meters, with the starting point at 1.000m. We once again video recorded the
process in order to minimize personal error and bias when it comes to recording the time. We
then watched the videos after the procedures were done and recorded the data. We first
computed for the average measured time for every height of fall. Next, we calculated the
2
acceleration due to gravity using the formula 𝑔 = 2𝑦/𝑡 . Then, we computed the acceleration
and divided it by the number of trials which is five. Procedure C follows the same procedure as
Procedure B but using a large ball. After we computed for the average value of g using the large
ball, we computed for the average value of acceleration due to gravity (experimental) by adding
the average of g using the small and large ball and dividing it by 2. Lastly, we computed for the
percentage error using the experimental value and standard value which is 9.8 m/s2.

VI. Data and Results

This column suggests the presence of data gathered from the experiment conducted. It
encompasses tables with altered corresponding data that will placate the unidentified
measurements. The researchers congregated the information using different quantities; meters

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

for each length of the simple pendulum trials, acceleration due to gravity(experimental and the
graphical method), percentage difference and percentage error.

Data Table 4.1 The value of g using the simple pendulum

Length, Measured Total Time, tT (s) Period, Period Acceleration

L (m) T (s) Squared, T2 due to gravity,
(s) g (m/s2)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

0.45 19 21 20 20 1.33 1.77 10.04

0.50 23 22 21 22 1.47 2.16 9.14

0.55 24 23 24 23.67 1.58 2.50 8.64

0.60 24 25 24 24.33 1.62 2.62 9.04

0.65 25 25 25 25 1.67 2.79 9.20

0.70 25 26 26 25.33 1.69 2.86 9.66

0.75 26 26 26 56 1.73 3.00 9.87

0.80 26 26 27 26.33 1.76 3.10 10.19

0.85 26 28 26 26.67 1.78 3.17 10.59

0.90 27 28 26 27 1.80 3.24 10.97

Acceleration due to gravity (average), experimental value = 9.739 m/s2

Acceleration due to gravity, standard value = 9.8 m/s2

Percentage Error = 0.62%

Acceleration due to gravity (from graph), experimental value = 8.53 m/s2

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

Percentage Difference = 12.41%

Data Table 4.2a The value of using the free fall method (small ball)

Height of Measured Total Time, tT (s) Acceleration due to

Fall, y gravity, g (m/s2)
(m)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

1.00 0.48 0.42 0.45 0.45 9.88

1.25 0.51 0.53 0.53 0.52 9.24

1.50 0.58 0.54 0.60 0.57 9.23

1.75 0.61 0.58 0.61 0.60 9.72

2.00 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.64 9.76

Data Table 4.2b The value of using the free fall method (large ball)

Height of Measured Total Time, tT (s) Acceleration due to

Fall, y gravity, g (m/s2)
(m)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

1.00 0.47 0.46 0.46 0.46 9.45

1.25 0.50 0.54 0.52 0.52 9.25

1.50 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 9.23

1.75 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 9.72

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

 2.00 0.63 0.65 0.64 0.64 9.77

Average of g using small ball = 9.57 m/s2

Average of g using large ball = 9.49 m/s2

Average of acceleration due to gravity, experimental = 9.53 m/s2

Average due to gravity, standard value = 9.8 m/s2

Percentage error = 2.76%

a. Graph

b. Calculations

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)
PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)
VII. Discussion
In performed an experiment which involved the value of g using the simple pendulum
apparatus, free fall method (small ball) and free fall method (large ball). We learned how to
properly get the value of gravity and make sure that the data we gathered are accurate and as
precise as possible.
In data table 4.1, shows the value of g using the simple pendulum apparatus. We found
the length, L (m), measured total time, t (s), period, T (s), period squared, T² (s) and
acceleration due to gravity, g (m/s²).
In data table 4.2a and 4.2b, shows the value of g using the free fall method (small ball)
and the free fall method (large ball). We found the height of fall, y (m), measured time, t (s) and
acceleration due to gravity, g (m/s²).
After determining the value of acceleration due to gravity using the aforementioned
techniques, the results of simple pendulum have 0.62 % of percentage error and 12.42% of
percentage difference. The free fall method has 2.76% of percentage error.
The possible sources of uncertainty or error in this experiment are systematic error and
random error. Systematic error in the height fallen by the ball because of using the measuring
meter. Random error if using digital stopwatch due to reaction time. It may be caused by
delayed reaction at the start and end of the experiment.

VIII. Conclusions
Acceleration due to gravity is the acceleration gained by an object due to gravitational
force. Its SI unit is m/s2. It has both magnitude and direction, hence, it's a vector quantity.
Acceleration due to gravity is represented by g. The standard value of g on the surface of the
earth at sea level is 9.8 m/s2. The aim of the experiment is to easily determine the experimental
value from the improvised simple pendulum apparatus and free fall method and obtain its
acceleration due to gravity near the earth’s surface and to see the accuracy of the results using
the experimental methods as mentioned above. The apparatus/materials that will be used in the
experiment are simple pendulum apparatus, metal balls (small and large), digital stopwatch,
meter stick, and string. The results of the simple pendulum have 0.62% of percentage error and
12.42% of percentage difference. The free fall method has 2.76% of percentage error.. The
possible sources of uncertainty or error in this experiment are systematic error and random
error. Systematic error in the height fallen by the ball because of using the measuring meter.
Random error if using digital stopwatch due to reaction time. It may be caused by delayed

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

reaction at the start and end of the experiment. The data contradicts the original hypothesis.
This experiment relied on the proper measurements and uses of the units.

IX. References
Acceleration due to Gravity - Formula, Values of g and Variations. Byjus.com. 2019 May 13
[accessed 2021 Apr 29]. https://byjus.com/jee/acceleration-due-to-gravity/

The acceleration of gravity. Physicsclassroom.com. [accessed 2021 Apr 29].

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-5/Acceleration-of-Gravity

X. Documentation

FREE FALL SET-UP

This set-up exhibits the presence of measure tape, large and small balls. Aliling uses a
soccer ball and small ball for us to be able to find the average time, height of fall and
acceleration due to gravity. By acquiring the unknown quantities, it accords the data for
the following unknown information in the data table.

SIMPLE PENDULUM
Having a string, protractor and clay, it was used in conducting the experiment. The protractor
utilized to form a 10 degrees from the vertical of the string and able to get the 15
oscillations and its period. And the simple pendulum was improvised and the metal ball
was ancillary by the clay to make this experiment possible to execute.

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)

PHY03_Physics for Engineers (Laboratory)