Calculating Free Fall Lab
Name:_____________
Materials: 10 objects, stopwatch, measuring tape, calculator
Purpose: Students will determine the rate of free fall.
Directions:
1. Use the measuring tape to measure the distance from the point that the object is
dropped to the ground. Record this distance on the blank provided.
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2. What is the initial velocity of each falling object? ________________
3. Drop the first object. Measure with a stopwatch the time that it takes from the
moment that it is dropped until it reaches the ground. Take an average of the time.
Record your information in the Data Table provided below. Repeat this step until a
time is recorded for each object.
4. To calculate the final velocity, take your speed and multiply by 2.
Data Table 1
Object
Average
Time
Average
Speed
Vf
Final Velocity
Mass
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Conclusions
1. Use the following formula to see how closely you measured distance with the
measuring tape: distance = average speed x time. How accurate were you?
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2. Calculate the mass of each object using Newton’s 2nd Law: Force (N) = mass (kg) x
acceleration (m/s2). Record your answers in the table below.
Data Table 2
Object
Force
Mass
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
3. Use an electronic balance to check your work. How close are your calculations? If
they are different, explain why.
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4. The rate of acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2. How does your answer for
acceleration compare? Explain.
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