LAB #3: Freely Falling Bodies
Theory:
Define acceleration due to gravity and freely falling bodies. What is its average value and
its value here in Mobile? Write down kinematic equations that describe motion under
constant acceleration.
Experiment:
• Drop the object (picket fence) from the rest (v0=0, y0=0)
• The computer will plot the position and velocity of the "picket fence" as it
falls as the function of time.
• Fit the position data with a quadratic function and fit the velocity with a
linear function.
• From the fit results determine experimental values of g.
• Repeat 4 times to get 4 sets of data.
For quadratic fit, A =
For linear fit, m=g
•
•
•
Get the average value of g from 4 position plots (with statistical
uncertainty)
Get the average value of g from 4 velocity plots (with statistical
uncertainty)
Compare both values of g with the known value in Mobile
g − 9.793394
<3
2
g=9.793394m/s
δg + 0
1
g
2