INVESTIGATION: FREE FALL AND THE INFLUENCE OF AIR RESISTANCE
1. In this investigation we will be investigating the effect that air resistance has on an
object in free fall. To do this I will use a plastic projectile and a silk cloth that will act
as a parachute. I will then proceed to record the time it takes for the plastic
projectile ( with no air resistance) to fall from 3 different heights. Then I will do the
same but with the projectile that has a parachute attached to it. After gathering my
data, I will then put it into a Velocity vs time graph to clearly show my results. Then I
will proceed to compare the results and discuss the effect of air resistance on an
object in free fall.
2. The Investigative question here is to figure out and discuss free fall and the influence
of air resistance on such an object. My hypothesis is that the projectile with a
parachute attached to it will drop slower than the projectile without the parachute
If the height at which the projectile is dropped is increased it will take more time to
reach the bottom and the object with a parachute will take evn longer because of air
resistance acting on the parachute.
3. Independent variable = Height, air resistance
Dependent variable= Time
Controlled Variable= Mass of projectile/Size of cloth
4. Discussion:
Without Parachute
Displacement
3,03m
4,03m
Acceleration
12,73 m.s-2
7,75 m.s-2
Velocity
8,78 m.s-1
7,91 m.s-1
With Parachute
Displacement
3,03m
4,03m
Acceleration
5,50 m.s-2
5,70 m.s-2
Velocity
5,78 m.s-1
6,78 m.s-1