Freefall Calculator Worksheet
In this activity, you will study what happens
when you throw different objects off various cliffs.
Since we can’t go out to different cliffs, we will use a
computer calculator to get our data. We will examine
whether heavier objects fall faster then lighter
objects, and whether the height of the cliff affects
how fast an object hits the ground. All of the speed
values will be the objects speed just as it hits the
ground.
You will first collect all your data using the
computer, then draw your graphs and make your
conclusions.
Part One
We will first examine whether heavier objects fall
faster than lighter objects. Do the following steps:
1.
2.
3.
Enter the height of the cliff as 100 m. You
will not change that value for Part One.
Enter the following values for the mass of
the object and hit the calculate button.
YOU ONLY NEED TO ENTER THE
NUMBER, NOT THE UNIT, “kg.”
Record the speed in the chart below.
Mass (kg)
Speed (m/s)
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Part Two
Next we will change the height of the drop.
3. Record the speed in the chart below.
Height (m)
Speed (m/s)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Part Three
Next we will change the height of the drop more
dramatically.
1. Enter the mass as 10 kg.
2. Enter the following values for the height of
the drop and record the speed
Height (m)
Speed (m/s)
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
1. Enter the mass as 10 kg.
2. Enter the following values for the height of
the drop and hit the calculate button. YOU
ONLY NEED TO ENTER THE NUMBER,
NOT THE UNIT, “m.”
Last updated 29 August 2006
Graphing the Data
What You Will Turn In
Next you will draw three graphs, one for each
data table. Use about half of a side of a sheet of
graph paper for each graph so you can fit them
on one sheet (front and back).
On a separate sheet of loose-leaf, answer the
following questions. Be sure to use complete
sentences and use at least two or three sentences
to answer each question. Never begin a sentence
with “Yes” or “No.” Staple your graphs to that
sheet and return it to your teacher for grading.
Graph One
Using the data from Part One, draw a graph.
1. The x-axis will be the Mass. Be sure to
include the unit.
2. The y-axis will be the Speed. Be sure to
include the unit.
3. Title your graph “Speed vs. Mass.”
Graph Two
Using the data from Part Two, draw a graph.
1. The x-axis will be the Height. Be sure to
include the unit.
2. The y-axis will be the Speed. Be sure to
include the unit.
3. Title your graph “Speed vs. Height.”
Graph Three
Using the data from Part Three, draw a graph.
1. The x-axis will be the Height. Be sure to
include the unit.
2. The y-axis will be the Speed. Be sure to
include the unit.
3. Title your graph “Speed vs. Height.”
Questions
1. Look at Graph One. Does the speed at
which an object hits the ground change
with the mass? How can you tell from
the graph?
2. Do heavier objects fall faster than lighter
objects based on your data?
3. Look at Graph Two. How does the speed
at which an object hits the ground change
with height?
4. Based on your data, why does it hurt
more if a book falls from a high shelf
onto your foot than if it falls from a short
coffee table?
5. Look at graph three. What happens once
the height reaches 150 m? Why do you
think this might be happening?
6. If a penny is dropped from the top of the
Empire State Building (381 m), could it
hit the ground with a speed of 75 m/s?
Why or why not, based on the data in
Graph Three?
Last updated 29 August 2006