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Acceleration of Free Fall Experiment (CIE A Level Physics)

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Acceleration of free fall experiment

Aims of the experiment

  • The overall aim of the experiment is to calculate the value of the acceleration due to gravity, g
  • This is done by measuring the time it takes for a ball-bearing to fall a certain distance. The acceleration is then calculated using an equation of motion

Variables

  • Independent variable = height, h
  • Dependent variable = time, t
  • Control variables:
    • Same steel ball–bearing
    • Same electromagnet
    • Distance between ball-bearing and top of the glass tube

Equipment list

Equipment and use

Equipment Purpose
Metre ruler To measure the distance between the light gates
Steel ball-bearing To measure the distance and time taken to drop the ball. The ball must be made from a magnetic material
Electromagnet To drop the ball-bearing through the glass tube at a specific height every time
Two light gates To determine the time taken to drop a certain distance
Timer To measure the time taken for the ball to drop between the light-gates. The timer must be activated to start when the ball passes the first light gate and stop when it passes the second
Tall clamp stand (retort stand) To hold the glass tube and electromagnet in line with each other
Glass tube To guide the ball-bearing vertically downwards
Cushion To stop the ball-bearing from being damaged or damaging the surface when landing

  • Resolution of measuring equipment:
    • Metre ruler = 1 mm
    • Timer = 0.01 s

Method

Apparatus setup

Required Practical Apparatus, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Apparatus setup to measure the distance and time for the ball bearing to drop

This method is an example of the procedure for varying the height the ball-bearing falls and determining the time taken – this is just one possible relationship that can be tested

  1. Set up the apparatus by attaching the electromagnet to the top of a tall clamp stand. Do not switch on the current till everything is set up
  2. Place the glass tube directly underneath the electromagnet, leaving space for the ball-bearing. Make sure it faces directly downwards and not at an angle
  3. Attach both light gates around the glass tube at a starting distance of around 10 cm
  4. Measure this distance between the two light gates as the height, h with a metre ruler
  5. Place the cushion directly underneath the end of the glass tube to catch the ball-bearing when it falls through
  6. Switch the current on the electromagnet and place the ball-bearing directly underneath so it is attracted to it
  7. Turn the current to the electromagnet off. The ball should drop
  8. When the ball drops through the first light gate, the timer starts
  9. When the ball drops through the second light gate, the timer stops
  10. Read the time on the timer and record this as time, t
  11. Increase h (eg. by 5 cm) and repeat the experiment. At least 5 – 10 values for h should be used
  12. Repeat this method at least 3 times for each value of h and calculate an average t for each
  • An example of a table with some possible heights would look like this:

Example table of results

Example Table of Results, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Analysis of results

  • The acceleration is found by using one of the SUVAT equations
  • The known quantities are
    • Displacement s = h
    • Time taken = t
    • Initial velocity u = u
    • Acceleration a = g

  • The following SUVAT equation can be rearranged:

s space equals space u t space plus thin space 1 half a t squared

2 s space equals space 2 u t space plus thin space a t squared

fraction numerator 2 s over denominator t end fraction space equals space 2 u thin space plus thin space a t

  • Substituting the values and rearranging it as a straight-line equation gives:

fraction numerator 2 h over denominator t end fraction space equals space g t space plus space 2 u

  • Comparing this to the equation of a straight line: y = mx + c
    • yfraction numerator 2 h over denominator t end fraction (m s-1)
    • xt
    • Gradient, m = a = g (m s–2)
    • y-intercept = 2u

  1. Plot a graph of the fraction numerator 2 h over denominator t end fraction against t
  2. Draw a line of best fit
  3. Calculate the gradient - this is the acceleration due to gravity g
  4. Assess the uncertainties in the measurements of h and t. Carry out any calculations needed to determine the uncertainty in g due to these

Graph of results

Required Practical Graph, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

The graph of fraction numerator 2 h over denominator t end fraction against t produces a straight-line graph where the acceleration is the gradient

Evaluating the experiment

Systematic Errors:

  • Residue magnetism after the electromagnet is switched off may cause t to be recorded as longer than it should be

Random Errors:

  • Large uncertainty in h from using a metre rule with a precision of 1 mm
  • Parallax error from reading h
  • The ball may not fall accurately down the centre of each light gate
  • Random errors are reduced through repeating the experiment for each value of h at least 3-5 times and finding an average time, t

Safety considerations

  • The electromagnetic requires current
    • Care must be taken to not have any water near it
    • To reduce the risk of electrocution, only switch on the current to the electromagnet once everything is set up

  • A cushion or a soft surface must be used to catch the ball-bearing so it doesn’t roll off / damage the surface
  • The tall clamp stand needs to be attached to a surface with a G clamp so it stays rigid

Worked example

A student investigates the relationship between the height that a ball-bearing is dropped between two light gates and the time taken for it to drop.

Height h / m Time t1 / s Time t2 / s  Time t3 / s Average time t / s
0.10 0.14 0.15 0.14  
0.20 0.18 0.20 0.21  
0.30 0.25 0.25 0.26  
0.40 0.29 0.28 0.30  
0.50 0.32 0.31 0.32  
0.60 0.34 0.35 0.34  

Calculate the value of g from the table.

Answer:

Step 1: Complete the table

  • Calculate the average time for each height
  • Add an extra column fraction numerator 2 h over denominator t end fraction

Height h / m Time t1 / s Time t2 / s  Time t3 / s Average time t / s fraction numerator 2 h over denominator t end fraction / m s–1
0.10 0.14 0.15 0.14 0.14 1.43
0.20 0.18 0.20 0.21 0.20 2.00
0.30 0.25 0.25 0.26 0.25 2.40
0.40 0.29 0.28 0.30 0.29 2.76
0.50 0.32 0.31 0.32 0.32 3.13
0.60 0.34 0.35 0.34 0.34 3.53

Step 2: Draw graph of fraction numerator 2 h over denominator t end fraction against time t

Graph of Results

  • Make sure the axes are properly labelled and the line of best fit is drawn with a ruler

Step 3: Calculate the gradient of the graph 

Gradient from Graph, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

  • The gradient is calculated by:

g space equals space fraction numerator 3.50 space minus space 0.125 space over denominator 0.36 space minus space 0 end fraction space equals space 9.375 space equals space 9.38 space straight m space straight s to the power of negative 2 end exponent

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Ashika

Author: Ashika

Expertise: Physics Project Lead

Ashika graduated with a first-class Physics degree from Manchester University and, having worked as a software engineer, focused on Physics education, creating engaging content to help students across all levels. Now an experienced GCSE and A Level Physics and Maths tutor, Ashika helps to grow and improve our Physics resources.