Acceleration+due+to+Gravity

Gabi Skwarcan and Maggie Pendergast

Purpose: To determine the acceleration of gravity using the equation 2x/t^2=a at the angle theta.

Procedure: 1. Click on widget. 2. Check the box that indicates "frictionless" and choose an object that you please (Make sure to use the same object for each trial). 3. Stop and clear the timer and set the ramp angle at 5.0 degrees. 4. Set the position of the object at 15 meters and press "Go!". Then press "Pause" when the object reaches the bottom of the ramp. Record time. 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times. 6. Complete this process two more times at angle 10 and 15 degrees (you should have 6 trials).

Collecting Data: 1. Create a table of values for degrees, length of ramp (15m), and time. Make sure they are labeled. 2. Create a final calculated column for acceleration in the table. Use the equation a=2x/t^2. ("x" being the length of the ramp). media type="custom" key="22971046"

Online Tutorial: @http://screencast.com/t/ar5dNoqVJWZi

Analysis Questions: 1. How does the time that the object travels down the ramp at each of the three different angles compare to one another? 2. Using the answer to the question above, what can you infer about the speed of the object as angle theta increases? 3. At what angle would the object fall at the acceleration of gravity?

Graphical Analysis: Using the data that you collected, make an x vs. y graph with x being theta and y being acceleration. Expel the outliers, then find the trendline of your graph. Finally, plug 90 degrees for x in the equation found or the trendline.

Percent Error: Find the percent error using the value calculated during the graphical analysis and the actual acceleration of gravity (9.8 m/s/s).

Sample Lab: