Physics RP3: Determination of g by a free fall method (Method 2)

By using a steel ball and timing exactly how long it takes to hit the floor from different heights where
we can calculate its velocity with 2h/u. After plotting velocity (ms-1) against time (s) the gradient will
determine ‘g’ which should be approximately 9.81 due to types of error. <1>.

Different variables will be considered with the time taken for the ball to fall in seconds as the
dependant from which velocity is calculated. This will also be done to 4 significant figures to increase
the accuracy of the investigation. Changing the height where the ball falls from will be the
independent because ‘g’ should also represent the rate of acceleration due to it falling (gravity)
meaning its speed changes (increases) the further it falls. <2>. Some variables to be controlled is the
type of ball being used should stay the same throughout the whole practical as uses balls of different
masses would affect the time taken to fall, therefore giving inaccurate relative velocities. Each test
should also be dropped by the same type and setting of the electromagnet as this will allow each ball
to fall with no extra force applied. If not followed there will be unknown factors of how much force
was put into each ball being dropped. The distance between the bottom of the ball bearing and the
top light gate. The point where height is measured should be the same every time example: from the
surface of the stopping plate to the bottom of the electromagnet.

Apparatus:

1 stand and clamp – to hold the electromagnet in place and be able to adjust its height precisely.
1 electromagnet – to drop the ball bearing at a specific height with no added extra unknown force.
1 2kg mass – to keep the clamp stand from moving or falling over.
1 steel ball bearing – to drop from a given height to measure the time taken to fall.
1 electronic timer – measure the time taken for the ball from release to hitting the stopping the plate
which are both connected to it.
1 metre ruler – measure the distance from the plate to electromagnet.
Stopping plate – detects when the ball has hit it and pauses the timer.

Method:

1. After setting up the apparatus, adjust the position between the stopping plate and the
electromagnet by lifting the electromagnet up the stand so that the height is 0.500m measured using
a metre ruler.
2. Switch on the supply to the electromagnet and hang the ball bearing from it.
3. Reset the timer to 0 and switch off the electromagnet.
4. Read the time once the ball has hit the stopping plate.
5. Reduce the height by 0.050m and repeat the procedure down to a value of 0.250m.
6. Repeat a total of 3 sets of results for each height and calculate an average.
7. Plot a graph of 2h/t (velocity) against time (s).
8. Draw a line of best fit and find the gradient (the graph should be a straight line with a y intercept
of 2u through 2h/t = gt + 2u taken from derivatives of suvat where y = mx + c) . <3>
Justification of method:

Method 2 is a lot better compared to method one as 2 removes most possibilities of systematic
(human) error by having the electric timer connected to the electromagnet (start point) and stopping
plate (end point) which are a lot easier to align for repeatable results instead of having to align 2 light
gates perfectly which isn’t always reproducible. Method 1 also means the whole apparatus moves
more which can affect the height whilst aligning gates. Method 1 is also a lot easier to repeat as the
modification process it quicker and easier. Using the metre rule for the height between the 2 fixed
points is a lot easier than measuring the distance between 2 hanging, not very sturdy light gates.
<4>. Error bars and intervals are a lot smaller in method one (+-0.001) meaning its much more
accurate compared to method 2 (+-).

(Rough and graph table handed in)

Results:

Height h m Time t1 s Time t2 s Time t3 s Average Uncertainty Velocity

time t s +- 2h/t
0.500 0.320 0.320 0.319 0.320 0.001 3.125
0.450 0.302 0.303 0.303 0.303 0.001 2.970
0.400 0.284 0.285 0.284 0.284 0.001 2.817
0.350 0.268 0.268 0.268 0.268 0.001 2.612
0.300 0.248 0.248 0.248 0.248 0.001 2.419
0.250 0.225 0.225 0.225 0.225 0.001 2.222

Conclusion/ evaluation:

After plotting a graph and figuring out its gradient ‘g’ of 9.167 , we notice its not too far off 9.81. <5>.
By doing (9.167x9.81) x 100, shows these results were 93.45% accurate to what they should been.
Through re arranging the equation into 2h/t – gt = 2u, there is a y intercept of -0.015 which is slightly
off 0 showing some form of random error whilst drawing the graph.

As we went with method 2, our results were quite accurate because there were no anomalous
results and the graph produced almost a perfect line. However, with method 1, there could have
been a lot more errors and much larger uncertainties especially with the bigger heights. Method 2
has little improvements but both methods could have specified using a dense ball to help reduce
effects of air resistance and have a ruler clamped directly next to the stopping plate/ electromagnet
or light gates to reduce parallax error when measuring height. But method 1 should have the
distance of starting position and upper light gate constant so it reaches the upper light gate with the
same speed each time.

Questions:

In method 1 The height between the starting position of the ball bearing and the upper light gate
should be kept constant so the speed when the timer starts is constant for every test.
3 repeat readings for each height should be taken as you can identify and ignore or adjust from
anomalies this way and then take an average when doing calculations.
In Air resistance, acceleration through a fall gets less than gravity because the air resistance affects
the velocity of the object by slowing it down which is depending on the balls surface area.
References:

1) Experiment II: Determination of G from Newton’s laws (no date). Available at:
https://hadron.physics.fsu.edu/~crede/TEACHING/PHY2053C/LAB-MANUALS/
NewtonsLaws-1.pdf (Accessed: November 19, 2022).

2) Gravitational acceleration (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_acceleration (Accessed: November 19,
2022). ‘General relativity’.

3) Yu, J.C. et al. (2020) Measuring G via free fall, NUSTEM. Available at:
https://nustem.uk/activity/measuring-g/ (Accessed: November 19, 2022).

4) Ltd, A.A. (2022) Finding 'G' using simple pendulum experiment, UK Essays. UK Essays.
Available at: https://www.ukessays.com/essays/physics/finding-g-using-simple-
pendulum-2251.php (Accessed: November 19, 2022).

5) Required practical: Determination of G (4.3.7): Aqa A Level Physics Revision notes 2017
(no date) Save My Exams. Available at:
https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/4-mechanics--
materials/4-3-equations-of-motion/4-3-7-required-practical-determination-of-g/
(Accessed: November 19, 2022).