A-Level Physics HQ

Experiment Worksheet : Acceleration of Free Fall

This worksheet accompanies the Experiment to Determine the Acceleration of Free Fall video:
youtu.be/yKVjlnSOu7s

1. Fill in Table 1 with the length, L, of the weighted card.

Table 1

Length, L (m) Clicking on a measurement will take

you to the relevant part of the video

2. (a) Fill in Table 2 with the time, t, measurements for each height, h.
(b) Calculate the average time for each row.
(c) Calculate the final velocity of the weighted card for each height.
L
velocity, v =
t
(d) Calculate the velocity squared, v2, values. Also include the correct unit for v2 in the
header row.
Table 2
Time for card to pass light gate,
Height, h t (s)
(m) 1 2 Average v (m s–1) v2 (______)
0.100

0.200

0.300

0.400

0.500

0.600

Turn over for question 3

© Daniel Wilson 2020

 A-Level Physics HQ
3. Use the graph grid below to plot a graph of height (x-axis) versus velocity squared (y-axis).
Label the axes with appropriate scales.
Plot h (x-axis) against v2 (y-axis).
12

11

10

7
v² (m² s⁻²)

0
0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50 0.55 0.60

h (m)
4. Draw a straight line of best fit. Expect to calculate slightly different
values to those in the video.
5. Determine the gradient of the line.
6. Analyse the graph to determine the value of the acceleration of free fall, g, using the
equation of the line: v² = (2g) h
(compare the equation to y = mx + c NB y-intercept, c = 0)

7. The data book value of acceleration of free fall is 9.8 m s–2. Calculate the percentage
uncertainty between the value calculated in question 6 and the data book value.

© Daniel Wilson 2020

 A-Level Physics HQ

Experiment Worksheet Solutions :

Acceleration of Free Fall
This worksheet accompanies the Experiment to Determine the Acceleration of Free Fall video:
youtu.be/yKVjlnSOu7s

1.
Table 1 Solutions

Length, L (cm) 5.0 Clicking on a measurement will take

you to the relevant part of the video

2.
Table 2 Solutions
Time for card to pass light gate,
Height, h t (s)
(m) 1 2 Average v (m s–1) v2 (m2 s–2)
0.100 0.037 0.037 0.037 1.4 1.8

0.200 0.027 0.026 0.027 1.9 3.6

0.300 0.022 0.021 0.022 2.3 5.4

0.400 0.019 0.019 0.019 2.6 6.9

0.500 0.017 0.017 0.017 2.9 8.7

0.600 0.016 0.014 0.015 3.3 11

Turn over for further solutions

© Daniel Wilson 2020

 A-Level Physics HQ
3.

Plot h (x-axis) against v² (y-axis).

12
y = 17.943x - 0.0467

11

(0.565, 10.1)
10

7
v² (m² s⁻²)

(0.12, 2.1) Gradient triangle in pink

2

0
0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50 0.55 0.60

h (m)
4.
(10.1 - 2.1)
5. Gradient = = 17.98 (4 s.f.)
(0.565 - 0.120)
6. v² = (2g) h v2 is plotted on y-axis, h plotted on x-axis
y = m x + c (2g) multiplied by h so gradient = 2g
No other terms on RHS: y-int = 0
gradient 17.98
gradient = 2g g= = = 8.990 m s–2 = 9.0 m s–2 (2 s.f.)
2 2

|9.0 - 9.8|
7. %Δg = ×100 = 8.2%
9.8

© Daniel Wilson 2020