Problem: According to the data collected in class, how
do objects of different mass accelerate due to gravity?
Procedure:
1. Find the mass of all the washers and record. Keep in mind that the height is 4.85m and is recorded on the data section.
2. With your group measure the time it takes the small washer to fall and record the time on your data sheet.
3. Now drop the medium washer and record, the large washer and record, the extra larger washer and record.
4. The runner takes all 4 washers around to the stairs and meets the dropper half way up the stairs and the whole procedure repeats itself 5 times.
5. Examine your data table and repeat any times that are way off. You have to make a judgment.
6. Come back in the room and calculate the average time for the washers to fall
7. Calculate the ACCELERATION of each washer using the equation in the results, show your work neatly and clearly
8. Make a graph of Acceleration (y) vs. Mass (x) of the 4 washers
RESULTS:
Item |
Small Washer |
Medium Washer |
Large Washer |
Extra Large Washer |
(x) Mass = |
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Times |
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1. |
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2. |
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3. |
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4. |
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5. |
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Average Time = |
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distance = 4.85 m
1. Small:
|
3. Large:
|
|
| 2. Medium: | 4. Extra Large: |
Graph 1: Acceleration (y) vs. Mass (x) of the 4 Washers
Using the Graphical Model:
1. What does the graph show you about the acceleration due gravity and an objets mass?
As the mass increases the acceleration
2. Does this result seem right, why or why not?
3. Make a statement about the force of gravity, acceleration and mass of the objects from your data according to the movie on gravity that you just watched.
4. How do you think the results of this experiment would have changed if there was no air resistance and you could have timed perfectly?
5. Together in class: KNOWING THAT THE HEIGHT WAS 4.85 meters, What time should you have recorded for every timing (ACCELERATION due to gravity is 9.8 m/sec/sec, so a = 9.8). Solve for time.
Distance (height) = ½ • a • (time)2