Acceleration of Gravity Names: Lynn Smiley

From Bouncing Ball

Introductory Conceptual Physics Period: 8

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the Motion Sensor directly into the USB port on the laptop.

2. Open the file Ball Drop Data File from Google Classroom.

3. With the motion sensor pointed downward, drop the ball so that it bounces under the motion sensor several time.
Be careful to keep the motion sensor at the same height while collecting the data. You may have to move the
motion sensor laterally to keep the ball directly under the ball. The resulting graphs will be similar to those
pictured below.

4. If you are not satisfied with the graph, repeat the experiment until you have an acceptable graph.

5. Save the data file to your student drive.

6. Repeat the experiment for a different type of ball.

Analyzing Data: Position Graph

1. Use the examine (x=) button to trace the coordinates of the points on the graph. Write down the time and position of
the ball when it is at the top of its path:

1st Ball 2nd Ball

Time (Top) = 1.30 Position (Top) = 0.494 Time (Top) = 1.25 Position (Top) = .519

2. Now move the crosshairs to the point where the ball hits the ground. Write down the coordinates of this point.

1st Ball 2nd Ball

Time (Bot) = 1.75 Position (Bot) = 1.290 Time (Bot) = 1.65 Position (Bot) = 1.098

3. Subtract the position values of the examined points to find the displacement of the ball as it fell from the top of its
path to the floor.

1st ball: Displacement = .796 2nd ball: Displacement = .579

4. Subtract your time values of the examined points to find the time that the ball took as fell from the top of its path to
the floor.

1st ball: Time = .45 2nd ball: Time = .4

5. Using the acceleration equations, find the acceleration which pulled on the ball as it fell. Show ALL your work
below:

2(.796)/.45^2

2(.579)/.4^2

1st ball: Acceleration = 7.8617 2nd ball: Acceleration = 7.2375

6. Find your absolute error between your answer for the acceleration and the accepted value of the acceleration due to
gravity. To do this, subtract your answer and 9.8 m/s2 (the accepted value).

1st ball: Error = 1.94 2nd ball: Error = 2.57