Required Practical 3: Determination Of G By Freefall Flashcards

(5 cards)

1
Q

Describe a method to determine g by a free-fall method

A

1) set up apparatus
2) measure the distance between the two light gets using a meter ruler, so the height between them is 0.5m
3) turn on the electromagnetic and attach the steel ball bearing. Reset stopwatch to zero and turn off electromagnet. Read and record time for ball to pass through the light gates
4) reduce h by 0.05m by moving the lower light gate up. Use a meter ruler
5) repeat experiment decreasing h by 0.05 each time until h=0.25m
6) carry out experiment twice more to gain average values of t for each value of h
7) plot a graph of 2h/t against t. The gradient will be g using SUVAT
8) the y intercept is 2u

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2
Q

How can you make this experiment safe

A

Use a g clamp to clamp the stand to the desk
Put a pad underneath the light gates for the ball bearing to fall onto

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3
Q
A
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4
Q

How can you reduce error and uncertainty in this experiment

A
  • the ball bearing should be dense to mitigate the effects of air resistance
  • clamp a ruler directly next to the light gets to reduce parallax error
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5
Q

How should you keep constant in this experiment

A

The distance between the upper light gate and the starting position of the ball, so ball reaches light gate at same speed each time

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