Physics 201

Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Abstract:
The purpose of this lab was to determine the acceleration of two falling bodies. Most
equipment we use today are fairly accurate, but there are some which are not
accurate, but to get the best results we must analyze data and draw conclusions, so
we are able to get close to the accuracy.
In this lab, our task is to approximate the value of acceleration of gravity by
observing and testing the two falling objects. We are told to count the dots/time
printed on a tape. This will be done by using Excel on computer to calculate and
graph the values; such as those of positon, velocity, and acceleration versus time.
Equipment:

One mass of 20-gram and 100 gram

Timer
Three 80 cm reading tapes
Meter stick
Computer with Excel
Clacker

Procedure:
1. Plug in and clamp the clacker on the edge of the table, with an 80 cm. tape
inside the slot ready to be pulled out.
2. Turn on the clacker.
3. Pull the tape through the clacker with constant speed while timing the
process.
4. Count the number of dots on the tape and divide the value by the total
time, obtaining the time interval between each dot.
5. Attach the 20g mass to a second tape.
6. Turn on the clacker and let the mass fall onto the floor.
7. Measure and record the position of each dot on the tape.
8. Repeat steps 5-7 for the 100g mass on a new tape.
Excel Calculations

Number of Dots

186

Total Time

3.11

Time Interval Between Dots

0.01672

Error analysis:
The final value of acceleration is very close to the value of g(9.8lm/s 2 ), but
the error increases in significant amount.

The difference in our final acceleration could come from several reasons:
1. Equipment quality
2. Length difference in tape and measuring devices (meter stick or
Human error).
3. Acceleration in the pull of tape.
4. Inaccuracy of clacker device.
The purpose of this lab was to find gravity very close to 9.81m/s 2, which is
why we were given the old clacker and we had to drew conclusion based on
the results and observation. The clacker is very old may have variation in
voltage, therefore it can affect the tape reading as well.
The use of meter stick to measure mm can be hard at several occasions.
Since the smallest unit on meter stick is 1 millimeter, which has to be taken
into account for error on measurement.

Conclusion:
Acceleration

Mass

20g

100g

Accel. Graph

1.30

733.3

Vel. Graph

1.76

197.6

Displace.
Graph

0.029

3.30

Average

Questions:
1. The great variation of this experiment were caused by the friction
between the tape and the clacker. The friction can delay the speed of the
fall by a significant amount, since the 20g and 100g weight arent that
heavy.
2. The slope for acceleration of the 20g graph is 2.9, and for 100g graph is
1657. They should have been zero, but due to equipment flaws, friction
and air resistance the results are greatly different.
3. On the v(t) graphs, the y intercept represents the initial velocity, the
values for both 20g, and 100grams should be zero, but it was below zero,
due to heavy weight.
4. The fifth value of the acceleration seems to be most accurate. It shows
that position-x is increasing. The reason for this is because the 100g is
heavier than 20g which decreases the chances of delaying the clacks on
the tape.