A measurement of the local gravitational acceleration.
Watch The Video:
Teachable Topics:
- Newton's Laws
- Acceleration
- Gravity
Theory:
A body of mass will fall at a constant acceleration due to the attraction of mass between the body and the mass fo the earth. If the acceleration is labeled g, then we can write:
F = mg
where m is the mass and F is the force the earth exerts on it.
Since acceleration is the result of the change in velocity (Δv) with the passage of time (Δt),
Apparatus:
- Ruler
- 12V DC power supply
- Photogate
- steel ball
- Three clamps
- Vernier caliper
- Scissor jack
- Electromagnet
- Alignment string
- Four connecting wires
Procedure:
- Once the equipment is clamped in place, align the photogate with the electromagnet. This is done using an alignment string, which hangs from the electromagnet, (See photo).
- After it is aligned, remove the string, and adjust the strength of the electromagnet so the metal ball is hanging from the top.
- Then reset your photogate before dropping the ball through.
- Repeat this three times, adjusting the height each time.
