Free Fall Acceleration Lab

Serena
Elanjithara
Serena
Elanjithara

Abstract
In this lab, we used falling books to measure
the acceleration of gravity. We first dropped one
book and measured its gravity, and then strapped
two books together to compare the downward
acceleration of different masses. My hypothesis was
that the acceleration of gravity would be similar
even when we change the mass of the object. Once
we measured the accelerations of both masses we
compared the two numbers and used it to set the
acceleration of gravity. In class we used this
information
to
help
understand
gravitys
acceleration. We later learned that its acceleration is
9.81m/s2. Our lab was modeled to prove this
statement true.

Methods

Results

Conclusions

We started this lab by writing a hypothesis

to measure our results with. We predicted that no
matter the mass of the falling object, the
acceleration towards the ground would stay the
same. To start the experiment we took two of the
same sized books. We used a program to measure
the acceleration from start to finish of the books
drop. We first dropped one book by itself, then
two books strapped together with rubber bands.
We then collected the information, and graphed
them to compare the accelerations.

After dropping the first book, the

computer recorded the data and we found that its
acceleration was approximately 9.87 m/s2. When
we dropped the two books strapped together, the
computer recorded that the acceleration was
10.7m/s2.

Conducting the free fall lab was a

precursor to the chapter in physics that we were
learning, which was projectiles. Our lab helped us
understand that all masses have the same
gravitational acceleration. Once we learned this
we also learned that the scientifically proven
acceleration of gravity is 9.81m/s2. In the chapter
of projectiles we used this to calculate many
things including the distance that an object
travels when thrown upwards or dropped down.
We also use these to find its initial and final
velocities. When using physics, the acceleration
of gravity is very important and it is used in
almost everything we do.

ACCELERATION OF 1 FALLING BOOK

a= 4.63
Vo= 1.63
Xo= 1.24

X= 4.63t2 +1.63t +1.24

This is the data we

collected from dropping
the book- one book, and
two.

Objectives
v

V= 9.87t -7.47
ACCELERATION OF 2 FALLING BOOKS

a= 3.06
Vo= -1.62

Through this project, we aimed to find the

acceleration of gravity. We measured the
downward of acceleration of different falling
masses(a variable number of books) and then
used that information to calculate and define
acceleration of gravity.

a = 9.87
Vo= -7.47

Xo= .13
X= 3.06t2-1.62t +.13

These are the predictive graphs I

made for distance, velocity, and
acceleration.

a= 10.7
Vo= -13.8
V= 10.7t -13.8