Observing Accelerated Motion and Determining ‘g’

Chris Peoples, Physics Teacher

Sunny Hills High School, Fullerton, California, USA

1.0 Introduction

Aim/Objective
In this exercise you will observe evidence for accelerated motion caused by the force of gravity. You will
then use this information to determine/compute a value for the acceleration of a body caused by gravity.

Background information
The interval timer provides a means for measuring and recording the motion of a body as it moves in a
straight line. The timer marks small dots on a paper tape as the tape is drawn through it. Knowing that
the dots are ‘equally’ spaced in time allows us to identify and determine if the motion of an object is
either at a constant speed or accelerated. Timing marks that are evenly spaced apart indicate a condition
of constant speed. If the distance between the marks changes, then accelerated motion is apparent.
Acceleration is termed ‘constant’ if the distance between each set of marks increases by the same amount
over each time interval

2.0 Equipment and Materials

Interval timer, ticker tape, carbon disks, masking tape, ring-stand, c-clamp, falling mass (i.e., 12- ½”
diameter steel washers tied together, approximately 200 grams)

3.0 Experiment Equipment Set-up

Clamp the ring-stand to the edge of the table so the base points towards the center of the table. Attach the
interval timer to the top of the ring stand so that it extends past the edge of the table (see figure below).
Interval Timer

Ticker tape

Falling mass
4.0 Experiment Process / Data Acquisition

4.1) Measure off a piece of ticker tape of length equal or slightly less than the to height of the timer above
the floor. Using a small piece of masking tape attach the ticker tape to the tied-together washers.

4.2) Thread the ticker tape into the interval timer, and pull the washers upward until they are suspended
just below the interval timer. Steady the washers so they will not rock back and forth while suspended.

4.3) While holding ticker tape horizontal (i.e., parallel to the floor) at the same height as the interval
timer, start the interval timer operating and release the tape. Upon releasing the tape, the washers will fall
to the floor and pull the ticker tape through the timer. The timer will mark the tape at regular intervals of
time as shown below.

5.0 Data Collection:

5.1) Using your newly acquired data tape, identify the first individual dot on the tape past where the dots
are smeared or too close together to be distinguishable. Label this as dot “0”. This is the start of your
data.

5.2) Skip the next dot and label the following dot as “1”, repeat again for the next dot labeling the
following dot as “2”. Continue consecutively numbering every other dot on the tape until you reach the
end of the tape (see below).

0 1 2

5.3) The time interval from one number to the next is called a ‘tick’. The actual time a tick represents
(i.e., the number of seconds) depends on the rate at which the interval timer strikes the tickertape. The
quantity of ticks you numbered on your data tape equals the number of data points you will have for
analysis (about 20 to 25 samples). Construct a data table with three columns: the first will be the Time
(ticks), the second will be the Average Velocity (cm/tick), and the last will be the Total Displacement
(cm). The length of your table will coincide with the number of ticks you measured.

5.4) The distance between each successive time interval (i.e., a ‘tick’) equals the average velocity for that
interval. Average velocity is defined as the distance traveled during one time increment (in cm) divided
by the time (1 tick). In this case, since the velocity is considered constant over the interval the average
velocity and the instantaneous velocity are the same value. Measure the distance between each
successive interval and record this as the average velocity for that interval.

5.5) The total displacement is the distance from the start point “0” to each tick, and can be determined by
totaling the average velocities from the start to the tick in question. Compute and record the total
displacement for each tick of your data.
6.0 Data Analysis

6.1) To determine if you data show any evidence of accelerated motion, prepare a graph frame and plot
the average velocity versus the time on the frame.

6.2) Study the plotted data carefully and identify and draw the “best fit” straight line that passes through
the data points.

6.3) Prepare a second graph frame and plot the total displacement versus time data.

6.4) Again, study the data and determine the best type of line to be drawn through the data points and
connect them.

6.5) The velocity-time graph, being linear, can be used to determine the magnitude of the acceleration
caused by the force of gravity. The slope of this graph equals this value. Select two plotted data points
located on the line you have drawn through your data set. Choose points that are relatively far apart from
each other. Using the velocity and tick number for these points, compute and record the slope of this line.
6.6) The slope computed above is in units of centimeters per tick squared (cm/tick2). This is not a
standard nor an accepted unit of measure. From your instructor, obtain the conversion factor for
converting ticks to seconds, and convert your slope to proper units. Remember, the time is squared, so do
not forget to square the conversion factor before multiplying. Finally, convert you computed value to the
proper units of m/s2.

7.0 Analysis and Conclusions

Interpretation and Analysis

Using your data and both graphs, discuss what evidence you have that the motion of a falling body is
indeed accelerated motion. Also, discuss how you know that it is a constant acceleration. Finally, discuss
your determination of ‘g’ and how it compares to the accepted value of 9.8 m/s2 (i.e., the percent
difference).

Limitations and Weaknesses

In this experiment, it is doubtful that the value you obtained is any where close to the accepted value.
Discuss the factor(s) that may have caused any experimental error (Hint: Was the falling mass perfectly
still before you released the tape? Did the paper tape flow smoothly through the interval timer? Are the
dots clearly printed on the tape? Is you measurement of the spacing between the dots consistent?). Also,
discuss how the data analysis could introduce error into your computed value (Hint: what about your best
fit straight line drawn on the velocity time graph, and the data points chosen to compute the slope?) Air
resistance is an insignificant factor.

Suggestions for Improvement

There are numerous sources of error in this experiment and their elimination would result in determining
the value of ‘g’. Discuss how you might change, alter or modify this experiment so as to improve data
quality.