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Date ………………………

PHYSICS PRACTICAL WORKSHEET

2018

Name -……………………………………………….

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTORY NOTES .................................................................................................. 3
Calculations and Graphs ................................................................................................................ 3
Aim and Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 3
Discussion ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Practical 1 – Falling Objects ................................................................................................. 4
Aim- ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Theory ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Assignments .................................................................................................................................... 4
Measuring the gravitational acceleration ............................................................................... 5
Objective: ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Theory: ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Procedure: ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Analysis of the graph – ..................................................................................................................... 6
Discussion ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 8

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INTRODUCTORY NOTES
You are required to complete practical work as part of the subject Physics. The practical work is
worth 20% of your final mark.

All practical work is to be completed in class by the required date. Marks will be deducted for
work which is not completed by the due date.

The marks allocated for each part of the exercise are indicated e.g. [3 marks]

Calculations and Graphs

1. Show all working associates with calculations, including any formula used. Marks will be
deducted for answers where the breakdown of calculations is not shown and if only the
answer is stated by using the calculator.
2. Make sure that you always write down units for your answers.
3. Plot points in HB pencil and use HB pencil and ruler to draw any line of best fit.
4. Ensure that graphical axes are fully labeled.

Aim and Conclusion

The aim of the experiment explains what it is that we are trying to achieve in the experiment. In
the conclusion, we look at the aim, and state what we have achieved. For example, if the aim is
to find the acceleration of a body, the conclusion should state the value found experimentally,
and the percentage error associated with this experimental value.

Discussion
In the discussion, comment briefly on the uncertainty of the experiment and the errors associated
with the experimental. Make sure to write a specific condition rather than a general comment. If
there are other points to highlight, it can be done in the discussion.

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Practical 1 – Falling Objects

Aim-
• To study the motion of an object falling under gravity
• Construct a motion diagram of an object falling under gravity
• To understand the effect of gravity on different objects
• Finding the acceleration of free fall

Theory
• All objects are subjected to gravitational acceleration of 9.81 m/s2. Thus when they fall
the velocity of the ball will increase, which will also increase the displacement travelled
by an object in each second.
• Despite the size of the mass, all objects will accelerate at the same acceleration provided
that there is no air resistance.

Assignments

Observe the motion on objects that are falling under gravity and how it’s displacement changes
with time.
Observe the motions of two objects with different masses falling under gravity with no air
resistance and how it’s displacement changes with time.

Draw motion diagram for both

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Measuring the gravitational acceleration

Objective:

To determine the acceleration due to gravity near the earth’s surface by three different methods.

Theory:

The acceleration due to gravity (g) can be most easily measured by the use of basic motion
equations.
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d=vi t+1⁄2at is used to calculate the acceleration due to gravity g.

When an object is dropped from rest, initial velocity would be zero. Therefore, the equation
would simplify to

1 !
𝑆 = 𝑔𝑡
2
If a graph was drawn s vs t2 the gradient would be equal to !! 𝑔 . Which can be used to find g

2 X gradient = g (gravitational acceleration)

Theory suggests that the gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.81m/s.

Procedure:

1) Place the small diameter ball at a known height.

2) Measure the distance from the bottom of the ball to the ground.
3) Release the ball and record the drop time.
4) Repeat 2 more times and calculate/record the average for that ball and height.
5) Repeat the procedure with different heights and obtain the respective times.
6) Draw a graph Distance (s) against (t2) graph.
7) Gradient X 2 is gravity.

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Displacement (m) Time (s) Time 2 ( s2)

Draw the graph in graphing papers.

Analysis of the graph –

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Discussion

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Conclusion