2.

05 Free Fall Motion Activity-

Remember, d =vot + 1/2at2 is the equation for the distance an accelerating object
travels. How could you simplify that equation if you are starting from rest?

The simulator that you will use to design your experiment is used for projectile
motion. We are only concerned with being able to drop an object in a way that will
allow you to obtain accurate data.

Procedure:

1. Run the simulation and select the Intro tab. You will see several controls that
are not important for this activity. Beneath the cannon, you will see a slider
for initial speed. Please slide that down to 0 m/s. Select the cannon and drag
it upwards. You will be selecting three different heights to drop the object
from.
2. Drag the cannon up to the first elevation that you would like to use. Record
that height on your lab worksheet. Press the red "fire" button at the bottom.
A line of dots appear below the cannon as your object falls to the ground.
3. Across the top of the simulator, there are measuring devices. Select the
Time/Range/Height device on the left. Drag it down to the very bottom dot
where the object you dropped hit the ground. The center of the cross should
be over the point to get a reading.
4. Record the time from the measuring tool on your lab worksheet. Repeat this
process two more times at different heights of at least 10 meters.
5. Using the data, determine the acceleration due to gravitational force. Be sure
to show your work for all calculations.
6. What to submit:
a. Your data is collected, clearly organized.

Distance (meters) Time (seconds) Acceleration due to

Gravity (m/s2)
(show your work in part b, below)

Trial 1 1 meters 0.45 seconds 9.88 m/s2

Trial 2 8 meters 1.28 seconds 9.77 m/s2

Trial 3 15 meters 1.75 seconds 9.80 m/s2

 b. Your calculations for acceleration due to gravitational force (Hint :
Remember, d =vot + 1/2at2 is the equation for the distance an
accelerating object travels. How could you simplify that equation if you
are starting from rest?). Make sure to show your work below.

d =vot + 1/2at2
vo=0 t=time a= acceleration
D=½(a)(t)^2

1=½ (a)(0.45)^2 -> 2(1/.2025)= a = 9.88 m/s2

8=½ (a)(1.28)^2 -> 16/1.6384= a = 9.77 m/s2

15=½ (a)(1.75)^2 -> 30/3.0625= a = 9.80 m/s2