Principle

The aim of this experiment is to film a high-speed video of a sphere falling from the height of fall h. The "measure Dynamics" software is used for the graphical representation of the distance as a function of time t and also as a function of the square of time t^2 as well as the graphical representation of the velocity v and acceleration a as a function of time t. Then, the measured values are used to determine the gravitational acceleration g.
The velocity and acceleration are then integrated into the video, followed by a discussion of the results.

Benefits

• Gravitation scrutinized
• Find out how the velocity of a falling object increases
• Didactical demonstration of the falling distances
• Visualise the squared distance-time law
• Steady set-up
• All crucial parts directly engineered for this experiment

Tasks

1. Determination of the gravitational acceleration by way of the distance-time law for the free fall.
2. Determination of the gravitational acceleration by way of the velocity-time law for the free fall. 
3. Determination of the gravitational acceleration.
4. Integration of the velocity and acceleration into the video.

Learning objectives

• Linear motion due to constant acceleration
• Laws governing falling bodies
• Acceleration due to gravity