Free Fall: Lab Report

Free Fall
LAB REPORT
By Changkid Pratumma 6161034/1102
Nuttamon Prathomthong 6161126/1104
Nolaphan Roongrojpanawan 6161210/1104
Pradchaya Utsahakijamnuay 6161052/1104
Introduction
Free-fall is the motion of the object when only gravity is
acting on it. Since gravity near the surface of the Earth always
has a constant acceleration of 9.8 m/s2 downward, free-fall will
always have a constant acceleration. Whether the object is falling
down, thrown upward or having no velocity at all, as long as
gravity is acting on it, the acceleration of the object will always be
-9.8 m/s2.
Free-fall formulas have been derived in many forms to help

people calculate the velocity, time, and displacement of the
object. The formulas include;
1. Δy = vav(Δt)
2. g = Δv/Δt
3. yf = yi + Vi(tf) + ½(g)(tf)2
4. vf2 = vi2 + 2(g)(Δy)
5.
When perceiving the data people would often think that the
final velocity of the object is zero because the object would stop
when it hits the ground. However, that is incorrect because once
the object hits the ground it is no longer in free-fall. This mindset
could cause the calculations of free-fall to be off.
The motion that we see in our daily lives are mostly not true free-
fall. We are never really experiencing free-fall in our lives
because things around us are almost always affected by other
external forces, like air resistance. Thus objects of different
shapes seem to have different accelerations. If no other force
aside from gravity is acting on the different objects, then every
object should hit the ground at the same moment if dropped from
the same distance.
Objective
The goal of this experiment is to study the free
fall of objects of different sizes.
In this experiment, we will be dropping two
different types of balls (tennis and table tennis) at
the same height. Using the recorded time to
calculate the height, then comparing the results
with the actual height of the drop. That is to see the
difference between the free-fall theory and reality.
Materials
3 Tennis balls
3 Table tennis balls
3 Stopwatches
Measuring tape
Set up
Procedures
1. Assign roles for each member(3 timers,
collector)
2. Timer go to the 4th floor with 3 tennis balls, 3

table tennis ball, measuring tape, 3 stopwatch

3. Timer C measure the height from the 4th

floor balcony to 2nd floor.
4. Timer B record the height
5. Prepare to record data

Procedures
6. Timer A drops the ball and give signal to
start the time until the ball hit the ground
(Timer A, B, C record time separately)
7. Timer B record all results(time) in the

worksheet
8. Repeat for 2 more trials, then move on to the

next object(also 3 traits)
9. Collect and return the balls
10. Doing lab report

Calculation
Data & Results
Analysis
By using the average time (recorded by the 3
timers) and the distance formula (see Calculation), we
can get the calculated distance/height according to
free-fall. The results were then compared with the
height measured by a measuring tape. The results
calculated using the formula were not accurate when
compared with the measured height. However, the
percent difference between the two heights of heavy
objects were much closer than those of the light
objects.
We concluded that the results were different
because of the different times each ball took to hit the
ground. Lighter objects hit the ground slower than the
heavy objects. Since the distance formula depended on
time, the results were also affected. We believe this
was caused by different air resistance acting on the
objects.
When calculating for velocity and time of the two
objects using the free-fall formula and the measured
height. In this calculation, there were no outers forces
acting on the objects other than gravity. The results
showed that both the time and the velocity of the two
objects were the same even in different positions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this experiment is not
free fall. According to the data and
results, both objects hit the ground at
different times with the same
displacement. The free fall theory
states that any objects with different
mass will hit the ground at the same
time. Therefore, not only gravity is
acting on the ball but also air
resistance. If there were no outers
forces acting on the objects, both
objects would hit the ground at the
same time and have the same velocity
throughout.
Recommendation
To improve our free fall experiment, our

group will focus more about the accuracy
of height and time. We should measure
the height for two or three times to make
sure that it is accurate. Also the height
where we release the object because if it is
not exactly where we measure then the
result will be inaccurate. We should also
focus more about timing because when we
drop the ball, we did not know exactly
when the ball hits the ground. If we
release the object at the same height for
every trial and focus more about timing
we will get the results that is more
accurate.
References
Stadsvold, J. (2017, April 20). What is Free
Fall? A Quick Lesson in Physics. Retrieved
from
https://headrushtech.com/blogs/what-is-
free-fall/.
Freefall review. (0AD). Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap
-physics-1/ap-one-dimensional-
motion/falling-objects-ap-
physics/a/freefall-ap1.
Britannica, T. E. of E. (0AD). Free-fall.
Retrieved from
https://britannica.com/science/free-fall-
physics.
Work log
Pratchaya:
- Collect the ball at 2nd floor
- Write introduction, objective, and materials
- Check report
- Do calculation of the results
Nuttamon:
- Drop the balls
- Timing
- Draw set up, write procedures, data and results
Changkid:
- Take note
- Timing
- Do calculation of the results
- Write calculation, analysis of the results, and
conclusion
Nolaphan:
- Measure with the measuring tape
- Timing
- Write recommendation, references, and work log

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Free Fall

Free-fall formulas have been derived in many forms to help

2. Timer go to the 4th floor with 3 tennis balls, 3

3. Timer C measure the height from the 4th

4. Timer B record the height

5. Prepare to record data

7. Timer B record all results(time) in the

8. Repeat for 2 more trials, then move on to the

9. Collect and return the balls

10. Doing lab report

To improve our free fall experiment, our

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