IB DP Physics – Grade 11

Bakytkerey Madi, group_1

Determination of the free fall acceleration

A group of students carries out an experiment to

determine the value of the free fall acceleration
𝑔 at the surface of the Earth. The students use
time sensors and a ruler (Fig. 1) to measure the
time 𝑡 that a small metal sphere takes to fall
through a height ℎ.
It can be shown that,

1
2
(eq. 1)
ℎ= 𝑔𝑡
2 Fig 1. Experimental apparatus

The students collected the following data.

Raw data
Table 1. The time taken for the sphere to fall through different heights.

ℎ/ ± 𝑡/ ± 0.001 s
0.001 m Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5
0.118 0.155 0.153 0.156 0.156 0.152
0.168 0.183 0.182 0.183 0.182 0.184
0.216 0.208 0.205 0.210 0.211 0.210
0.268 0.236 0.235 0.237 0.239 0.231
0.318 0.250 0.254 0.255 0.250 0.256
0.368 0.276 0.277 0.276 0.278 0.276
0.418 0.292 0.293 0.294 0.291 0.292
0.468 0.310 0.310 0.303 0.300 0.311
0.518 0.322 0.328 0.330 0.328 0.324
0.568 0.342 0.341 0.343 0.343 0.352
 IB DP Physics – Grade 11
The students then process the raw data and build a second table showing the average time 𝑡𝑎𝑣, the
2
absolute uncertainty in the average time ∆𝑡𝑎𝑣, the square of the average time 𝑡𝑎𝑣, and the respective
uncertainty ∆𝑡2𝑎𝑣
.

The incomplete processed data table is presented in Table 2.

Processed table
Table 2. Average time taken for free fall metallic from different heights and its uncertainty

ℎ/ ± 𝑡/ ± 0,001 s t av /s ∆
∆t av /s
2 2
t av / s 2 2
t av / s

0,001 m Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5

0,118 0,155 0,153 0,156 0,156 0,152 0,154 0,002 0,0238 0,0006
0,168 0,183 0,182 0,183 0,182 0,184 0,183 0,001 0,0334 0,0004
0,216 0,208 0,205 0,21 0,211 0,21 0,209 0,003 0,044 0,001
0,268 0,236 0,235 0,237 0,239 0,231 0,236 0,004 0,056 0,002
0,318 0,25 0,254 0,255 0,25 0,256 0,253 0,003 0,064 0,002
0,368 0,276 0,277 0,276 0,278 0,276 0,277 0,001 0,0765 0,0006
0,418 0,292 0,293 0,294 0,291 0,292 0,292 0,002 0,0855 0,0009
0,468 0,31 0,31 0,303 0,3 0,311 0,307 0,006 0,094 0,003
0,518 0,322 0,328 0,33 0,328 0,324 0,326 0,004 0,107 0,003
0,568 0,342 0,341 0,343 0,343 0,352 0,344 0,005 0,118 0,004

Examples of calculations for the height 0.118m:

trial 1+trial 2+trial3+ trial 4+trial 5 0,155+0,153+0,156 +0,156+ 0,152
t av = = =0,154
5 5

max−min 0,156−0,153
∆t av = = = 0,002
2 2

2
t av = t av*t av = 0,154*0,154 = 0,0238

2 2 2 2
max −min 0,156 −0,152
∆t av2 = = = 0,0006
2 2

Graph 1 Relationship between the average time taken for free fall of a metallic ball and height
 IB DP Physics – Grade 11

Graph 2 Relationship between the squared average time taken for free fall of a metallic ball and height.
 IB DP Physics – Grade 11
Questions (18 marks)

1. A, B, C, and D are units. State each unit. [1]

A – average time taken

B – absolute uncertainty of average time taken
C – average time taken squared
D – absolute uncertainty of average time taken squared

2. Use Microsoft Excel to calculate the missing values in table 2. Present those values in the table with
the correct significant figures and decimal places.

ℎ/ ± 𝑡/ ± 0,001 s t av /s ∆
∆t av /s
2
t av / s 2
t av / s

0,001 m Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5

0,118 0,155 0,153 0,156 0,156 0,152 0,154 0,002 0,0238 0,0006
0,168 0,183 0,182 0,183 0,182 0,184 0,183 0,001 0,0334 0,0004
0,216 0,208 0,205 0,21 0,211 0,21 0,209 0,003 0,044 0,001
0,268 0,236 0,235 0,237 0,239 0,231 0,236 0,004 0,056 0,002
0,318 0,25 0,254 0,255 0,25 0,256 0,253 0,003 0,064 0,002
0,368 0,276 0,277 0,276 0,278 0,276 0,277 0,001 0,0765 0,0006
0,418 0,292 0,293 0,294 0,291 0,292 0,292 0,002 0,0855 0,0009
0,468 0,31 0,31 0,303 0,3 0,311 0,307 0,006 0,094 0,003
0,518 0,322 0,328 0,33 0,328 0,324 0,326 0,004 0,107 0,003
0,568 0,342 0,341 0,343 0,343 0,352 0,344 0,005 0,118 0,004

[2]
trial 1+trial 2+trial3+ trial 4+trial 5 0,155+0,153+0,156 +0,156+ 0,152
t av = = =0,154
5 5

max−min 0,156−0,153
∆t av = = = 0,002
2 2

2
t av = t av*t av = 0,154*0,154 = 0,0238

2 2 2 2
2 max −min 0,156 −0,152
∆t av = = = 0,0006
2 2

3. Complete the table below showing one example of calculation for each value in row 1 of table 1. [2]

Calculation of Formula Calculation

𝑡𝑎𝑣 trial1+trial 2+trial 3+trial 4 +trial5 0,155+0,153+0,156 +0,156+ 0,152
=0,154
5 5
∆𝑡𝑎𝑣 max−min 0,156−0,153
= 0,002
2 2
 IB DP Physics – Grade 11
t av*t av 0,154*0,154 = 0,0238
𝑡2
𝑎𝑣
2 2 2 2
∆𝑡2 max −min 0,156 −0,152
= 0,0006
𝑎𝑣 2 2

4. Using Graphical analysis,

(a) draw a graph of 𝑡𝑎𝑣 on the y-axis against ℎ on the x-axis. Include error bars on both axes. [2]

(b) draw the line of best fit on your graph. [1]

Done above

5. The graph in question 4. does not show a linear relationship between 𝑡𝑎𝑣 and ℎ.

By keeping ℎ on the x-axis, use eq. 1 to explain which quantity should be represented on the y-axis to
obtain linear relationship between Explain how you can linearize eq. 1 so you can obtain a linear
relationship between 𝑡𝑎𝑣 and ℎ. [1]
By taking a squared average time taken it is possible to linearize the graph because according to
the provided formula, height is proportional to the squared root of the average time taken. That Is why the
graph is a root function. Consequently, by squaring the 𝑡𝑎𝑣 we can obtain h~t, which is a linear function.

6.

(a) Draw the graph suggested in question 5. Include error bars on both axes. [2]

(b) Draw the line of best fit on your graph. [1]

(c) Draw the lines of maximum and minimum gradient. [1]

(d) Calculate the absolute uncertainty on the gradient of the line of best fit [1]

(e) Determine the value of the free fall acceleration.

2h / t^2 = g

2*0.118 / 0.154^2 = g

g = 9.95 m/ s2

[1]

(f) Estimate the uncertainty in the free fall acceleration.

Δg/g = 0.001/0.118 + 2(0.002/0.154) = 0.034 ~ 0.03 m/ s2

[1]

(g) State your value for the free fall acceleration, including the absolute uncertainty. [1]
g = (9.95±0.03) m/ s2

7. Submit your work in pdf format to Google Classroom.

You must submit the Excel file you used for the processed data table calculations. [1]