PASCO ME-9283 Tape Timer - Manual (Page 9)

012-04944B Tape Timer
5
Experiment: Acceleration Due to Gravity
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
– Tape Timer with paper tape – Hooked mass 200 g
– Table clamp and rod – Masking tape
– Graph paper
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the acceleration due to
gravity.
Theory
A mass attached to one end of the tape is allowed to drop. The dots printed
on the tape as it passes through the Tape Timer record the position of the
mass as a function of time.
To find the acceleration due to gravity, graph the average speed versus
time. To calculate the average speeds for each time interval, use
v =
∆
x
∆
t
The slope of the resulting straight line is equal to the acceleration due to
gravity
g =
∆
v
∆
t
Setup
➀
Clamp the Tape Timer to the edge of a table using the rod and table clamp.
Orient the Tape Timer on its side so the tape can pass through the Tape
Timer vertically. (See Figure.)
➁ Cut a piece of paper tape as long as the distance between the timer and the
floor.
➂ Make a loop with one end of the paper tape by folding it over and securing
it with a piece of tape. Hook the 200 g mass on the loop end of the paper
tape.
➤NOTE: If the mass used is too small, it will not give accurate results because of air drag
and friction on the paper tape.
Procedure
➀ Thread the other end of the paper tape through the Tape Timer until the mass is at the level of the
Timer.
➁ Hold the paper tape vertically above the Timer and turn on the Timer to 40 Hz.
➂
Drop the tape, allowing the mass to fall.
➃ Tape the paper tape to a table and measure the positions of each of the dots. Don’t use the
first dot because the mass may not have begun to move when the dot was made.
Floor
Tape
Timer
Table
Table
clamp Hooked
mass
Paper tape
(held by hand)