Motion Sensor Cable plugged

into DIG/SONIC 1
USB Cable connected to
laptop
Ball Bounce and Acceleration of Gravity NAME Bri

Introductory Conceptual Physics Partners ___________________________

___________________________

PROCEDURE:


1. Connect the Motion Sensor to the DIG/SONIC 1 input
of the Vernier Lab Pro as shown to the right.


2. Open the file Ball Drop Data File from blackboard.


3. With the motion sensor pointed downward, drop the ball so that it bounces under the motion sensor several time.
Be careful to keep the motion sensor at the same height while collecting the data. You may have to move the
motion sensor laterally to keep the ball directly under the ball. The resulting graphs will be similar to those
pictured below.











4. If you are not satisfied with the graph, repeat the experiment until you have an acceptable graph.

5. Save the data file to your student drive.

6. Repeat the experiment for a different type of ball.

Analyzing Data: Position Graph

1. Use the examine (x=) button to trace the coordinates of the points on the graph. Write down the time and
position of the ball when it is at the top of its path:

1
st
ball: Time = 1.35 Position = 0.603 2
nd
Ball: Time = __.85_______ Position =
__1.287_______

2. Now move the crosshairs to the point where the ball hits the ground. Write down the coordinates of this point.

1
st
ball: Time = 1.70 Position = 1.294 2
nd
Ball: Time = _1.25________ Position =
0.656________

3. Subtract the position values of the examined points to find the displacement of the ball as it fell from the top of
its path to the floor.

1
st
ball: Displacement = _.691___________ 2
nd
ball: Displacement =
__.4____________

4. Subtract your time values of the examined points to find the time that the ball took as fell from the top of its path
to the floor.

1
st
ball: time =.85____________ 2
nd
ball: time = ___1.287____________

5. Using the acceleration equations, find the acceleration which pulled on the ball as it fell. Show ALL your work
below:












1
st
ball: a = .8253

2
nd
ball:: a = .4829

6. Find your absolute error between your answer for the acceleration and the accepted value of the acceleration due
to gravity. To do this, subtract your answer and 9.8 m/s
2
(the accepted value).


1
st
ball: error = -8.9747 2
nd
ball: error = -9.3171