This is an observation of constant acceleration due to gravity on an incline and in free fall. This lab does not attempt to introduce or explain other forces affecting the acceleration (air resistance or friction). There is a small (and optional) amount of trigonometry required for the students to compare their measured accelerations to the predicted acceleration. Alternatively, students can explore the difference between positive and negative acceleration by comparing graphs of upramp and downramp motion.
Student Objectives
- Verify Galileo’s observation that a ball on an incline will roll with a constant acceleration
- Determine the acceleration of a ball rolled down an incline
- Confirm graphically the kinematic relationship between distance traveled and elapsed time
- Examine graphical results for evidence of experimental error
- Compare the experimental value for g to the known value