Experimental Errors

PK – Lab Report Name: ____________________

Section: ___________________

Experimental Errors and Uncertainty

Data:

The data table that follows shows data taken in a free-fall experiment.

Measurements were made of the distance of fall (Y) at each of the four precisely measured times.

Time, t (s)|Dist, y1 (m)|Dist, y2 (m)|Dist, y3 (m)|Dist, y4 (m)|Dist, y5 (m)||σ|t2|
0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
0.5|1.0|1.4|1.1|1.4|1.5|1.3|.2|.25|
0.75|2.6|3.2|2.8|2.5|3.1|2.8|.3|.56|
1.0|4.8|4.4|5.1|4.7|4.8|4.8|.3|1|
1.25|8.2|7.9|7.5|8.1|7.4|7.8|.4|1.56|

Procedures:
From the above data perform the following Tasks.

Task 1. Complete the table.
Results 1:

Task 2. Plot a graph versus t (plot t on the abscissa, i.e., x-axis).
Results 1:

Task 3. Plot a graph versus t2 (plot t2 on the abscissa, i.e., x-axis). The equation of motion for an object in free fall starting from rest is y = ½ gt2, where g is the acceleration due to gravity. This is the equation of a parabola, which has the general form y = ax2.
Results 1:

Task 4. Determine the slope of the line and compute an experimental value of g from the slope value. Remember, the slope of this graph represents ½ g.
Results :

Task 5. Compute the percent error of the experimental value of g determined from the graph in part d. (Accepted value of g = 9.8 m/s2)
Results 5:

Task 6. Use a spreadsheet to perform the calculations and plot the graphs indicated.

Results 6: The spreadsheet with calculations graphs is attached as a separate