Determine an approximate value for the acceleration of free fall using a tennis ball, metre ruler and a stopwatch.

Drop the ball from a given height that is measured with the ruler and measure the time it takes for it to reach the ground using the stopwatch. Use the appropriate SUVAT equation of motion: we have a height (vertical displacement, acceleration only acts downwards due to gravity) and a time, and would like to calculate acceleration. Hence we need s = ut + 1/2 at2, where "s" is the height from which the ball was dropped, "u" is initial velocity which is 0, "t" is the time of dropping and "a" is the acceleration which we would like to find out. Reorder the equation for "a": a=2*s/t2 and substitute in the known values. Repeat this a few times and take an average due to measurement errors and for better reliability of the experiment.

VN
Answered by Viktoria N. Physics tutor

11506 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

If a ball of mass 5kg is dropped from rest, how far will it travel in the 3 seconds after it reaches 150m from it's original position? Write down the change in it's total energy after the 3 seconds. (ignoring air resistance)


Give an example of 3 different types of radiation stating their make up, penetration and ionising effect.


Explain what happens in terms of current induced as a magnet enters a solenoid in a closed circuit, and as it leaves.


Define a "Vector Quantity" and list 2 examples.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning