PK 1 Experimental Errors and Uncertainty RPT

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)
<y>
σ t2 0
0
0
0
0
0

0.5
1.0
1.4
1.1
1.4
1.5

0.75
2.6
3.2
2.8
2.5
3.1

1.0
4.8
4.4
5.1
4.7
4.8

1.25
8.2
7.9
7.5
8.1
7.4

Procedures
From the above data perform the following Tasks.

Task 1. Complete the table.
Results 1:

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

Task 3. Plot a graph <y> 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 3:

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 4:

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 attachment.