Essay Sample on Acceleration Due to Gravity

Introduction

Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity of a moving object with time (Physics). Acceleration is caused by force, which can be related by Newton's second law of motion. For free fall, acceleration results from the gravitational force with a value of 9.81m/s2. This experiment was conducted using a slip of paper and a swinging pendulum. The purpose of this lab was to determine and verify the acceleration of objects due to gravity. Acceleration of objects in the same gravitational field occurs at the same rate if air resistance is assumed to be negligible regardless of the mass or composition of the bodies (Physics). In this experiment, it was noted that less dense material like the slip of paper does not accelerate as rapidly as in the swinging pendulum due to air resistance.

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This lab aimed to determine the acceleration due to gravity by employing two different activities, i.e. Slip of paper (free fall) and a simple pendulum. With the slip of paper, the paper fired with a spark made to fall through an instrument in which it leaves marks that denotes the distance traveled by the paper. Time of fall is also recorded which is used to determine the velocity of the fall by dividing distance with time. The acceleration is obtained by dividing velocity by time that denotes the acceleration due to gravity. In a simple pendulum, the oscillation of the swing is recorded and periodic time determined at different length of the pendulum string. A plot of periodic time squared and length on y-axis and x-axis respectively (Physics). The gradient of the graph is established which is used to evaluate for the acceleration due to gravity using the pendulum formula.

Conclusion

The principle of free fall and pendulum has found broad applications in real-world systems. For instance, the acceleration due to gravity has been employed in space shuttles or spacecraft launched in the air when the main engine is cut off. They apply the principle of projectile motion in which gravity is the main force (Scienceclarified). In addition, a pendulum is used in seismometers used for detecting earthquakes (Strobel). The pendulum swings vigorously in case the seismic waves are intense and graphs the magnitude of the movement.

Works Cited

Physics. "Free Fall - The Physics Hypertextbook". The Physics Hypertextbook, https://physics.info/falling/. Accessed 23 Feb 2019.

Physics. "Projectiles - The Physics Hypertextbook". The Physics Hypertextbook, https://physics.info/projectiles/. Accessed 23 Feb 2019.

Scienceclarified. "Real-Life Applications - Gravity And Gravitation - Weight Vs. Mass, F = Ma". Scienceclarified.Com, http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-3-Physics-Vol-1/Gravity-and-Gravitation-Real-life-applications.html. Accessed 23 Feb 2019.

Strobel, Nick. "Gravity Applications". Jb.Man.Ac.Uk, 1999, http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/distance/exploring/course/strobel/gravappl/gravappla.htm. Accessed 23 Feb 2019.