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Free Fall With Photocell Gates

Purpose

To measure the acceleration of gravity.

Equipment

Photocell gate timer, cylindrical mass with plastic tube mounted as photographed.

Setup Time

10 min.

Images

c2-04

Description

The gates are set about x = 50 cm apart along the vertical line defined by the guide tube. A short aluminum cylinder is held immediately above the top photocell beam and released. The acceleration of gravity is then detemined using the equation g = 2 x / t**2. ◙

References

(PIRA 1C30.112)