# Acceleration Due to gravity

1. Nov 16, 2003

### mattmate

I need to prove the folowing statement. Can someone please help me as i am having trouble working out the formula needed to determine a value for acceleration. (This has to be proved as simply as possible, using things easily measured, ie Mass, time etc...

Thanx
matt

2. Nov 16, 2003

### Integral

Staff Emeritus
Gravitational force is given by

$$F= \frac {GM_em} {r^2}$$

Where
$$M_e=$$ the mass of the earth
$$m=$$ the mass of some object
$$r=$$ radius of the earth
$$G=$$ The Gravitational constant.

Newtons law

$$F= ma$$

Use these two relationships to get an expression for the acceleration due to gravity.

I am guessing that this is what you are asking for. Your question statement leaves a lot to be desired. It simply is not clear what you are asking.

Last edited: Nov 16, 2003
3. Nov 16, 2003

### mattmate

The question i need to answer is:
"Gather infomation using a wide variety of sources and carry out a simple first hand investigation to determine a value for acceleration due to gravity. Present this by:
1)Including labeled diagram
2)Showing a sample of simple calculations used
3)Identifying Independant, Dependant and constant variables"

The experiment i chose to perform is to drop a small ball froma height of 2meters. I time this, and then i was hoping to be able to answer the above question via this experiment

Thanx
Matt

4. Nov 16, 2003

### Integral

Staff Emeritus