Calculating Average Acceleration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating average acceleration and whether to include a value of zero in the calculation. It is clarified that zero should be included in the average if it represents a valid measurement. However, when calculating average acceleration for gravity, zero should be excluded if it corresponds to a state where the object was held still before being dropped. This distinction is important for obtaining a more accurate average that reflects the true value of gravitational acceleration. The conversation emphasizes understanding the context of the data when performing calculations.
rachelle
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Hi, this may seem like a silly question, but I'm gunna ask it anyway...

I have the ff. data for acceleration:

0 　
9.152
8.43
9.07
7.731
10.423

When I calculate the average acceleration, would it be the sum divided by 6 or would it be the sum divided by 5? That is, should I include the "0" in calculating my average?

Thanks in advance~
 
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rachelle said:
... That is, should I include the "0" in calculating my average?

Since 0 is a value as any other one, you must include it.
 
Thanks!

~rachelle
 
Hmm.. sorry, follow-up question...

What if I'm calculating my average acceleration for gravity, do I need to include the "0" then?

It's just that when I didn't include the "0" on my calculations, it was nearer the true value of "g" (9.81)
But when I included zero in calculating my average, it was a little far off...

ps: I'm doing my lab on calculating "g" free-falling object
 
rachelle said:
Hmm.. sorry, follow-up question...

What if I'm calculating my average acceleration for gravity, do I need to include the "0" then?

It's just that when I didn't include the "0" on my calculations, it was nearer the true value of "g" (9.81)
But when I included zero in calculating my average, it was a little far off...

ps: I'm doing my lab on calculating "g" free-falling object

Hm, in that case, if 0 is the value that was attained while the object was being held (which is obvious), then you shouldn't include it. (Unless I'm missing something.)
 
Oh sorry, I guess you are right! Actually, the Time column shows "0" but the Acceleration column shows blank (so was the Velocity & Distance columns for the first row). I just assumed initial Acceleration will be 0 and include it on calculating the average acceleration, when in fact like you said it shouldn't be included because the object was being held initially, before I dropped it.

Gah.. I feel stupid! Thanks for your help :)
 

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