Calculating Gravitational Acceleration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the gravitational acceleration of a ball dropped from a height of 3 meters, using given parameters such as weight, time, and height. Participants explore the application of the kinematic equation for free fall and the implications of their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to calculate the acceleration of a ball dropped from a height, providing its weight, time, and height.
  • Another participant states the kinematic equation d = (0.5)gt², emphasizing that mass does not affect the acceleration due to gravity.
  • A third participant asserts that the acceleration of an object dropped at Earth's surface is a constant, approximately 9.81 m/s².
  • One participant attempts to apply the kinematic equation but expresses uncertainty about their calculations, particularly regarding the time conversion from milliseconds to seconds.
  • Another participant points out the error in time conversion, suggesting that the time recorded was likely in the range of 670-700 milliseconds, not 67 milliseconds, and questions the feasibility of falling 3 meters in such a short time.
  • A participant clarifies their method of measuring time using a digital camera and software, asserting the measurement is accurate within the 60-70 millisecond range.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the accuracy of the time measurement and the feasibility of the ball falling 3 meters in 67 milliseconds. There is no consensus on the validity of the recorded time or the resulting calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the assumptions regarding the accuracy of the time measurement and the implications of using the kinematic equation under the stated conditions.

nobodyuknow
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I'm not 100% if I had worded the title correctly, but I was wondering how to calculate the acceleration of a ball dropping at height.

I have it's weight, time and height.
0.45kg
67 milliseconds
3m height
 
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[tex]d=(.5)gt^2[/tex]d=distance
t=time
g= acceleration due to gravity
and I'm sure you know that mass doesn't matter
 
The original equation was about calculating the acceleration. For an object, like a ball, dropped at the Earth's surface, the acceleration is that constant, g, approximately 9.81 m/s2, in cragar's post.
 
That's what I was thinking. But it dropped from a height of 3m in 67 milliseconds. I did the above equation:

d = (0.5)gt^2
g = 9.8
t = 0.67

Therefore,

0.5 x 9.8 x 0.67 x 0.67 should equate to 3 - or am I mistaken and/or made some errors?
 
nobodyuknow said:
That's what I was thinking. But it dropped from a height of 3m in 67 milliseconds. I did the above equation:

d = (0.5)gt^2
g = 9.8
t = 0.67

Therefore,

0.5 x 9.8 x 0.67 x 0.67 should equate to 3 - or am I mistaken and/or made some errors?
67ms = 0.067s not 0.67
And how did you measure the time? You should repeat the experiment several times and see how big is the error.
 
It was recorded on a Digital Camera and I viewed it through Windows Movie Maker. I watched it again several times it's definitely within the 60 - 70 millisecond range.
 
You mean 670-700 millisecond range.1 millisecond = 1/1000 of a second. There's no way that it fell 3 meters in 67 milliseconds, at least not on earth.
 

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