Can You Determine the Mass of an Object from Free Fall Acceleration Data?

AI Thread Summary
Free fall acceleration experiments measure the time it takes for an object to fall from a height, allowing the calculation of gravitational acceleration (g) using the equation y = 1/2g(t^2). The question raised is whether the mass of the object can be determined from this data. It is clarified that while the force of gravity can be calculated using F = m * g, the mass cannot be determined solely from free fall acceleration data, as the acceleration due to gravity is constant and independent of mass. Understanding Galileo's experiments can provide further insight into the relationship between mass and gravitational acceleration. Ultimately, mass cannot be derived from free fall acceleration alone.
dementor92337
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Homework Statement


Hi, I'm new here, and this may be a stupid question, but please bear with me. In my school, we had a lab where we measured the free fall acceleration. First we dropped a ball off a certain height and timed how long it took to reach the bottom. Then we used the equation:

y = v1t + 1/2a(t^2)

Note: v1 = 0 because we just dropped it, its initial velocity was 0. Also, the acceleration is "g". So the equation became:

y = 1/2g(t^2)

So we graphed y vs (t^2) and used the slope to find the value of "g".

My question is, using the information I told you, is it possible to find the mass of the object? If so, how?

I'm thanking you for your help in advance!

Homework Statement


Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



What i thought of doing was somehow calculating the value of the force of gravity and then use the formula:

F = m * g

and then just solve for m, but i don't know how that is applicable here.
 
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Welcome to PF.

You might want to read up on Galileo's experiments in gravity.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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