Small error in calculating the value of g with an Atwood machine

[Ellio]

Homework Statement

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Relevant Equations

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Hello, I hope you are very well !

I have a physics practical test where I have to find the gravitational acceleration with the Atwood machine:

I've found 9.27 m/s² and have to say what could have caused this slight gap. They say that there is no friction in this experiment.

I can't really manage to find any (the time has by the way been measured with an ultra slow mo camera...).

If you could help me I would be very thankful!

 

[fresh_42]

Apart from the fact that frictionless doesn't exist in real life, what do you think might have been responsible? And how long was the rope? How was the acceleration measured?

 

[berkeman]

I've found 9.27 m/s² and have to say what could have caused this slight gap. They say that there is no friction in this experiment.

I think investigating the effects of friction would be a good start. Can you post the relevant equations for friction in this experiment, and deduce whether including the forces of friction would give you a higher or lower value for the gravitational acceleration constant g? Can you think about any other forces that might have been present? How fast did the weights end up going?

 

[haruspex]

You are looking for an error of 5.5%. If we are to help you will need to post full details of the set-up, the process, the data collected, and your calculation.