What is the equation for calculating acceleration due to gravity?

[paultt]

im having trouble finding the equation for finding "g" calculating the acceleration due to gravity. I am doing a lab consisting of a air table and a puck attached to a weight, the weight falls pulling the puck horizontally across the air table.

 

[FunkyDwarf]

well there are two ways. firstly if you find the kenetic energy of the puck as the weight moves a certain distance then equate that to the potential loss of the weight (mgh) you can find g. Or you could simply find the accel of the puck and that would equal accel due to gravity (assuming frictionless pully)

 

[Doc Al]

Is the purpose of the lab to measure "g"? If so, consider the forces on both objects and apply Newton's 2nd law to each. You'll be able to solve for "g" in terms of the acceleration of the pucks, which I assume you are measuring. (The acceleration of the puck will not equal "g".)

 

[FunkyDwarf]

yeh sorry it wont, the force will however and you, as you said, use Newtons 2nd law. meant force, really i did :P