Yeu Pyng Hwu, "Conservation of Mechanical Energy", TPT, Vol.Ivash, "The Falling Elevator Problem", TPT, Vol. 308, also A Potpourri of Physics Teaching Ideas - Mechanics, p. Edge, "The Spin on Baseballs or Golfballs", TPT, Vol. Greenslade.Jr., "Morin's Free-Fall Apparatus", TPT, Vol. Mattson, "Is g the Same for All Bodies?", TPT, Vol. Weichman, "A Mountaineering Accident", TPT, Vol.
Eddy, "Simple Free Fall Apparatus", TPT, Vol. Paul Hewitt, "Figuring Physics", TPT, Vol.Sherfinski, "Acceleration from the Energy Function Derivative", TPT, Vol. Ian Wereley, "Galileo's Argument on Free Fall", TPT, Vol.Fritz Schoch and Walter Winiger, "Free-Fall Measurement with a Solenoid as Starting Device", TPT, Vol.Bill Crummett, "Measurements of Acceleration Due to Gravity", TPT, Vol.Boedeker, "Gravitation as an Early Example of Correspondence", TPT, Vol. Walter Connolly and John Olson, "An Easier Way to Measure g with a Spark Timer", TPT, Vol.Ivey, "Gravity in the Real World", TPT, Vol. Dodge, "Fluid Resistance and Terminal Velocity", TPT, Vol. Robert Erlich and Mary Lynn Hutchison, "Random and Systematic Errors in Timing the Fall of a Coin", TPT, Vol.John Childs, "A Quick Determination of g Using Photogates", TPT, Vol.Thomas Damon, "A Slight Correction in g", TPT, Vol.Peter Hinrichsen, "Correcting the Correction", TPT, Vol.William DeBuvitz, "A Timing Sensor for the Atwood Machine", TPT, Vol.David Kagan and Alan Kott, "The Greater-Than-g Acceleration of a Bungee Jumper", TPT, Vol.Greenslade, "Trowbridge's Method of Finding the Acceleration Due to Gravity", TPT, Vol. van den Berg, "Force Exerted by a Falling Chain", TPT, Vol. David Kagan, "The Annual Pumpkin Drop", TPT, Vol.
Pirooz Mohazzabi, "Comments on 'Why Do We Feel Weightless in Free Fall?'", TPT, Vol.Paul Hewitt, "Figuring Physics: Falling Apple", TPT, Vol.
González-Espada, "Calculating g from Accoustic Doppler Data", TPT, Vol. Takai, "Measurement of g Using a Flashing LED", TPT, Vol. Otranto, "A Measurement of g Using Alexander's Diving Bell", TPT, Vol.
Also, objects are dropped in pairs so that you can see their simultaneous fall. The entire 7 story drop is viewed so that you can make measurements if desired. The video tape shows a variety of objects being thrown off the roof of Van Allen Hall. Place a foam pad under the Photogate to prevent damage to the picket fence. needs to be carefully leveled to insure that the weight will fall at the proper distance from the wire so that good sparking is achieved.Inserting a switch between the power supply and magnet will make it easier to turn of the magnet and allow the weight to fall.Īnother way to quickly do a measurement of "g" is to drop one of the picket fences through a Photogate. Measurement can also be made by using an inclined Air track and timing the cars through a known distance. The screws in the switch pad need to be tightened periodically to insure a good electrical contact. For ease of measurement the distance between the ball bearing when it is suspended in the electromagnet and the switch pad should be 1 meter. Hookup is as shown using the appropriate adapters.