PURPOSE: To experimentally determine the acceleration of gravity.
DESCRIPTION: One end of the air track is elevated at an angle a so that the glider will accelerate down the slope with some component of the acceleration of gravity. This component is determined experimentally by measuring the velocity v of the glider after it has accelerated a fixed distance S down the track. The angle a is determined from the amount the track is raised and the distance between the two support feet. The acceleration of gravity is then:
g =v**2 /2 S sin a.
SUGGESTIONS: Set timer gate above lower air track feet so you have space to catch the glider before it hits the end.
REFERENCES: (PIRA 1C20.30)
EQUIPMENT: Air track with glider and photocell gate timer.
SETUP TIME: 5 min.
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