What affects how fast an object falls?

So when an object is dropped from a higher height, there is more potential energy, which is turned into more speed (velocity).

Below are our predicted results and how we found them.

To find each speed we use the equation Mass x Gravity x Height = M x V2 ÷ 2

So for the first height of 20cm we do the equation of:-

0.1 x 10 x 0.2 = (1 x V2) ÷ 2

1. x 10 x 0.2 x 2) ÷ 1= V2

V2 = 40

V = 4

We then did the same as above for all of the other heights, to give us the velocity. Below is a table of all the predicted results.

Fair Test

To make the experiment a fair test, we will do the following:-

• Use the same 100 gram weight
• Use the same ticker timer.
• Use the same amount of sellotape

Apparatus

The following apparatus is going to be used:-

• Ticker timer
• Wires
• Carbon paper
• 100gram weight
• sellotape
• Power pack
• Metre ruler
• Calculator

Method

1. We first set out all the equipment required for the experiment.
2. We made sure that there was enough paper running through the ticker timer.
3. We then stuck the 100gram weight on to the paper with the sellotape.
4. When everything was ready we dropped the weight from the following heights:-

• 20cm
• 40cm
• 60cm
• 80cm
• 1 metre

5. Once we had all the results we recorded them.

Accuracy

To make the test accurate, we used a meter ruler to measure the height from which the object would be dropped. We also used a 30cm ruler to measure the dots on the paper from the ticker timer.

Results

Below are our proper results from the experiment.

As you can see, by comparing our predicted results to out proper results we did get the prediction for 20cm correct. For the other four heights we were not too far off.

Conclusion

From this investigation I have found out that when an object is dropped from a higher height, then the object will travel faster. This is because when the object is dropped from a higher height there is more potential energy. This energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is created by velocity (speed). So the higher the height the more potential energy, which then converts into more velocity.

Evaluation

I think that our investigation went well. We worked out how to predict the speed of an object being dropped, and one of our predictions was actually correct. The other four predictions were all within 0.80 cm/s off the actual result.

Overall I think out investigation was successful, and we had a good, reliable set of results.