ODU : Gravitation

Question 1

Describe an experiment to measure the acceleration of a falling object

Answer 1

Measurments:

• Length of mask L (of falling object) (in metres)
• Time to cut first gate t1 (in seconds)
• Time between light gates t2 (in seconds)
• Time to cut second light gate t3 (in seconds)

Method:

• Determine inital velocity u, using L and t1
• Determine final velocity v, using I and t3
• Determine the acceleration using v=u+at2

Question 2

Know that satelites are in free fall around a star/planet

Answer 2

An object projected at exactly the right speed never hits the ground because the Earth is curved, so it remains in freefall in orbit. It doesnt fly off into space because of the pull of gravity causing an acceleraion towards the earth.