Free Fall Simulation

Theoretical Background / Context

If a body of mass m is accelerated from the state of rest in a constant gravitational field (falling freely) from height y towards the earth’s surface it performs a linear motion. The instant when the ball is released is considered to be the initial time t = 0. The position of the ball along the ruler is described by the variable y. The position of the ball at a time t is given by

                                              y(t) = y0 + v0t + ½ gt2                                                        (1)

If the ball is released from rest, the initial velocity is zero: v0 = 0.

Therefore,

                                                        y(t) = ½ gt2                                                                   (2)

The quantity that tells us how fast an object is moving anywhere along its path is the instantaneous velocity, usually called simply velocity. It is the average velocity between two points on the path in the limit that the time (and therefore the displacement) between the two events approaches zero. We can calculate the instantaneous velocity at a specific time where the initial velocity v0=0 by Newton’s law for constant acceleration motion;  

                                                          Vf2= V02 + 2gy                                  (3)

Principle of Work

• In the physics free fall lab, relating the fall time of a body to the height it has fallen from it, will enable us to find the acceleration due gravity.
• The protocols for conducting a free fall motion experiment can vary depending on the specific setup and equipment used.
• At this free fall virtual lab, the protocol involves setting up the equipment, including a stable rod stand with a ruler.
• In the free fall simulation, with a steel ball and photogate sensors may be positioned along the fall path. The digital timer is connected and started at the moment of object release. Time measurements are recorded, and the distance traveled by the object is measured using the ruler. 
• In the free fall simulator online, The data is analyzed to calculate the acceleration due to gravity and validate Newton's 2nd Law.