In an experiment to measure the acceleration due to gravity, the time t for an object to fall from rest through a distance s was measured - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 1 - 2009

The distance s is the perpendicular distance measured from the bottom of the ball at the release point to the top of the pressure plate.

The time interval t was measured using a timer. The timer begins counting when the ball is released from the release mechanism and stops when the ball impacts the pressure plate or trap door.

1. Calculate the square of the time (t²) for each recorded time and produce a table.
2. On the graph, plot distance s (y-axis) against time squared (t², x-axis).
3. Fit a straight line to the data points to determine the slope.
4. The equation of motion states that the distance is proportional to time squared: $s = \frac{1}{2} g t^2$. Thus, the slope of the graph $= \frac{g}{2}$. Therefore, from the slope, we can calculate $g = 2 \times \text{slope}$. For example, if the slope is 5.02, then $g = 2 \times 5.02 \approx 10.04 ext{ m/s}^2$.

1. Use a small or smooth object to reduce drag while falling.
2. Conduct the experiment in a vacuum to eliminate air resistance completely.
3. Ensure the distance is relatively short and the object is heavy, dense, or aerodynamically shaped.