Experiment 1
KINEMATICS
RANDMAR DAVID M. BALLERAS
KATHLEENE NICOLE D. PEREZ
ANGELICA JANE S. TABING
BS Biochemistry/1st Year/BCH 1-2
Group Number 1
MR. ROLLY O. ORAA
May 15, 2021
Criteria
Excellent
Very Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Developing
Neatness and Organization
6
4
3
2
Cover Page
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3
2
1
Abstract
12
9
6
3
Introduction
8
6
4
2
Procedure
8
6
4
2
Data and Results
4
3
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1
Interpretation of Data and Results
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12
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Conclusion
8
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References
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TOTAL
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ABSTRACT
Kinematics is a branch of physics concerned with the properties of objects in motion. It has two types: free-
fall motion and projectile motion. In each of these, the predominant force acting on the object in motion is
gravity.
The experiment conducted has two parts. Part I aims to verify that the value of acceleration due to gravity is
equal to the theoretical value of 9.8m/s2. Meanwhile, Part II aims to predict the horizontal and vertical
distance of a ball shot at an angle.
For the first part, a Picket Fence was dropped and its free-fall motion was analyzed using an Xplorer GLX.
The necessary variables were then recorded and the acceleration was obtained by manipulating a kinetic
equation. The average result was then compared with the theoretical result. In Part II, a ball was launched
at an angle using a projectile launcher and its initial velocity was measured by the Xplorer GLX. The
resolved components of the velocity measured were then used in a kinematic equation to calculate the
vertical and horizontal displacements of the ball. After obtaining an average value, the results were then
compared with the measured values.
The results of the experiment indicate that acceleration due to gravity is indeed 9.8m/s2 and that the vertical
and horizontal displacements can be reliably predicted using derived kinematic equations.
This signifies that variables which were thought to affect the motion of an object, such as air resistance,
could be disregarded in calculation without adversely affecting the accuracy of calculated values.
INTRODUCTION
Kinematics is a branch of classical mechanics that describes motion of an object. Unlike other branches of
classical mechanics, such as dynamics, objects under study are not dependent on any forces or any
possible sources that can cause motion (Basics of Kinematics, n.d.). It has two main types: free-fall motion
and projectile motion.
In free-fall motion, an object may be thrown upward, dropped from rest, or dropped with an initial velocity.
Regardless, the main force acting on the object being studied is gravity, and oftentimes, air resistance is
ignored. For objects under free-fall, acceleration due to gravity always points downwards, towards the
ground. It has no vertical component. With no other forces acting on the object, such as air resistance, the
theoretical value of the acceleration of the object should be equal to acceleration due to gravity, 9.8ms-2
(Falling Objects, n.d.).
The purpose of the first part of the experiment was to verify whether the acceleration due to gravity is
9.8ms-2 downwards. This was done by dropping a picket fence through photogates connected to a graphing
logger, Xplorer GLX. The velocity of the picket fence was then measured by the graphing logger and its
acceleration, which was assumed to be due to gravity alone, was calculated using an equation derived from
a kinematic equation. After obtaining an average value, the result was compared to the theoretical value.
Similarly, the predominant force acting on an object in projectile motion is gravitational force. However, just
as its name suggests, objects under study are typically launched at an angle (Schnick, 2020). The angle
should not be more than or equal to 90 degrees. The initial velocity at which the object travels can be
resolved into two components, the vertical and horizontal components, which corresponds to the y– and x-
axis respectively. These velocities can then be used to calculate the displacements of the object on the
respective axes among other things. Moreover, it is noteworthy to mention that the two axes are
independent of one another and that each axis has different acceleration and velocity values (Projectile
Motion, n.d.). For instance, the acceleration on the vertical axis is due to gravity. Meanwhile, the object
does not have an acceleration in the horizontal axis when air resistance is not considered.
The purpose of Part II of the experiment was to predict the horizontal and vertical distance of the ball shot
