In this lab, students first use the free fall equation to calculate the theoretical time for a ball to fall from four different heights. Second, they do an experiment and record the actual time to fall. Third, they calculate the percent error between the two times. It is designed as an introduction to the free fall equation and provides a common experience for the teacher to expand upon. It also serves as a method for calculating percent error.

Materials needed:

2 metersticks

1 ball

1 stopwatch (or cell phone stopwatch)

1 calculator