Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 2 - Kinematics in One Dimension - Exercises and Problems - Page 67: 70

Answer

$g\approx 7.5\;\rm m/s^2$

Work Step by Step

First of all, we need to use the kinematic formula of vertical displacement. $$y_f-y_i=v_{iy}t+\frac{1}{2}a_yt^2$$ The initial velocity is always zero since the ball will be released from rest. Also, the final position $y_f=0$ since it hits the ground each time. The acceleration here is the free-fall acceleration of planet X. Thus, $$ -y_i=-\frac{1}{2}gt^2$$ Let's take the initial height $h$ rather than $y_i$. $$h= \frac{g}{2}t^2$$ Now we can draw the height as a function of time squared $t^2$. Recall the equation of the linear line $$y=mx+b$$ whereas $m$ is the slope of the line and $b$ is the constant that intercepts the $y$-axis. And in our case, $y=h$, $m=\dfrac{g}{2}$, $b=0$, and $x=t^2$ Now we need to plug the given data into a graph in which the time column had to be squared, as we see below. We have now a linear relation between $h$ and $t^2$. Now we can find the slope of the best fit line to find the free-fall acceleration of planet X. From the graph below, $${\rm Slope}=\dfrac{5.44-0}{1.46-0}=\dfrac{g}{2}=3.73$$ Thus, $$g=\color{red}{\bf 7.45}\;\rm m/s^2$$
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