A student measures the time taken for a steel ball bearing to fall a measured distance in air - Edexcel - A-Level Physics - Question 4 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 4
A student measures the time taken for a steel ball bearing to fall a measured distance in air. The student uses these measurements to determine the acceleration due ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student measures the time taken for a steel ball bearing to fall a measured distance in air - Edexcel - A-Level Physics - Question 4 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
A The air flow around the ball bearing should be laminar.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
This condition ensures that the movement of the ball bearing does not experience turbulence that could affect its fall.
Step 2
B The time taken to achieve terminal velocity should be short.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
If this time is long, it could lead the ball bearing to fall at a velocity that is not solely due to gravity.
Step 3
C The ball bearing should begin to fall before the timer is started.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Starting the timer after the ball bearing has begun its fall would result in an inaccurate measurement of the fall time.
Step 4
D Air resistance and upthrust should both be negligible.
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
This is the correct condition to accurately measure the acceleration due to gravity, as it ensures that no forces other than gravity are acting on the ball bearing.
