Faron Stout
September 9 2011
Galileo’s Lab By means of a metal ramp and timer, my group (consisting of Carl Romines, Audrey Mannix, Dillon Johns and myself) attempted to recreate Galileo’s experiment of proving that distance traveled under the influence of gravity is equal to the square of the time.
Everyone is aware of the experiment involving the leaning tower of Pisa to demonstrate the properties of gravity, but Galileo also utilized the ramp experiment to prove the hypothesis:
Distance fallen is equal to the square of the time or duration of fall
which happened to be identical to my group’s hypothesis, more or less eloquently put.
Galileo was accredited with the verification of this hypothesis, despite the fact that it was discovered by Nicole Oresme during the 14th century.
Equipment:
- Ramp
- Steel Ball
- Stop Watch
- Meter Stick
- Sense of Humor
Accurate Diagram:
(Dillon Johns not pictured)
Data:
http://amannix.blogspot.com/
Conclusion:
So, it turns out that Galileo was right. Who would have guessed? No one in my AP Physics class I’m sure. So, if Mr. Wright’s intention was to make sure I was never to forget the formula ( d ∝ t 2 ), he may have just succeeded.
Bib’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei
Conclusion:
So, it turns out that Galileo was right. Who would have guessed? No one in my AP Physics class I’m sure. So, if Mr. Wright’s intention was to make sure I was never to forget the formula ( d ∝ t 2 ), he may have just succeeded.
Bib’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei
