This diagram shows an arrangement used to measure the acceleration of a metal plate as it falls vertically.

The metal plate is released from rest and falls a distance of 0.200 m before breaking light beam 1. It then falls a further 0.250 m before breaking light beam 2.
a. Calculate the time taken for the plate to fall 0.200 m from rest. (You may assume that the metal plate falls with an acceleration equal to the acceleration of free fall.)
b. The timer measures the speed of the metal plate as it falls through each light beam. The speed as it falls through light beam 1 is 1.92 m s⁻¹ and the speed as it falls through light beam 2 is 2.91 m s⁻¹.
i. Calculate the acceleration of the plate between the two light beams.
ii. State and explain one reason why the acceleration of the plate is not equal to the acceleration of free fall.

Transcribed Image Text:

metal plate 0.200 m light beam 1 0.250 m timer light beam 2 Figure 2.36