Colby Wyatt

Garrett Gale, Ryan Siazon, J.T. Nuttall

April 23, 2015
May The Force Be With You
Beginning Question
What is the mathematical and graphical representation between the mass of gold weights and
the force of gravity?
The relationship between the mass of gold rings and the force of gravity will be a direct
relationship.
Materials

Numerous gold weights of varying mass from 2g to 250g

A Vernier spring scale that measures Newtons
A ring stand capable of holding said spring scale
Hook that attaches onto scale and can hold the weights

Procedure
First, we collected our materials. We assembled the pieces to the ring stand so that it had a
base and could hold the spring scale. After placing the spring scale on the stand to where it
would be steady, we adjusted the tab on top to zero out the scale. Next, we attached the hook to
the scale and took our first measurement for Newtons. Then we placed our first weight on the
hook and took a measurement. We then proceeded to take 8 more measurements, adding an
additional gold weight for each measurement. After inputting the data into our tables, we
transferred the data over into a graph and took the line of best fit. The line of best fit represents
the Force of Gravity equation.
Data, Observation, Calculations
Recorded Data
Mass (kg)

Force (N)

0.05

0.5

0.07

0.7

0.09

0.9

0.14

1.5

0.24

2.5

0.44

4.5

0.94

9.5

1.44

14

1.6

16

1.8

18

Calculated Data
Mass (kg)

Force (N)

0.05

0.5

0.07

0.7

0.09

0.9

0.14

1.4

0.24

2.4

0.44

4.4

0.94

9.4

1.44

14.4

1.6

16

1.8

18

Sample Calculations
Force(N)= Mass(kg) x Gravity (N/kg)
N= 0.05 kg x 10 N/kg
N= 0.5 N
N= 0.44 kg x 10 N/kg
N= 4.4 N
N=1.6 kg x 10 N/kg
N= 16 N

Force (N) vs Mass (Kg)

Recorded Formula:
Force (N)= 9.903 N/kg(x kg) + 0.056 N
Calculated Formula:
Force (N)= 10 N/kg(x kg)
The recorded data is fairly similar to the calculated data, meaning that our observations were
somewhat consistent with what the data calculated through the equation was.
Claims and Evidence
In this lab, we found the Force of Gravity Equation, also known as the Weight Equation

Fgravity=Mass(kg) x Gravity of Earth(N/kg)

Fgravity is the amount of Force in Newtons
Mass is the amount of mass the object has in Kilograms
Gravity of Earth is 10 Newtons/ Kilograms
We discovered the equation when we graphed our data and saw that the line of best fit was
close to the Force of Gravity Equation.
Because of the graphs equations relativity to the final equation, we made the assumption that it
related to the theory and made it so our calculations reflected the theory.

Errors and Improvements

One error we found while doing this lab was that the mass posted on the weights was not exact,
and could have been off by a couple of grams, which had little effect to the overall force and
mass, but makes it not the exact measure. The other error we found was that the ring stand we
had didnt screw into the base we had, which could have caused problems when zeroing the
scale out. To improve on these errors, we could have measured the mass of each of the weights
using a scale that measures in grams, and finding another ring stand or base that would fit so
that the scale could be perfectly zeroed.
Readings and Reflections
My idea of the relationship between force of gravity and mass changed throughout the lab and
through readings. I did not know that the force of gravity was the mass of an object times 10
(the Earths gravity) until finding the Force of Gravity theory. Along with that I was unsure if the
relationship between the two would be linear until graphing the data. In the reading, I found that
the force of gravity interferes when an object goes upwards and comes back down to Earth. As
the object goes upwards, the force of gravity is responsible for its slowing down, as it is for
speeding it up as that object returns to Earth. The acceleration the object experiences while off
of Earths surface is called the acceleration of gravity. Its only when the only force being acted
upon the force is the force of gravity. This information changed my perspective of how the force
of gravity impacts an object and its acceleration.
Works Cited
Gravity is More Than a Name. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/Lesson-3/Gravity-is-More-Than-a-Name