How to Calculate the Speed of Gravity
- 1). Measure the length of the pendulum using a measuring stick. For example, the length of the pendulum is 3 meters.
- 2). Start the pendulum swinging.
- 3). Measure the amount of time it takes the pendulum to swing from one side to the other and back once using a stopwatch. For example, the pendulum takes 3.46 seconds to swing forward and back once.
- 4). Multiply the length of the pendulum by 4pi^2 using a calculator. Pi is equal to approximately 3.1415. For example, 3 x 4pi^2 = 118.435.
- 5). Divide your answer by the period of the pendulum's swing squared. For example, 118.435/(3.462^2) = 9.88. The acceleration of gravity is 9.88 meters per second squared.
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