Author(s)

Muhammad Shoaib¹, Asad Muhammad Iqbal^2*, Muhammad Arham Imran¹

¹Department of Mechatronics Engineering, CEME, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
²DBS&H, CEME, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.

In this study, a simple Arduino-based experiment was designed to examine the acceleration of the object during free fall and to calculate the value of “g” (acceleration due to gravity). Experimental data on the free fall of a plastic box through the air was gathered with the help of an ultrasonic distance sensor (HC-SR04). Readings were taken at different intervals during the fall to obtain distance time curves. Acceleration during the free fall was then determined by applying the standard kinematic equations. The shape of the distance-time graphs obtained from the experimental setup was in good agreement with the predicted graphs and the calculated values of g lie within the expected range. After repeated experiments, value of gravitational acceleration was found to be 9.805 m/s2. Hardware and software prepared for the experiment are sufficient to examine movement of ordinary objects during free fall, therefore the experiment can be easily settled in a laboratory for the purpose of learning and teaching.

Arduino, Acceleration Due to Gravity, Basic Physics Experiment

Shoaib, M. , Iqbal, A. and Imran, M. (2021) Measurement of Acceleration Due to Gravity Using Arduino and Ultrasonic Sensor. Journal of Sensor Technology, 11, 55-63. doi: 10.4236/jst.2021.114004.