Question

For the Ball Drop 2 experiment, observe the graph of the vertical displacement of the small ball against time (y vs. t). What can you say about thevertical displacement of the small ball? What graph shape is this? What does this shape tell you about the mathematical relationship between yand t?Now check your hypothesis by investigating two Tracker videos: Ball Drop and Large Ball Drop.

Answer 1

Notice that the graph of the vertical position of the small ball over time is a straight line. Then, the mathematical expression that represents the graph must be a linear equation:

$y=y_0-vt_{}$

Therefore, a possible answer is:

The vertical displacement of the small ball is a uniform rectilinear motion. The graph is shaped like a straight line and that shape tells us that the mathematical relationship between y and t is a linear equation.