Final answer:
Experimental acceleration might differ from the expected 9.8 m/s² due to air resistance, measurement inaccuracies, and experimental setup issues. Improving accuracy involves refining the experimental setup and using more precise instruments.
Step-by-step explanation:
When conducting an experiment to find the acceleration due to gravity at your location, achieving an acceleration of precisely 9.8 m/s² can be challenging. If your experimental acceleration does not match the acceleration due to gravity of 9.8 m/s², several factors could be contributing to this discrepancy. The most common reasons for error might include air resistance, measurement inaccuracies, and experimental setup flaws.
One key factor to consider is that air resistance plays a significant role in preventing the acceleration of falling objects from reaching 9.8 m/s². Even the slightest air resistance can slow down a falling object, resulting in a measured acceleration that's less than the expected. Additionally, measurement inaccuracies, such as errors in timing or distance measurement, can also skew the results.
Improving the accuracy of your findings may involve refining your experimental setup. This could mean using more precise measuring instruments, minimizing air resistance, or adjusting the procedure to reduce human error. Keep in mind that acceleration due to gravity can differ slightly based on your altitude, but for the majority of experiments near the Earth's surface, constant acceleration can be assumed and is a critical concept in physics.