The point of this lab is to create and calibrate a method for dropping a "rock" to measure the height of an object. So now it is time to go test your methodology. All answers to this skills validation must be written up as part of your word processed lab report.
1) On the west side of Modoc Hall (Social Science) is an exterior stairwell which comes up from the access road. The last landing before the stairs reach the upper floor of Modoc hangs out over an unoccupied space. Your task is use your calibrated "rock" to measure the height of the top of the metal railing from the packed snow below. If the snow isn't packed please do so:)
2) Time the flight of your rock enough times that you have a clear sense of the variability of your data. Don't get carried away but this is going to take more than 3 tries. If your "rock" moves upward due to wind you may reject that data point. The variability is the ratio of the standard deviation of your data to the mean. You may determine the standard deviation by any means you prefer but if it doesn't seem consistent with our rough and ready method from the first lab be sure to explain the difference.
3) Based on your data and your model of the "rock's" behavior calculate the height of the railing. No it won't be perfect but that is not the point. Your goal is to determine the height of the railing in a manner which is most consistent with the data and your model.
4) Within what range of heights am I confident of finding the actual height of the railing 2 out of 3 times. (Can you say standard deviation ?) Comment on whether this seems realistic to you and why or why not.