Conservation of Energy
Cheryce Smith
PHY 211
Lab #7
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to calculate the gravitational potential energy through experimental values, to calculate the theoretical potential energy given the experimental kinetic energy in an isolated system while also using the kinetic energy to find the spring constant, and to compare kinetic energies and potential energies in an isolated system to see if they are equivalent.
METHOD
To calculate the gravitational potential energy through experimental values, we dropped a racquetball from a height of one meter and measured the height at which the ball bounced back up from the ground. These values were used to find the total mechanical energy that was lost. In order to calculate the theoretical potential energy of an object, we shot a “superball” from a ballistic launcher at three different settings and measured the height the ball traveled as well as the velocity of the ball when it left the launcher. Using the values of the velocities at different settings and measuring the different distances the spring was compressed, we calculated the spring constant of the spring inside the ballistic launcher. Finally, to compare the potential and kinetic energies within an isolated system, we pushed an air-cart along a frictionless air-track and measured the velocity and vertical distance traveled. We used these values to calculate the potential and kinetic energies and see if these calculations fell within the range of uncertainty.
DATA
Part A: Gravitational Potential Energy
Mass of racquetball: 0.0392 kg
Height at Bounce-Back (m) 0.73 | 0.75 | 0.735 | 0.75 | 0.745 |
Average Height at Bounce-Back: 0.742 m
Formula needed to find Initial Potential Energy:
U=mgh
Given mass is .0392 kg, and gravitational acceleration is 9.81 m/s2, and the height at which the ball was located preceding release was 1 m, we can solve to find the initial potential energy
PHY 211
Lab #7
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to calculate the gravitational potential energy through experimental values, to calculate the theoretical potential energy given the experimental kinetic energy in an isolated system while also using the kinetic energy to find the spring constant, and to compare kinetic energies and potential energies in an isolated system to see if they are equivalent.
METHOD
To calculate the gravitational potential energy through experimental values, we dropped a racquetball from a height of one meter and measured the height at which the ball bounced back up from the ground. These values were used to find the total mechanical energy that was lost. In order to calculate the theoretical potential energy of an object, we shot a “superball” from a ballistic launcher at three different settings and measured the height the ball traveled as well as the velocity of the ball when it left the launcher. Using the values of the velocities at different settings and measuring the different distances the spring was compressed, we calculated the spring constant of the spring inside the ballistic launcher. Finally, to compare the potential and kinetic energies within an isolated system, we pushed an air-cart along a frictionless air-track and measured the velocity and vertical distance traveled. We used these values to calculate the potential and kinetic energies and see if these calculations fell within the range of uncertainty.
DATA
Part A: Gravitational Potential Energy
Mass of racquetball: 0.0392 kg
Height at Bounce-Back (m) 0.73 | 0.75 | 0.735 | 0.75 | 0.745 |
Average Height at Bounce-Back: 0.742 m
Formula needed to find Initial Potential Energy:
U=mgh
Given mass is .0392 kg, and gravitational acceleration is 9.81 m/s2, and the height at which the ball was located preceding release was 1 m, we can solve to find the initial potential energy