WORK and ENERGY

PURPOSE:

To study the relationship between work, potential energy, and kinetic energy

MATERIALS:

CBL with motion probe
Pasco cart
Pasco track
Vernier "PHYSICS" suite of programs
TI-83

DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the motion probe to the sonic port on the CBL. Turn on the Vernier PHYSICS program in your TI-83.
2. Set the probes for one motion probe
3. Collect data using the time graph option and the live display option.
4. Enter time between samples as 0.01 and number of samples as 80.
5. Set the graph options on the program as ymin=0, ymax=1, yscl=0.1.

• Place the sonic motion probe at the top of the ramp and place the Pasco cart 35cm. away. (see diagram above ) Release the cart and let it roll down the ramp. Stop the cart at the bottom being careful not to get your hands between the cart and the motion detector as it scans the cart's motion.

• Go to the view graph option in the program. Find and record the time and distance values for the cart at the start and the end of its run.

• Repeat this experiment two more times changing either the mass of the cart or the angle of the ramp. Your data should include the mass of the cart and the angle for each trial. Organize your data in a table format.

CALCULATIONS

Calculate the following values making sure to include formulas with units for all calculations. Make sure your answers reflect the correct number of significant figures.

1. Change in time
2. Distance traveled
3. Average velocity
4. Final velocity (assume constant acceleration)
5. Potential energy at the top of the run (use length of run and Q )
6. Kinetic energy at the end of the run
7. Work done by gravity
8. Percent difference between potential energy at the top and the kinetic energy at the end of the run