Name: Mohammed Chowdhury
ID:2015001854
Course number: Phy111 Lab
Lab section: 2
Exp. (7)
Conservation of Energy
Date: 09/05/2016
Objective
To ensure the law of conservation of energy.
Introduction
The aim of the experiment is to develop the relationship between kinetic energy and
potential energy for a falling object. In order to execute this experiment student must know to
use motion sensors to measure the motion of a ball as it rolls away from the sensor. Moreover,
students will compare the sum of kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy at the
beginning and at the near end of the fall.
Reference
Giancoli. Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd Edition: Chapter 3, sections 7-8
Theory
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Gravitational potential energy is the energy of an
object due to its vertical position relative to a reference point (such as the surface of the Earth).
When an object is lifted a certain vertical distance, it gains gravitational potential energy. How
much it has depends on its weight (mg) and the vertical distance. As the object falls, the
gravitational potential decreases.
gpe=mgh
Where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height
When an object moves, it has kinetic energy. The amount it has depends on how much mass it
has and how fast it moves. As the object falls, the kinetic energy increases because the speed
increases.
1
ke= m v 2
2
Where m is the mass and v is the speed.
Setup
1. Set up the PASCO Interface and computer and start DataStudio.
2. Connect the Motion Sensor to the interface.
3. Open the DataStudio file: 25 Discover Energy.ds
4. The DataStudio file has several Graph displays: “Two Energies versus Time” (GPE and KE),
“Total Energy versus Time”, and “Energy #1 versus Energy #2” (GPE versus KE). The file also
has several calculations: Energy G (for GPE), Energy K (for KE), and Sum of Energy (total
energy). Data recording is set at 50 Hz for the Motion. Recording stops automatically was the
ball reaches the ground.
5. Support the Motion Sensor at 1.5m above the ground using the base/support rod, multi clamp,
and a horizontal rod (see photo below).
6. Rotate the sensor so that it is facing straight down and set the range switch on the sensor to
‘FAR’ (person)
Procedure
NOTE: The procedure is easier if one person drops the ball and a second person handles the
computer.
1. Hold the ball 15 cm directly below the Motion Sensor.
2. Click ‘Start’. Release the ball so it falls straight down. Data recording stops automatically
when the ball reaches the ground.
3. Repeat the procedure two more times.
The next section tells you how to analyze your data.
Data Table
Data collection (tables):
M= 0.007 kg
Height Potentail E. Time Velocity K.E Total energy
(y) m (t) s (2y/t) 1 (K+U) Jol
(U = mgy) Jol K= mv 2
m/s 2
Jol
1.00 0.0686 0.456 4.386 0.067 (1.0,0.0): 0.067 + 0.000 = 0.067
0.9 0.06174 0.434 4.147 0.060 (0.9,0.1): 0.060 + 0.00686 = 0.067
0.8 0.05488 0.409 3.912 0.053 (0.8,0.2): 0.0530 + 0.01372 = 0.067
0.7 0.04802 0.384 3.645 0.046 (0.7,0.3): 0.046 + 0.02058 = 0.067
0.6 0.04116 0.354 3.389 0.040 (0.6,0.4): 0.040 + 0.02741 = 0.067
0.5 0.0343 0.325 3.076 0.033 (0.5,0.5): 0.033 + 0.0343 = 0.067
0.4 0.02741 0.290 2.758 0.027 (0.4,0.6): 0.027 + 0.04116 = 0.068
0.3 0.02058 0.254 2.362 0.019 (0.3,0.7): 0.019 + 0.04802 = 0.067
0.2 0.01372 0.208 1.923 0.0129 (0.2,0.8): 0.0129 + 0.05488 = 0.068
0.1 0.00686 0.15 1.33 0.0062 (0.1,0.9): 0.0062 + 0.0686 = 0.068
0.0 0 0 0 0 (0.0,1.0): 0+ 0.0686 = 0.068
Data Analysis and graphing (Calculations and Discussion of the
Results):
Graph:
Conserv of E (J)
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
Energy (J)
0.04
U
0.03 (increase)
0.02 K
0.01 (decrease)
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
High (m)
Conclusion
There is a slight percentage error. The reasons for it is air resistance, poor calibration, or
rounding values. Ignoring such minor factor, the experiment was successful. Using sensors and
electronic devices gives more precise results and values. Therefore the objective of the
experiment was fulfilled.
