Conservation of Energy Physics Lab

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Questions and Answers

What should be recorded in the data table after stopping the stopwatch?

  • The height of the ramp
  • The time taken to reach the second piece of tape (correct)
  • The distance marked on the ramp
  • The mass of the car

What does the conservation of energy principle state?

  • Energy can be created and destroyed.
  • Energy can only be created through motion.
  • Energy exists in a fixed amount and cannot change form.
  • Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed. (correct)

How is gravitational potential energy (GPE) calculated?

  • GPE = mgh (correct)
  • GPE = mv^2
  • GPE = 1/2 mv^2
  • GPE = mg + h

How do you find the average time from your trials?

<p>Divide the sum of all times by the number of trials (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor does NOT affect an object's gravitational potential energy?

<p>Speed of the object (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What equation is used to calculate the speed of the car at the bottom of the ramp?

<p>Speed = distance divided by time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome when calculating kinetic energy with regards to gravitational potential energy?

<p>Kinetic energy should be less than gravitational potential energy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which equation represents kinetic energy?

<p>KE = 1/2 mv^2 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What materials are required to construct the ramp for the lab experiment?

<p>A plank of wood and a stack of books (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the value of 'g' used in gravitational potential energy calculations on Earth?

<p>9.8 m/s² (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of the physics lab procedure?

<p>Cook the toy car to ensure it's light. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy is converted into heat due to friction during the experiment?

<p>Kinetic energy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of repeating the experiment multiple times?

<p>To ensure accuracy by averaging the results (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does increasing the height of the ramp have on the potential energy of the toy car?

<p>It increases the potential energy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the formula for gravitational potential energy, what is the standard acceleration due to gravity on Earth?

<p>9.8 m/s² (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Conservation of Energy

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, it only changes forms.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy stored in an object due to its height above a reference point.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion, dependent on speed and mass.

GPE equation

GPE = mgh (mass * gravity * height).

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KE equation

KE = (1/2)mv^2 (half the mass times velocity squared).

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Ramp Lab

Experiment investigating conservation of energy using an inclined plane.

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Physics Lab setup

Creating a ramp, measuring starting and end points, timing car's movement, and measuring height, distance

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Energy Transformation

The conversion of one form of energy to another.

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Measure car speed

Calculate speed using distance and time; speed = distance / time

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Calculate Kinetic Energy

Find the energy of motion using speed and mass; KE = 0.5 * mass * speed²

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Calculate Gravitational Potential Energy

Find energy due to height; GPE = mass * gravity * height

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Energy Lost (Friction)

Difference between GPE and KE, energy converted to heat.

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Average Trial Time

Sum of trial times divided by the number of trials.

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Experiment Setup

Using a ramp, car, tape, timer, and scale.

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Data Table

Organized table for recording experiment results.

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Study Notes

Conservation of Energy

  • Energy is neither created nor destroyed, it only changes forms.
  • Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE): GPE = mgh, where
    • m is mass (kg)
    • g is acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)
    • h is height (m)
  • Kinetic Energy (KE): KE = ½mv², where
    • m is mass (kg)
    • v is velocity (m/s)
  • Energy is conserved, meaning the total energy remains constant.

Physics Lab Procedure

  • Materials: Ramp, smooth surface, stopwatch, tape measure, duct tape, toy car, weighing scale.
  • Steps:
    1. Build a ramp.
    2. Mark start and stop points with duct tape, measure distances and height
    3. Release the car, start stopwatch at ramp bottom, stop at stop point.
    4. Repeat steps 3 at least five times.
    5. Record all trial times in a table.
    6. Calculate the average time.
    7. Measure the car's mass.

Data Analysis

  • Calculate speed: Speed = Distance / Time (distance from ramp bottom to final tape, time = average time)
  • Calculate Kinetic Energy: Using the calculated speed and mass from the car
  • Calculate Gravitational Potential Energy: Using the starting height and mass of the car
  • Calculate energy lost as heat: Subtract the kinetic energy from the gravitational potential energy. The difference is the energy converted to heat through friction.

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