Mechanical Energy

Home

 

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

 

Equipment: 1 photogate timer, 1 angle indicator, track, stand, 1 glider, picket fence, weight.

 

Procedure:

1. Measure the mass of the glider and the angle of the track.

2. Begin from rest and from the top of track. Place timer at the bottom.

3. Find x by noticing when the light goes on (add 2.5/2 cm).

4. Conservation of ME

MEi = MEf => 1/2mvi2 + mghi =  1/2mvf2 + mghf => 0 + mgh = 1/2mvf2 + 0 => 2gh = vf2

mass = ...
Θ x (m) h = xsinΘ t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 tavg (sec) Vf = 0.025m/tavg vf2 2gh % dif = [|2gh-vf2|/2gh] 100%
4                        
5                        
6                        
7                        
8                        
9                        
10                        
11                        

 

Repeat by adding a weight on the glider and changing x.

 

Notes:

1) Rotate angle indicator counterclockwise

2) As you change the angle the x may not remain the same.

 

Questions:

1) Was ME conserved?

2) What are some possible sources of error?