MrHphysics Physics

Name:

Roller Coaster: Conservation of Energy Purpose: Determine if mechanical energy is conserved in a roller coaster. (related objective: apply the law of conservation of energy) Equipment: steel ball, meter stick, 2 CPO photogates, CPO roller coaster track, CPO stand Procedure: 1) Assemble CPO Roller Coaster as shown:

2) Attach both photogates at separate locations on the track at significantly different heights. Make sure the inside edge of the photogate is flush against the bottom of the track. If not, the reading you get for your speed will be incorrect.

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MrHphysics 3) Plug in the power for the CPO timer and set the timer on "interval" 4) Complete the data table. Convert the mass to kilograms, convert the height that you recorded to meters. Compute the speed at each point using the definition of speed. Compute the potential and kinetic energies with the formulas:

GPE=mgh and KE = ½mv2 Compute total mechanical energies by summing the potential and kinetic at each point Position

Height

Speed

GPE (m*g*h)

KE ( ½m*v2)

Total Mechanical Energy (J)

Essential Questions: 1) If not all energy was in the forms measured, what do you think may account for “lost” energy? 2) Where is the total mechanical energy the least? Why do you think this is? 3) Do the results of this lab concur with or disagree with the “Law of Conservation of Energy”? Explain.

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