Lab 11
Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem
Ricardo Gonzalez, Peter, and Hannah
April 10, 2017
The goal of this lab is to show that that by using four different experiments, we are able to prove that the work done is equal to the change of kinetic energy.
1. Theory
We know that the work done by an object is equal to the the force*distance
W=F*Δx
We also know that the change in Kinetic Energy is equal to one half the mass times velocity squared
KE = 0.5mv(final)^2-0.5mv(initial)^2
Through these experiments, we will prove that theoretically, the Total work is equal to the Change of Kinetic Energy. Work(total)=ΔKE
2. Procedure
Experiment 1: Total Done by a Constant Force
To set up the apparatus, we placed a cart track system on top of the table. With one side of the track overhanging from the table, we clamped a pulley. A mass of 0.50 Kg was placed on top of the cart. With the track leveled on top of the table, by placing pieces of paper under the track until the cart did not move in any direction. The force sensor was connected to the lab Pro which was connected to our computer. The Logger Pro software was started up and the Force sensor was Zero-d when held both horizontally and vertically. Next, we placed the force sensor onto the cart. A motion sensor was placed on the other end of the track , just behind the carts direction of motion. The motion sensor was also connected to the Logger Pro software. A string was attached from the motion sensor on the cart, placed over the pulley and attached to a hanging mass of 0.05 Kg.
To execute the experiment, we will hit collect on the logger pro software just before we release the cart and it accelerates down the track.
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| We placed two masses in front of the cart in order to not allow the cart to start moving as we took the necessary photos and set up the software for the experiment. |
We created a calculated column on the Logger Pro software fro the Kinetic Energy and added the KE to our Force vs Time graph.
Experiment 2: To find Total Work by a Non-constant Force
Using the same apparatus, we made a few adjustments. The pulley was un-clamped and put to the side. On the table we placed a clamp and a vertical rod on the clamp. The force sensor was unattached from the cart, once again Zero-ed both horizontally and vertically, and the placed onto the vertical rod. The string was replaced by a spring that was connected to the force sensor and the cart. The mass was taken off of the cart and we taped a piece of paper onto the cart in such a way so that the cart can be noticed by the motion sensor.
To execute the experiment, we will hit collect on the logger pro software and by hand, move the cart forward stretch the spring a distance of 0.60 meters.
Experiment 3: Kinetic Energy and the Work-Kinetic Energy Principle
We will use the same apparatus as in Experiment 2.
To execute the experiment, we will stretch the spring to a distance of 0.60 meters. By using hitting collect and not moving the cart, we were able to find the distance the cart is from the motion sensor. We will Hit collect on the logger pro software and release that cart.
Experiment 4: Work-KE Theorem
For this experiment, we used a video file that showed a professor who used a rubber band to accelerate a cart that through two photogates at a distance of 0.015 m apart.
3.
Data
Experiment 1
Mass of cart = 1.128 Kg (includes the 0.50 kg mass and Force sensor)
Hanging Mass = 0.05 Kg
Experiment 2
Mass of cart = 0.506 Kg
Experiment 3
Mass of cart = 0.509 Kg (including the mass of the paper with tape)
Distance of the cart from the motion sensor is 0.595 m
Experiment 4
Mass of cart = 4.3 kg
4.
Results
Experiment 1
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| Integral of part of the Force vs Position graph |
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| Integral of a larger part of the Force vs Position graph |
Experiment 2
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| The Integral and slope of the Force vs Position Graph. |
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| The calculated value of Work on the spring. |
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Experiment 3
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| Force vs Position graph with the KE vs Position graph |
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| The work and Change KE at various positions. |
Experiment 4
5.
Analysis
In experiment 1, we wanted to prove that the work done by a constant force is equal to the kinetic energy at the same time. When we look at the Force vs Position graph, and we take the area of the force line of a part from the entire motion from the initial distance to say x, and we look at the value of kinetic energy at x, we will roughly get the same value. In the first photo under the results section, experiment 1, we can see that the area under the force line gives us a value of 0.1101 N*M and the KE at the same Position is 0.098 J. With a difference of 0.0121 j,or 10%, the value of our Work are approximately close to our value of Kinetic Energy. To reinforce this data, we have found the Work to a larger position and found that the Work was equal to 0.2299 N*m and the KE at the same position was 0.204 J. With a difference of 0.0259 J, with a 11% error, the values are realistically close to one another.
In experiment 2,
To find the spring constant, we took the slope of the Force vs Position graph which was 3.414 N/m. By using the spring constant and the known value of x, we were able to find the theoretical value of work. The theoretical value of work was 0.615 J. However we can also find the work by finding the area under the curve on our Force vs Position graph. The value of total work from the spring is 0.7068 J. Respectively, or theoretical value was 13% off from our real value.
In experiment 3, we took the integral of the Force over multiple positions and looked at the Change in KE at the same position. By looking at the KE in respect to the Work of the spring, we can see that the values are relatively close to one another.
In experiment 4, we can see that when we found the area under the graph, we got a value for work and likewise, by using kinematics, we were able to kind the KE of the cart at the same position. The area gave us approximately 25.3 Joules while the theoretical value of Kinetic Energy at the same position was 23.8 Joules.
6.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have proven that the Kinetic energy of a system is equal to the work done by the same system. The reason for such small deviation in our experiments are due to the work done by friction of the cart/track and that of the pulley. With all else constant, small deviation are going to be present.