Learning never exhausts the mind. Leonardo da Vinci
Idea Transcript
Laboratory - Conservation of Energy General Instructions: Each group should have only 3-4 persons Activity 1: Theory Work A cart of mass M is made to roll on a horizontal track via a falling mass m=50g that is attached to the cart with a string passing over a pulley (similar to diagram below). Using conservation of Energy, derive an expression to compute the velocity of the rolling cart. Ignore the mass of the pulley and string.
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Activity 2: Experimental Setup Design and conduct an experiment to compute the experimental value of the velocity of the rolling cart by allowing the hanging mass to drop a fixed distance. Use the equipment that is provided to you (PASCP Track, Photogate(s), Cart, Smart Pulley, Hanger, Picket fence, Fish Line, Data Studio Software etc). Compare the result by calculating the theoretical velocity from the expression derived in activity 1. Comment on any differences. It is expected that you will provide all relevant data in a table format and that you will perform the experiment for at least two fixed distances (10 cm and 20 cm).
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Activity 3: Conservation of Energy From the data obtained in activity 2, show that conservation of energy is valid within experimental limits. Greater than 10% error is not good and warrants repeat of the experiment, but by now you should have figured out how to avoid this.