Lab 122: Conservation of Energy for an Object on an Inclined Plane

Abdulahad Malik Group B

PHYS 102A-007 Professor Cannon

11/3/20

David Rotilyano

1. Introduction

a. The objective of this experiment is to see how much energy is conserved when an

object is on an inclined plane.

2. Theoretical Background

a. Conservation of energy involves knowing two forms of energy which are:

potential energy and kinetic energy. An example would be when you push

someone. The amount of energy held in for the push would be the potential

energy and the force used to push the person would be the kinetic energy. The

idea of conservation of energy comes from the push’s potential energy turns into

kinetic energy when the energy at rest is used to move the person.

3. Experimental Setup and Equipment

 4. Procedure

a. The procedure in the lab manual is the same procedure as explained to us.

5. Experimental Data

a. Case 1

Case 1
Speed in photogate Speed in photogate 2 Time in Gate 1 (s) Time in Gate 2 (s)
Trials 1 (m/s) Run #2 (m/s) Run #2 Run #2 Run #2
Position 1 0.61731828 1.05798253 1 0.161829 0.094425
Position 2 0.62261999 1.06410174 2 0.160451 0.093882
Position 3 0.62283349 1.06414708 3 0.160396 0.093878
average 0.62092392 1.062077117 average 0.160892 0.09406166667
(These tables were made in collaboration with David and I)

b. Case 2

Case 2
Speed in photogate Speed in photogate 2 Time in Gate 1 (s) Time in Gate 2 (s)
Trials 1 (m/s) Run #1 (m/s) Run #1 Run #1 Run #1
Position 1 1.41889301 1.71941963 1 0.070407 0.058101
Position 2 1.42155816 1.72446531 2 0.070275 0.057931
Position 3 1.42119414 1.72437601 3 0.070293 0.057934
aver
average 1.420548437 1.72275365 age 0.070325 0.05798866667

6. Calculation
 a. The calculations were done first by using the mass of the glider m= .289 kg and

the velocity v= 0 at position 1. Then I calculated the Kinetic energy using the

formula K= ½ m v and the equation written would be K= ½ . 289(0) which is

2 2

equal to 0. The same steps are used to calculate the kinetic energy for position 2

and 3 in case 1 and case 2and shown in my results. To find the potential energy

we use the formula U=mgy and to calculate you take m= .289 kg g= 9.8 m/s^2

and y= .33 meters. Multiply these values together U= (.289)(9.8)(.33) which is .

935 Joules which is the potential energy in case 1 position 1. The same steps are

used to calculate position 2 and 3 in case 1 and case 2. To calculate the total

energy you must add the kinetic and potential energy which would be TE= 0.935

which is .935 Joules.

b. ETotal= K + U = constant

c. K= ½ m v 2

d. U= mgy

i.

TE Total Energy (Joules)

K Kinetic Energy (Joules)

U Potential Energy (Joules)

m Mass in (kg)

v Velocity is (m/s)

g Acceleration in (m/s^2)

y Height (meters)
7. Results
 a. Mass of Glider m= .289 kg

b. Glider Blade Width D= .0999 m

i. Position 1: Topmost position of air track

ii. Position 2: Position of first photogate

iii. Position 3: Position of second photogate

1. Velocity is 0 is both case 1 and 2 because the track at the topmost

position.

Case Position V (m/s) Y (m) K (J) U (J) TE (J)

1 0 m/s .334 m 0J .935 J .935 J
2 1.42 m/s .323 m .291 J .892 J 1.18 J
1 3 1.72 m/s .271 m .427 J .765 J 1.19 J
1 0 m/s .332 m 0J .935 J .935 J
2 0.62 m/s .285 m .0565 J .807 J .863 J
2 3 1.06 m/s .181 m .162 J .510 J .672 J

8. Analysis and Discussion

a. Concepts that were used were the energy conserved equation along with the

equations for kinetic and potential energy. These concepts explain how these

energy added together helps us understand the total energy conserved.

b. Some error analysis included having the glider hit hard against the track which

would include other data and air supply which would make the track go down

really fast.

○ 1.)

Kinetic energy Increases Decreases Stays Constant

 Potential energy Increases Decreases Stays Constant

Total energy Increases Decreases Stays Constant

○ 2.) The function of the air provided by the air supply and then delivered to the air

track is to reduce friction on the track and so it can go down smoothly and

decreases the chances of error analysis.

9. Conclusion

○ What I learned from this experiment is how conservation of energy has helped us

understand how everyday objects can help us in our lives. Such as when water

falls from the sky and that potential energy converts to kinetic energy. Which is

used to turn a turbine and produce electricity. This demonstrated how

conservation of energy is used in our lives and enhances our knowledge of how to

produce more forms of energy from this. One change I would make is to add a

lubricant which would decrease the amount of friction.