Lab # 2 – Crazy Coasters part 1
Introduction
The purpose of the coaster's initial ascent is to build up its
potential energy. The concept of potential energy, often referred to as
energy of position, is very simple: As the coaster gets higher in the air, gravity
can pull it down a greater distance. You experience this phenomenon all the
time: think about riding your bike or pulling your sled to the top of a
big hill. The potential energy you build going up the hill can be released
as kinetic energy -- the energy of motion that takes you down the
hill.
Problem
How does height affect the energy on
an object?
Hypothesis
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I hypothesize that the
higher…..
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Materials
Foam pipe insulation
Glass marble
Ruler
Tape
Triple beam balance
Procedure
- Construct your crazy coaster track using the materials provided.
- Measure the length of track and record your data into your Results.
- Lay the track on the ground and make a loop with 1/3 of the length;
the loop should be ~ 26-30 cm in diameter.
Tape the loop to the side of the track to keep its shape.
- Take turns trying to get the marble to complete the loop
successfully; a marble that does not complete the loop or jumps the track
is unsuccessful. Record your data
in the table below and make any additional observations on its energy.
- Using a balance, weigh the mass of the marble and enter it below.
Results
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Starting height (m)
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Successful loop completion by
marble (Y/N)
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Additional observations about the
marble's "energy"
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0.25
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0.5
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0.75
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1
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1.25
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1.5
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1.75
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2
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2. 25
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2.5
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Length of track = ___ cm
Diameter of loop = ___ cm
Mass of marble = ___ grams
Starting height minimum for
successful loop = ____ cm
Starting height maximum for
successful loop = ____ cm
Calculate the marble’s Potential
Energy (P.E.) using the following equation:
Potential Energy =
(mass)(gravity)(height)
P.E. = mgh
(note: gravity ~ 10 m/s2)
Analysis
1. At what heights were you able to
successfully complete the loop?
2. Why didn’t the marble complete the loop at lower positions? At higher positions?
3. How does height affect potential energy?
4. Where on the crazy coaster
was the marble’s potential energy its lowest? Its highest? Draw a picture and label these
positions.
5. What was the Independent Variable? Dependent Variable?
Constants?
Conclusion
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