Lab #3 – Calculating Work

Lab #3 – Calculating Work

Work = Force x distance

Work = (Force)(Distance)

W = Fd

Problem

How can a ramp help us pull a heavy object up to a greater height?

Hypothesis

Materials

Ruler, chair, ramp (inclined plane), weights, spring scale, various metallic objects

   

Procedure

Results

A.Work done without ramp

Object	Force (Newtons)	Distance (cm)	Work (Joules)
20 g Weight	__N	__cm	___J
50 g Weight
100 g Weight
200 g Weight
500 g Weight
Metal Object

  

B. Work done with ramp

Object	Force (Newtons)	Distance (cm)	Work (Joules)
20 g Weight	N	cm	J
50 g Weight
100 g Weight
200 g Weight
500 g Weight
Metal Object

  

Make another Hypothesis: Use your hands to feel the wool blanket and the plastic maps.  Which of these will cause more work to be done on the weights? 

C.Work done with plastic map and ramp

Object	Force (Newtons)	Distance (cm)	Work (Joules)
20 g Weight
50 g Weight
100 g Weight
200 g Weight
500 g Weight
Metal Object

D.Work done with wool blanket and ramp

Object	Force (Newtons)	Distance (cm)	Work (Joules)
20 g Weight
50 g Weight
100 g Weight
200 g Weight
500 g Weight
Metal Object

  

ANALYSIS

1)   Make two graphs to compare your Results: Graph 1 will compare the data in A and B, Graph 2 will compare the data in B, C, and D.

2)   How did the weight (force pulling down) affect the amount of work done on the object?

3)   Compare/Contrast the trial with the least amount of work to that with the most amount of work.

4)   Part 1 (A,B): What is your Independent Variable?

5)   Part 1 (A,B): What is your Dependent Variable?

6)   Part 1 (A,B): What are your Constants?

7)   Part 2 (B,C,D): What is your Independent Variable?

8)   Part 2 (B,C,D): What is your Dependent Variable?

9)   Part 2 (B,C,D): What are you Constants?

10)               Ponder and Discuss: What are two surfaces that would increase the force needed to pull the weights up the inclined plane?  What are two surfaces that would make work easier?

Conclusion

What was your problem?

Restate your hypothesis.  Was it right? wrong?  why or why not?

What did you learn in this lab?

What did you like about this lab?

What were some challenges you had to deal with?

What could you do next with this problem?  What other tests could you perform?

Write down any other additional thoughts, observations, inferences, etc.