Lab #3 – Calculating Work

Lab #3 – Calculating Work

Work = Force x distance

Work = (Force)(Distance)

W = Fd

Problem

How can we use a ramp to help us pull a weight up to a certain height with the least amount of work possible?

Hypothesis: If I use a ramp to pull the weight up to the SAME height (distance), then....   harder? easier?  no difference?   and this is my reasoning....

Materials

Ruler, chair, ramp (inclined plane), weights, spring scale

Procedure

Results

A.  Work done without ramp

Object	Force (Newtons)	Distance (cm)	Work (Joules)
a. __g Weight	__N	__cm	___J
b. __g Weight
c. __g Weight
d. __g Weight

Calculate the average work done without a ramp: _____Joules

B.  Work done with ramp

Object	Force (Newtons)	Distance (cm)	Work (Joules)
a. __g Weight	N	cm	J
b. __g Weight
c. __g Weight
d. __g Weight

Calculate the average work down using a ramp:
_____Joules

 

ANALYSIS

1)   Make a bar graph titled, "Bar graph comparing work done without a ramp vs work done with a ramp".
x axis: 2 bars = no ramp vs ramp
y axis: average amount of work done in Joules

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

3) a.Where does your data indicate that using a simple machine (inclined plane) makes work easier, using a ramp or no ramp?
    b. Which saves you energy, using a ladder or using the stairs?  Use evidence from your results!!!

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?

Conclusion

Restate the problem in your own words.

My hypothesis (is/is not supported) because__________________________. Briefly describe your procedure i.e. what were the steps you took to complete the investigation?  (Think of a following a recipe when you cook!)

If I had the opportunity to complete this lab again, I would change _________ because________________  What did you learn in this lab?

What did you like about this lab?

What were some challenges you had to deal with?  My sources of error for the lab were _____________because____________.

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

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

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Make another Hypothesis: Use your hands to feel the sandpaper.  Will the sandpaper cause more work, less work or no change to be done on the weights? 

C.  Work done with ­­­­sandpaper and ramp

Object	Force (Newtons)	Distance (cm)	Work (Joules)
a. __ g Weight
b. __ g Weight
c. __ g Weight
d. __ g Weight

Calculate the average work done using a different surface: _____Joules

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

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

9)   Part 2 (B,C): What are you Constants?
10) Make a bar graph titled, "Bar graph comparing work done with ramp surface vs work done with sandpaper"
x axis: 2 bars = ramp surface vs sandpaper
y axis: average amount of work done in Joules