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HSB15-7

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5 views3 pages

HSB15-7

Uploaded by

bala.harshanths
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Name: Harshanth Balamurugan

Title: Investigating Conservation of Energy on an Inclined Plane


Date: 12/16/2024

Background

Purpose:

To verify that a system's total mechanical energy (potential + kinetic) remains constant without
non-conservative forces like friction.

Hypothesis:

Suppose an object is released from rest on a frictionless inclined plane. In that case, its total
mechanical energy will remain constant, as the decrease in potential energy will equal the
increase in kinetic energy.

Variables:

● Independent Variable: Height of release (h)


● Dependent Variable: Velocity at the bottom of the plane (v)
● Controlled Variables: Mass of the object, incline angle, and experimental conditions
(friction eliminated).

Setup and Analysis:

1. The cart will start from various heights on the inclined plane.
2. At the top of the incline, potential energy (PE) is calculated as PE=mgh.
3. At the bottom, kinetic energy (KE) is calculated as KE=1/2mv^2.
4. Total mechanical energy (TME) is analyzed for consistency across trials.

Equation:

PEtop=KEbottom​
mgh=1/2mv^2

Materials

● Inclined plane (adjustable height)


● Cart
● Motion sensor or photogates (to measure velocity)
● Meterstick (to measure height)
● Digital scale (to measure mass)
● Safety goggles (for protection)

Procedure
1. Safety Precautions:
● Wear safety goggles throughout the experiment.
● Secure the inclined plane to ensure stability.
● Ensure the cart cannot fall off the sides.

2. Setup and Measurements:


● Place the inclined plane on a stable surface.
● Use a meterstick to measure the height (h) of the inclined plane.
● Measure the mass (m) of the cart using a digital scale.

3. Data Collection:
● Position the cart at the top of the incline and release it without applying force.
● Use a motion sensor or photogates to measure the velocity (vv) at the bottom of the
incline.
● Repeat steps 2–3 for at least four different heights.

4. Energy Analysis:
● Calculate potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE) for each trial.
● Compare the total mechanical energy (PE+KE) across trials.

5. Cleanup:
● Return all materials to their proper storage.
● Clean the workspace and wash hands.

Data and Results Tables

Trial Height (h) Mass (m) Velocity (v) Potential Kinetic Total
[m] [kg] [m/s] Energy Energy Mechanical
(PE) [J] (KE) [J] Energy (TME)
[J]

1
2

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