LAB 11 PART B: IMPLEMENTATION - Personal Power

Introduction

Power is the rate at which work is done, and it depends on both the amount of work done and
the time taken to complete the task. When performing physical activities such as walking,
jogging, or running, the work done is determined by the person’s weight and the vertical
height climbed, while the power output is affected by how quickly the activity is completed.
Since running requires more effort and is performed in a shorter time, it is expected to
produce the highest power output.

The relationship between work, power, and time is important in understanding human
performance and energy expenditure. Athletes and fitness trainers use these concepts to
improve efficiency and maximize performance. In this experiment, the power output for
walking, jogging, and running up a staircase will be compared to determine whether running
requires the most power.

Method

1.The mass of the person performing the physical activities was measured using a weighing
scale.

2.The mass was converted to weight

3.The height of two steps was measured, and the average height per step was calculated.

4.The total number of steps climbed was counted and multiplied by the average height to
determine the total vertical height

5.The work done to climb the stairs was calculated:

6.The time taken for each activity (walking, jogging, and running) was measured twice, and
the average time for each activity was recorded

7.The average power output for each activity was calculated

TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM CARRYING OUT THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ON
THE STAIRCASE

Physical Activity Time Taken/s Average TIme/s Power/W

1 2

Running 5.05 4.59 4.805 1894.51

Jogging 8.52 8.61 8.565 1062.83

Walking 12.79 11.66 12.225 744.63

Calculations
Weight of Student = Mass x Acceleration Due to Gravity
= 48.08Kg x 9.81 ms-2​
= 471.665 N

Average Step Height = (1st step height + 2nd step height)/2

Vertical Height = Number of Steps x Avg Step Height

Work Done = Weight x Vertical Height

Power =Work Done/Avg Time: Running: 9103.135 Nm / 4.805s = 1894.51 W

The results of the experiment showed that running had the highest power output, which
supports the hypothesis that running requires more power than jogging or walking. This is
because power is inversely proportional to time, meaning that the faster an activity was
completed, the greater the power output. The relationship between work and power follows
the equation P = mgh/t, which shows that a decrease in time (t) results in an increase in
power (P).

Additionally, the results highlight how different levels of exertion affect power generation.
Walking, which requires minimal effort, resulted in the lowest power output, while jogging fell
in between walking and running. The steepest increase in power was observed when
transitioning from jogging to running, showing that a small decrease in time has a significant
effect on power. However, experimental errors such as timing inaccuracies and step height
variations could have affected the precision of the results. Despite these possible errors, the
trend in the data aligns with theoretical expectations regarding power and energy
expenditure.

Conclusion

The experiment confirmed that running required the most power output, as expected, due to
its shorter completion time. This aligns with the equation P = W/t, where decreasing the time
increases power. The Power used to do each activity is as follows: Running - 1894.51 W
Jogging - 1062.83 W
Walking - 744.63 W

Source of Error

1. Parallax Error: Misreading measurements on the measuring tape for step height.

2. Stopwatch Delay: A slight delay in starting or stopping the stopwatch.

Limitations

Every effort was made to reduce experimental error as much as possible. All conditions were
kept constant. However, the following may have contributed to experimental error:

1. Human Reaction Time: Timing with a manual stopwatch introduced human error, affecting
accuracy.

2. Step Height Variation: Steps may not have been perfectly uniform, leading to small height
calculation errors.

3. Fatigue Factor: Repeated activities may have led to fatigue, affecting running speed and
altering results.

Precautions

1. Times were taken twice and the average was calculated to ensure accuracy.

2. The height of 2 steps were taken and the average was calculated to ensure accuracy.

Reflection

This experiment successfully demonstrated the relationship between power and physical
activity. It provided insight into how an increase in work done and a decrease in time leads to
a higher power output. The hypothesis was supported, as running generated the most power,
while walking generated the least. This result aligns with theoretical physics, as power is a
function of both energy expended and time taken.

If the experiment were to be repeated, improvements such as using electronic timing devices
instead of manual stopwatches could help reduce human error and improve accuracy.
Additionally, testing the experiment on different staircases with more uniform step heights
could eliminate inconsistencies in height measurements. Another possible extension of the
experiment would be to test different individuals with varying fitness levels to see how
personal power output is affected by physical conditioning.

The knowledge gained from this experiment helps me understand how my body generates
power during different physical activities, allowing me to assess my fitness and efficiency. By
recognizing the relationship between weight, height climbed, and time taken, a person can
make informed decisions on improving their physical
performance.