Experiment #5 Changes In Potential Energy

Purpose: To compare the change in gravitational potential energy with the change in

potential energy stored in the spring.

Procedure:

A)

We measured the spring one meter from the ground

Then we attached a 1 kg mass to the end of the spring

Then we measured the max extension of the spring

Then we repeated this for the 0.5 kg mass and 3 other masses

B)

Measure the spring one meter from the ground

Attach a mass at end of the spring

For the first trial start the mass at 0.1m

Drop the mass from 0.1m and measure the extension of the spring from zero to the greatest extension point

Repeat same steps for the second trial but start the 1kg mass at 0.15m

Then repeat for the third trial with a 0.5kg mass at 0.05 m

Data:

1)

2)

Analysis A: See graph.

Analysis B:

Conclusion:

The straight-line graph represents a direct relationship between force and extension.

Gravitational potential energy of the mass is changed into kinetic energy. As the mass fell, the energy became potential energy in the spring.

The calculations prove that the mass lost gravitational energy and the spring gained potential energy. This shows conservation of energy.

Sources of Error:

We estimated the lowest position of the mass after it was dropped.

There was a loss of energy as heat because of internal friction in the spring.