Gabriel Ian J.

Larracas TV02
Individual Report

Interpretation of Results
The experiment displays the process of conservation of mechanical energy. Before the trial
commence, this activity is composed of different objectives that are intended to point out, it includes
measuring the initial and final gravitational potential energy of the dynamic cart, measuring the initial and
final elastic potential energy of the dynamic cart, and to verify the law of conservation of mechanical
energy. The interpretation aids us to identify the variety of energy that acts on an object from different
position and scenario. It helps understand the scientific explanation of the energy present on the object
from the given experiment. The experiment holds a number of trials for each mass hanger and identifying
the height and time which helps the process of solving for elastic potential energy, gravitational potential
energy, kinetic energy, and mechanical energy.

TABLE 9.7.1 Spring Constant Determination

Mass, m (kg) Weight, W (N) Length of
Compression, L
(m)
0.05 kg 0.49 N 0.01 m
0.1 kg 0.98 N 0.015 m
0.15 kg 1.47 N 0.02 m
0.2 kg 1.96 N 0.025 m
0.25 kg 2.45 N 0.03 m
0.30 kg 2.94 N 0.035 m
0.35 kg 3.43 N 0.04 m
0.40 kg 3.92 N 0.045 m
0.45 kg 4.41 N 0.05 m
0.5 kg 4.9 N 0.055 m
Spring Constant, k (N/m) 98 N/m

To begin with, in identifying the spring constant, the PASCO track should be leveled as the
PASCO cart with string and spring connected is placed. By then, the mass is added and added (+50g) up
until it reaches 500g to the string to identify the value for weight and length compression. The given value
is used to calculate for spring constant, a STAT mode on the calculator, the spring constant is identified.
For interpretation of the table 9.7.1 (Spring Constant Determination), as the mass is increasing by
adding 50g or 0.50kg, the weight also increases. Moreover, the length of compression is decreasing, this
is because as the mass increases, the spring gradually compressed which makes the length of compression
decrease. From here, the elastic potential energy is stored and identified as the spring compressed.
Next, the PASCO track is elevated and the position of the cart when the string is compressed by 5
cm from its relaxed position is recorded. From here, it contains 10 trials to identify the highest position of
the cart when the string is being pulled by 5 cm behind to its relaxed position. Pulling the string and
releasing it, the highest position is identified. Also, the average height is computed using the given
formula.
The interpretation for the table 9.7.2 (Maximum height reached by the cart) is that to reduce the
occurrence of not accurate and precise data. Number of trials is observed on the experiment; hence the
mean serves as the closest and accurate data to get an accepted margin of error. Also, the provided value
is used to identify for the upcoming computation of different energy.
For interpretation for the table 9.7.4 (Energy Measurement Data). To begin with, for point A, the
cart’s height is zero (0) since it is at steady at its initial position. The compression of the spring is at
0.05m, given from the handout, from its relaxed state it is compressed by 0.05m. The speed of the cart is
zero (0) since the cart is steady on its position.
For point B, it interprets that as the carts is released and reaches the recorded position in B, the
height differs (0.0046) since it moves from one point to another. The compression of the spring is zero (0)
since as it released, the spring decompress that makes the cart move. As the cart move it recorded a speed
of 0.2146.
For point C, it interprets that the cart reaches the maximum height which provided a higher value
of height. Similar to point B, the cart moves as the spring decompress, hence the compression of the
spring resulted to a value of zero (0). As it reaches the maximum height, the motion of the cart stops,
hence the speed of the cart resulted to zero (0).

Percentage A and B 25.31%

difference % B and C 1.26%
A and C 29.57%

Next, the table 9.7.5 (Energy Computations), the given value for the previous tables and the
recorded data is substituted to its respective formula for elastic potential energy, gravitational potential
energy, and kinetic energy. To get mechanical energy is by adding the calculated value for each energy
from their respective points. By then, calculating for their percentage differences by pairing each point. A
and B produces 25.31%, B and C produces 1.26%, and for A and C produces 29.57%.
This interprets that points A and B produces a percentage difference that is not that accurate and
precise, since the accepted percentage difference is 20% and below as stated by the instructor. For points
B and C produces an accepted percentage difference, hence it is close and accurate to its actual value.
Lastly, for point B and C produces a large margin which explains that the value is not that accurate and
precise to its original value. It concludes that upon doing the experiment, there are certain human error
and measurement error occurs that makes the data far to the accepted percentage difference.

Conclusion
The data gained from the experiment are the result of using the formulas, specified equipment,
and stated instructions which mimics the scenario of the conservation of mechanical energy. The
specified equipment includes PASCO dynamic track with end stops, PASCO dynamic cart, PASCO pivot
clamp, set mass hanger and masses, 2m string, PASCO angle indicator, base and support rod set,
stopwatch, and triple beam balance.
 As observed, it also identifies that when the mass increases the compression of the spring
increases which makes that there is a relationship between the spring and mass. The aim of this
experiment is to determine the different types of energy that acts on the cart. These types of energy
include elastic potential energy, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and mechanical energy.
Additionally, from this energy, the law of conservation of mechanical energy is being differentiate and
verified to the experiment. From each point, there are sets of motion that the cart performed, this set of
motion is where the types of energy is identified. Individually, it helps understand the differences of each
energy; elastic potential energy occurs at the experiment as the spring is compressed when the mass is
added or there is a force that pull the string by then there is an energy stored; gravitational potential
energy occurs in the experiment as the cart gains height the gravitational energy increases; and kinetic
energy shows when the cart gains speed or movement. Moreover, the law of conservation of mechanical
energy is not verified on the experiment, since the gained value of total mechanical energy is increasing
which is not remain constant from each point.
In addition, the produced percentage difference concludes that the points B and C creates an
accurate and precise data as it is under the accepted percent which is 20% below. Meanwhile, point A and
B and point A and C produces a percentage difference higher than 20%, hence it is not accurate and
precise to its actual value. This occurrence showcases that there are external factors associated in the
experiment, it includes human error and precision in measurements. A human error specifically the lack
of understanding of the experiment, lack of knowledge in using the formula, and the error in calculating
the data. It also includes the error in recording a data which alters the final results proceeding to a large
margin of percentage difference.

Answers to Guide Questions & Problems

1. As the cart goes up, what happens to its gravitational energy? Explain your answer.

- To begin with, gravitational energy in simple terms, refers to the energy something has because
of where it is in relation to the Earth or another massive object. Based from the experiment and
the description of gravitational energy, as the cart goes up on the PASCO track, the gravitational
energy increases. This explains that as the cart goes higher on the track, it has more gravitational
energy since it has the potential to fall down due to gravity. A position of an object relative to a
gravitational field stores gravitational potential energy. We calculate this using the formula PE =
mgh. Let us also not forget that as the cart goes up, its height also increases meaning its
gravitational potential energy similarly experiences rise.

However, when the cart starts moving downward, this stored energy form can be converted into
different types like kinetic energy. Hence, as the cart goes high in the air so too does its increase
in gravitational energy, now showing more ability to do work since it has risen in relation to the
pull of gravity.

2. As the cart leaves the spring, what happens to the elastic potential energy of the spring? Explain
your answer.

- To give an idea, the elastic potential energy of a spring is identified when the energy stored
within the spring is stretched or compressed. From the experiment, as the cart leaves the spring,
the build up elastic potential energy in the spring is transformed into kinetic energy. In simpler
 terms, it is trying to return to its original form and resisting from the changes in shape that it
undergoes, hence this resistance to change is where the energy is stored.

On leaving the spring, the cart releases its stored elastic potential energy, which makes the spring
returning to its original shape. The release of this energy pushes the cart ahead and transforms it
into kinetic energy. As per the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor
destroyed, but only changed from one form to another. Consequently, the system’s total energy is
constant.

The magnitude of elastic potential energy that is stored in a spring depends on how far it has been
compressed and also in its stiffness. The moment the cart leaves the spring, elastic potential
energy decreases to zero as spring returns to equilibrium position but in turn kinetic energy of the
car increases making it move forward.

3. As the cart moves up (reaching points B and C), what happens to its kinetic energy? Explain your
answer.

- To begin with, kinetic energy is identified as the energy something that has because it’s moving.
Just like from the experiment, the cart rises from the PASCO track which contains motion that
identified as kinetic energy. Based from the experiment, as the cart moves up reaching points B
and C, the kinetic energy is different from one another. Point B releases 0.055 J of kinetic energy,
while point C releases 0 J of kinetic energy.

In explanation, as the cart releases and moves up to the position of point B the kinetic energy
increases. This is due to the cart moving upwards which creates velocity, as velocity increases the
kinetic energy also increases. Additionally, kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of
velocity. While, going to the position of point C, the cart’s kinetic energy is zero (0 J). This
explains as the cart reaches its maximum height the cart comes to a stop, hence there is no
velocity similarly for kinetic energy. All of the kinetic energy has been converted into other
forms of energy such as potential energy due to it elevate position in the gravitational field. It
concludes that as the velocity increases, the kinetic energy increases as well, and same on its
opposite.

4. Is there a significant difference between the total mechanical energy at points A, B and C?

- Based from the value of total mechanical energy in the table, there is a significant difference
between points A, B, and C due to the gap when compared. Additionally, to the specific energy it
came from. To begin with, total mechanical energy refers to the sum of energy present to the
experiment specifically the elastic potential energy, gravitational potential energy, and kinetic
energy.

Point A releases a value of 0.122 J which mainly comes from the presence of one energy that is
elastic potential energy. This is because the string from point A is compressed which produces
elastic potential energy, meanwhile there is no kinetic energy since there is no motion and no
gravitational potential energy since it is positioned at the bottom of the track. Point B releases a
value of 0.158 J, this value mainly comes from gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.
 Lastly, point C releases a value of 0.165 J, which mainly comes from the gravitational potential
energy.

It concludes that the value of total mechanical energy from each specific point have significant
difference as it becomes higher and higher as the points progress, it is due to different energy
related and the continuous exchange and transformation of energy that form as the object moves.

5. Is the law conservation of energy verified in the experiment? Explain your answer.

- To verify whether the given points of mechanical energy on the experiment adhere to the law
of conservation of mechanical energy, the provided total result should be remain constant
from every points. Based from the results of the experiment, the produced total mechanical
energy for point A is 0.122 J, point B is 0.158 J, and point C is 0.165 J. Now comparing this
point by pair resulted to an increasing of value.

Therefore, the law conservation of energy is not verified on this experiment. The total
mechanical energy should be remained constant throughout the experiment. There are factors
such as loss or gain of different types of energy that did not adhere to the law.