Kinetic & Potential Energy Lab

Mrs. Reynolds

2011

Pendulum Lab• The instructions for your Journal

are on the hand-out in your buckets.

• You are responsible for completing the questions and notes in your journals before, during, and after your lab.

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Let’s Begin1. After setting up your lab journal…you must

take out the materials and set them up.

2. Take your string and weight and tape the upper end of the string to the edge of the table so the weight can swing.

3. Test the pendulum to make sure it does not hit the floor. If you need to, adjust the length of the string so that the pendulum can swing freely like a pendulum.

Continue setting up…4. Place the block of wood underneath the

pendulum. Ensure that the pendulum bob strikes the block at the bottom of its first swing.

5. The spot where the block is placed should be marked with a piece of tape and labeled S1.

6. Draw a diagram of the pendulum you set up. Label and describe where you think the pendulum will have potential energy and kinetic energy.

In your journal…7. Answer # 2 & 3. Predict what changes will

occur when the pendulum bob makes contact with the wooden block.

8. Raise the pendulum bob 30 cm above the floor.

9. Use the ruler to measure the distance from the floor to the pendulum. The spot directly underneath the pendulum bob should be marked with a piece of tape and labeled S2.

10.Measure the distance from S1 to S2. Record the distance in the chart labeled “Pendulum Bob 30cm Above the Floor” of your Student Journal.

11. Release the pendulum weight (bob).

12. Mark the displaced position of the block with a piece of tape. Measure the distance between this position and its initial position, S1. Record your measurement in the data table of your Journal.

13. Repeat dropping the bob two more times from height 30 cm and record your observations in your Journal. Using the three observations, find the average distance between S1 and the displaced position of the block and enter it into your Journal.

14.Place the block of wood underneath the pendulum at S1.

15.Raise the pendulum bob 15 cm above the floor.

16.Use the ruler to measure the distance from the floor to the pendulum. The spot directly underneath the pendulum bob should be marked with a piece of tape and labeled S3.

17.Measure the distance from S1 to S3. Record the distance in the data table labeled Pendulum Bob 15cm Above the Floor in your Journal.

18. Release the pendulum bob.

19. Mark the displaced position of the block with a piece of tape. Measure the distance between this position and its initial position, S1. Record your measurement in the data table of your Journal.

20. Repeat these steps two more times and record your observations in your Journal. Using the three observations, find the average distance between S1 and the displaced position of the block and enter it into your Journal.

All students- Wrap-Up

21.You should complete your journal notes, data tables, and observations from the lab.

22.Do not forget to answer the 5 questions on the lab sheet.

Pre-AP Extension When you finish your lab…

Go to the extension box and look at the materials that you could use to investigate kinetic and potential energy further.

Design a lab that you and your partners could do using those materials. Write an explanation of what you would do.

If you have time- try your lab.

Copyright 2008 PresentationFx.com | Redistribution Prohibited | Image © 2008 Thomas Brian | This text section may be deleted for presentation.