Conservation+of+Energy+Lab


 * __Purpose__** - Evaluate energy during the cycle of a weight on a spring. Calculate the energy at the midpoint of the bounce.


 * __Data__ -**

Spring constance data - Force (mg) and Change in distance (delta x)

Motion detector - distance and velocity data for 10 seconds of bouncing

Force vs. Change in spring length (F = kx) to determine value of K
 * __Graphs__ -**

Motion detector - distance vs. time and velocity vs. time for a mass. Record value of bouncing mass.


 * __Calculations-__**

Determine from graphs - k change in height maximum velocity

1. Potential gravitational energy ( top) = mgh 2. Elastic energy (bottom) = 1/2kx^2 3. Sum of Energy ( middle) E(g)* + E(el)* + E(k) Kinetic energy = 1/2 mv^2
 * Note - h or x are 1/2 the total distance from the calculations 1 and 2.

__**Questions**__

1. Compare your results from calculations 1, 2 and 3. Should they be equal to each other? 2. Does this lab prove the idea of conservation of energy? Why or why not? 3. How much energy (relative to the whole experiment) do you think is lost to heat (friction)?

//**Conclusion**// - In three sentences explain the BIG IDEA of this lab, whether it worked and where could there be errors.