Other

PHYS204 Physics Lab 5 - Linear Momentum, Kinetic and Potential Energy

3 views 1 purchase

Course
PHYS204 (PHYS204)

Institution
Athabasca University (AU )

This lab studies the forces and motion involved in a bouncing object in free fall under the influence of gravity, with sharp upward forces at each contact with the ground. Newton’s third law is extensively discussed, along with kinetic and potential energy and linear momentum.

[Show more]

Preview 2 out of 10 pages

View example

Uploaded on April 8, 2023
Number of pages 10
Written in 2020/2021
Type Other
Person Unknown

CA$14.38

Added

Add to cart Add to wishlist

100% satisfaction guarantee
Immediately available after payment
Both online and in PDF
No strings attached

PHYS204 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers I

Lab Manual V2.0

Experiment 5:
Total Mechanical Energy, Linear Momentum, and
Kinetic and Potential Energy

(Measuring the forces of a bouncing object)

, Experiment 5: Dropping and Bouncing a Ball

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this lab is to investigate the mechanics of a ball while bouncing and while in free-fall,
while analyzing its potential, kinetic, and mechanical energy.

As a ball bounces, it has two types of energy: kinetic and potential. Upon lifting the ball up to a certain
height, it gains potential energy, equal to the gravitation force on the ball and due to the work done to
get the ball to that height. Upon being let go, this gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic
energy as the ball descends under the influence of the gravitational force. While the ball is in this free-
fall, this equation below describes how potential and kinetic energy are related:

1
⃑2
E (total mechanical energy) = U (potential) + K (kinetic) = mg⃑y + mv
2

The ball is modelled as a particle in equilibrium moving at a constant velocity at this point. The
gravitational potential energy is represented as:

Ug = mg⃑y (Joules)

Because energy is not lost due to conservation of energy principles, we can model the kinetic and
potential energy in this system as:

K i + Ui = K f + Uf
1 1
(mg⃑y)1 + ( mv ⃑ 2 ) = (mg⃑y)2 + ( mv
⃑ 2)
2 1 2 2

During the collision with the ground, a fraction of this kinetic energy is converted into potential energy,
and some is lost through other forms of energy, such as sound waves, compression of the ball (and the
air inside), and heat. Some kinetic energy is also absorbed by the floor – the harder the floor, the less
that is lost.

After a collision, the upward movement of the ball can be described with this equation, which is used to
describe a particle under constant gravitational acceleration:
1
y2 − y1 = v1 t − gt 2
2

Even as the ball is travelling up, it is still under the influence of the gravitation force, −𝑔. Because the
vertical height of the ball’s rebound will continually decrease until it comes to a stop, the potential
energy will also decrease with each bounce because it is dependent on height. In addition, the kinetic
energy will also continually decrease with each bounce because it is dependent on velocity.

Because both potential and kinetic energy are lost, we know that the collision is not a perfectly elastic
collision because each subsequent height obtained is less than the previous.

Another concept that will be discussed in this experiment will be linear momentum, a vector quantity.
Impulse is equal to the change in momentum of the ball.
m
⃑ = mv
p ⃑ (kg⁄ )
s
I = ∆p⃑ =p ⃑f−p ⃑ i = mv
⃑ f − mv⃑ i = m(v
⃑f−v⃑ i)

The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.

Quick and easy check-out

You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.

Focus on what matters

Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!

Frequently asked questions

What do I get when I buy this document?

You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.

Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?

Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.

Who am I buying these notes from?

Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller bronzeandromeda2016. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.

Will I be stuck with a subscription?

No, you only buy these notes for CA$14.38. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.

Can Stuvia be trusted?

4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)

84866 documents were sold in the last 30 days

Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now

Start selling