Rubber Band Lab

Important Info + Lab Summary: We began the lab using an electronic force probe attached to a single looped rubber band. We then stretched it 1cm, 2 cm, etc. until we reached 5 cm. We did this twice in order to get the most accurate data. After our second trial, we continued doing the same experiment but increased the number of loops from one to two. 

The purpose of this lab was to understand the relationship between force, distance and stored energy. We were to discover how we can store energy to do work for us later and analyze how much force it takes to stretch a rubber band depending on the distance in which it is stretched.







Key Data:

- Best line graph = y=mx+b
- I.V = distance stretched
- D.V = Force (N)
- Slope of best fit line = y=110x
- Fs=kx (elastic constant - force needed to stretch/distance stretched)
- 110 = k, the constant

Conclusion to Lab: In order to calculate how much energy was stored in the rubber band, we had to come up with an equation. In this specific scenario, the equation we came up with was Us (elastic potential energy) = 1/2 (b)(h) - the area (b) times (h) divided by two. The product of (b)(h) then represents Fs (force needed to stretch N) which = K(elastic constant) x X (distance stretched). Our equation is finally simplified to: Us = 1/2 k times x^2

Relationship to Real World: As you jump up and down on a trampoline, the "elastic like" material allows for enough energy to be stored so that while you keep jumping, it is able to jolt your body up further and further.

Pyramid Lab

The purpose of this lab was to recap on all of the standards we learned, including 2.1, 3.1, and 3.2. We were to recognize the relationship between force and distance and then find out if force and distance were actually universally conserved. We used a ramp, force probe, toy car and a simple machine to conduct this lab. 

Important Information and Lab Summary: That data that we recorded proved that force and distance are inversely related to one another, meaning as one increases the other decreases. In this case, as distance increases, force decreases and vice versa. Through this data we are able to conclude that the product of force and distance are universally conserved. It did not matter how fast we were moving the car up the ramp, the same amount of work (energy) was used each time. 

Key Data: 
- W=fd
- work and energy are always conserved
- work is being done when an object is being moved (energy)
- energy = the ability to do work 

Real World Connection: Ramps are props in many different X game sporting events, involving skateboarding and BMX riders to name two. When the ramps are longer and the degree of the ramp is less sharp, it does not cause the skaters to need that much force in order to reach the other side. But when a ramp is shorter and more angular, the skaters need to put in much more force into this shorter amount of distance, even though energy turns out to be conserved. 

Pulley Lab

The Purpose of this lab was to understand how force can be manipulated by simple tools and machinery, like a pulley. The goal of the lab was to use the pulley machine, string, a manual force probe, and a brass object (mass of 200g) to distinguish the relationship between force and distance while using a simple machine, in this case a pulley.


Important Information and Lab Summary: By using simple machines like a pulley, we are able to decrease the amount of force needed to lift weight, in this case a 200g brass mass. But like most things, there is always a catch or a trade off - in order to minimize the force exerted, we must increase the distance used. In the lab, decreasing the amount of force meant applying more string.


Key Data/Points:

- Increase distance = decrease in force (vice versa)
- Without a pulley: 200g = 2 N of force
- With a pulley: 200g = 0.9 N of force w/20 cm of string (distance)
- Area is equal to force times distance
- Energy transferred by applying a force over a distance = Work (J)
- W = Fd

Connection to real world:                                                                               

In most theaters, the stage crew uses an actual
pulley to lift and lower the curtain. By using the pulley, it allows the stage crew to lift the heavy curtain more easily and requires less effort to lift it. The pulley allows for a large amount of mass to be lifted with a little amount of force required as well as being a lot more convenient than doing it manually.

Mass VS. Force Lab

The purpose of this lab was to correlate the relationship between the mass (m) and force (F) of an object. Through the use of a manual force probe and an electrical one, we were able to collect data and produce graphs that show how many newtons (N) of force were needed for the various masses (kg). During this lab, we also learned more about the scientific usage of a best fit line.

Important Info and Lab Summary: When trying to find the amount of force (F) needed for the various brass masses, we had to use a force probe - both manual and electronic. From the probe, we were able to hang each mass and measure the amount of force in newtons (N) that were exerted on it. One of the most challenging part of the labs was keeping the electric force probe steady, making the results as accurate as possible.

Key Data: 
- Mass of object (independent variable) lays on the x-axis
- Force (dependent variable) lays on the y-axis
- Once graphed we found the slope of the line (slope = 10 N/kg)
- By using the slope we were able to figure out the equation F=mg
- F=mg provides us with a constant equation to calculate the force of gravity on earth which turns out to be about 10 times the mass (kg) of an object

Relationship to the real world:
This lab is super easy for us to see in our own lives. Through this activity I have learned that with an increase of mass, there is also an increase of force being exerted on that mass object. This law of the more mass the more force needed, is present in our lives when exercising. When lifting weights for example, a 5 pound weight is much easier to lift than a 25 pound weight. This is because the gravitational pull is stronger on the 25 pound weight than it is on the 5 pound weight due to the fact that less mass is present, and less force is needed!

This may be harder than...

THIS!