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.