- Is the product of force and distance universally conserved? (a constant in systems other than pulleys?)
- In Physics class this week, we tested force and distance to see if the product, which is energy, is universally conserved. To do this, we stacked three books on a table and placed a ramp at a diagonal on top of the books. We then placed a 750g car at the bottom of the ramp. We pulled the car with an electric force probe up the ramp at different distances to get our results:
- Trial #1-pulled the car up the ramp to the edge of the books
- 153 cm at 0.4 N = 1.53 M (0.4 N) = 0.612 J
- Trial #2- changed the ramp to a larger angle and pulled car to the edge of the books
- 120 cm at 0.5 N = 1.20 M (0.5 N) = 0.600 J
- Trial #3- changed the ramp to a smaller angle than the first trial and pulled car to the edge of the books
- 184 cm at 0.35 N = 1.84 M (0.35N) = 0.644 J
- We converted the distance from centimeters into meters. Force is measured in Newtons, and the total energy is measured in Joules.
- From this lab, I concluded that conserved means maintaining at a constance. When distance and force are inversely proportional, the energy should be the same; therefore...
- More force, less distance = same energy
- Less force, more distance = same energy
- Real Life Connection: Ramps are used in many places in our lives. We use them to ride bikes over. We use them so a disabled person in a wheelchair can get around without stairs. We use them on freeways. We use them in the mall. We use them in parking garages. There are countless examples we use ramps in our everyday lives. Ramps make life easier on us. Even though they usually take up more distance, less force is being exerted. AND the amount of energy we use stays the same!
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