Rubber Band Cart Launcher Lab

Big Question


How are energy and velocity related?

In this week's lab, we used a photo gate sensor to detect the speed of the glider as it passed through it. The sensor calculates the speed based on how much time the glider blocks the photo gate. We performed 5 trials by stretching the rubber band 5 different distances from 0.1-0.5 meters.

From this lab, I learned that energy is conserved! Energy is transferred from elastic potential energy to kinetic energy. The equation to describe this directly proportional relationship is KE=1/2 (m) (v^2)

Real Life Connection-Archery!
By pulling on the arrow, you are increasing the elastic potential energy. When you release the arrow, the energy transfers and becomes kinetic energy. If you increase the elastic potential energy, you are also increasing the kinetic energy which increases the velocity by which the arrow travels. The KE and the EPE are directly proportional. Energy is not only transferred but, also conserved.