For this experiment we were challenged to slide a wooden block towards the end of a ramp using a slingshot like set up and have the block end up halfway off the end of the ramp but not quite falling.
To do this we had to use the equations we have for energy and use the coefficient of friction between the block and the ramp to find out the energy that will be lost throughout the process. We then used that information and the original amount of elastic energy to figure out the distance the block will slide to. This process took many tries, and many times we were only about 2-3 cm off, and compared to the total distance of the ramp which was about 80cm.
To find the coefficient of friction we used the mass of the block and the distance it slid when 10N of force was applied to it, and through this we were able to know the affect the friction had on the block.
Through this experiment, we really learned the importance of accuracy when it comes to precision in this, and also that it will sometimes be really hard to get a correct answer and trial and error will occur a lot when involving such aspects of science to real world problems. Some of the problems we ran into in this experiment were how we originally did not account for the pull-back distance when it comes to the total distance the block must move, and that that distance would create many problems when trying to find out the ratio of total distance vs. pull back distance. Overall though this experiment was very challenging but also one of the more fun labs that we have done this year. These concepts can help me in physics because of how energy is involved in so many aspects of our lives.
To do this we had to use the equations we have for energy and use the coefficient of friction between the block and the ramp to find out the energy that will be lost throughout the process. We then used that information and the original amount of elastic energy to figure out the distance the block will slide to. This process took many tries, and many times we were only about 2-3 cm off, and compared to the total distance of the ramp which was about 80cm.
To find the coefficient of friction we used the mass of the block and the distance it slid when 10N of force was applied to it, and through this we were able to know the affect the friction had on the block.
Through this experiment, we really learned the importance of accuracy when it comes to precision in this, and also that it will sometimes be really hard to get a correct answer and trial and error will occur a lot when involving such aspects of science to real world problems. Some of the problems we ran into in this experiment were how we originally did not account for the pull-back distance when it comes to the total distance the block must move, and that that distance would create many problems when trying to find out the ratio of total distance vs. pull back distance. Overall though this experiment was very challenging but also one of the more fun labs that we have done this year. These concepts can help me in physics because of how energy is involved in so many aspects of our lives.