PASCO ME-6800 Projectile Launcher (Short Range) - Manual (Page 30)

P r o j e c t i l e L a u n c h e r E x p . 5 : C o n s e r v a t i o n o f E n e r g y
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26 012-05043G
Part B: Measure the Height of the Ball
1. Adjust the angle of the Launcher to 90 degrees (straight up).
2. Shoot the ball on the medium range setting several times and then measure the maximum height attained by
the ball. Record the maximum height in Table 5.3.
3. Determine the mass of the ball and record it in Table 5.3.
Analysis
1. Calculate the initial kinetic energy and record it in Table 5.3.
2. Calculate the final gravitational potential energy and record it in Table 5.3.
3. Calculate the percent difference between the initial kinetic energy and the final gravitational potential energy
and record it in Table 5.3.
Questions
1. How does the initial kinetic energy compare to the final gravitational potential energy?
2. Does friction in the form of air resistance affect the result for the conservation of energy?
3. When the Launcher is cocked, it has elastic potential energy. If energy is conserved, how should the elastic
potential energy compare to the initial kinetic energy?
Table 5.3: Results
Item Value
Maximum height of ball
Mass of ball
Initial Kinetic Energy
Final Potential Energy
Percent difference
KE GPE –
KE GPE +
2
--------------------------
--------------------------- x100