Energy of a Tossed Ball

Energy of a Tossed Ball Project

PURPOSE:
The purpose for the students of the Energy of a Tossed Ball Lab involved learning how to measure the change in kinetic and potential energies as a ball moves in free fall. Since there is no frictional forces working on the ball the total energy will remain constant and the students will see how the total energy of the ball changes during free fall.
HYPOTHESIS:
1. The ball has potential energy while momentarily at rest at the top of the path. 2. The ball contains kinetic energy while in motion near the bottom of its path. 3. Kinetic energy VS. Time
Kinetic energy VS. Time
Velocity VS. Time
Velocity VS. Time 4.

Potential energy VS. Time
Potential energy VS. Time
5.

6. If there are no frictional forces acting on the ball, the potential energy increases as the kinetic energy decreases.
PROCEDURE: Omitted
REFERENCE:
Physics with Vernier
DATA TABLES: Mass of the ball (kg) .536kg Position | Time (s) | Height (m) | Velocity (m/s) | PE (J) | KE (J) | TE (J) | After release | 3.05s | 0.627s | 2.021s | 2.721s | 1.273s | 3.995s | Between release and top | 3.05-3.25s | 0.627-0.847s | 2.021-0.142s | 3.783s | 0.669s | 4.458s | Top of path | 3.25s | 0.847s | 0.142s | 4.447s | 0.031s | 4.478s | Between top and catch | 3.25-3.45s | 0.847-0.657s | 0.142- -.2.144s | 3.993s | 0.646s | 4.639s | Before catch | 3.45s | 0.657s | -2.144s | 1.760s | 1.441s | 3.201s |

GRAPHS:

Ball released into free fall
Ball released into free fall
DATA ANALYSIS:
1g.

Ball at the top of the path
Ball at the top of the path

Velocity
Velocity
0
0

Free-fall motion ends
Free-fall motion ends

Time (s)
Time (s)

2. Energy lost = 100% x TE after – TE Before/TE after release = 100 x 3.995 – 3.201/ 3.995 = 19.87% difference
The