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The materials of the Soaring Straws Lab consisted of a rocket and a launcher. The launcher was made out of a toilet paper tube and a rubber band while the rocket was made from straws. For the experiment, we began to shoot the rocket with a certain amount of stretch (the EPE). We conducted three trials for each different stretch amount and found the average height for every one. Additionally, we found the gravitational potential energy. All of our information was recorded in a data table, which was then used to create a graph showing the relationship between the amount of stretch (or EPE) and GPE.
By looking at the graph, one can clearly tell that as the EPE increases, so does the GPE. As the rubber band is pulled back, the EPE rises, which causes a greater height to be achieved. The GPE is weight multiplied by height and so the higher the rocket goes, the greater the GPE. In this way, elastic potential energy has a clear relationship with gravitational potential energy; as the former increases, the latter does the same as well.
As in all labs, the possibility of errors in data is always present. The Soaring Straws Lab is no different. The one main error that may have been made had to do with the rubber band. The straw rocket was constantly being obstructed by it. The rubber band was sometimes too loose and got stuck occasionally. Furthermore, it was difficult to estimate the heights since the rocket was quick and there was no way to mark exactly where the it went. Although we attempted to record the most accurate measurements in the most ideal conditions, an error may have been made.
There are several ways in which the Soaring Straws Lab could be changed in order to enhance it. Firstly, a stronger and slightly thinner rubber band may have produced more accurate results. Moreover, as estimating the exact height of the rocket was difficult, some other kind of resource could have helped the exaction of our data collection. If the rulers were not handheld, it would have probably been much easier to see the heights. The rulers could have been taped somewhere or placed in the hands of a third person, who would solely focus on holding the rulers straight for the other members. Also, more supplies would mean that each rocket and launcher would be in better condition and easier to use.
The Soaring Straws Lab was ultimately very beneficial for learning the relationship between gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy. This exciting and intriguing lab made for an interesting learning experience. In the end, we learned that there is a direct relationship between GPE and EPE; as the GPE increases, so does the EPE.
~ Starflower794!!!
Amount of Stretch | Height (Trial 1) | Height (Trial 2) | Height (Trial 3) | Average Height | Gravitational Potential Energy |
2 | 0.35 m. | 1.1 m. | 2 m. | 1.15 m. | 22.56 mJ |
3 | 1.75 m. | 1.15 m. | 2.75 m. | 1.88 m. | 36.88 mJ |
4 | 2 m. | 1.05 m. | 2.75 m. | 1.93 m. | 37.86 mJ |
By looking at the graph, one can clearly tell that as the EPE increases, so does the GPE. As the rubber band is pulled back, the EPE rises, which causes a greater height to be achieved. The GPE is weight multiplied by height and so the higher the rocket goes, the greater the GPE. In this way, elastic potential energy has a clear relationship with gravitational potential energy; as the former increases, the latter does the same as well.
As in all labs, the possibility of errors in data is always present. The Soaring Straws Lab is no different. The one main error that may have been made had to do with the rubber band. The straw rocket was constantly being obstructed by it. The rubber band was sometimes too loose and got stuck occasionally. Furthermore, it was difficult to estimate the heights since the rocket was quick and there was no way to mark exactly where the it went. Although we attempted to record the most accurate measurements in the most ideal conditions, an error may have been made.
There are several ways in which the Soaring Straws Lab could be changed in order to enhance it. Firstly, a stronger and slightly thinner rubber band may have produced more accurate results. Moreover, as estimating the exact height of the rocket was difficult, some other kind of resource could have helped the exaction of our data collection. If the rulers were not handheld, it would have probably been much easier to see the heights. The rulers could have been taped somewhere or placed in the hands of a third person, who would solely focus on holding the rulers straight for the other members. Also, more supplies would mean that each rocket and launcher would be in better condition and easier to use.
The Soaring Straws Lab was ultimately very beneficial for learning the relationship between gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy. This exciting and intriguing lab made for an interesting learning experience. In the end, we learned that there is a direct relationship between GPE and EPE; as the GPE increases, so does the EPE.
~ Starflower794!!!
