Please help with my understanding of this Physics lab Work and Kinetic Energy La
ID: 1897432 • Letter: P
Question
Please help with my understanding of this Physics labWork and Kinetic Energy Lab, investigating the relationship between the work done on a cart and the change in the kinetic energy of the cart.
We used a cart, track, 3- 20 g masses, and a photogate. Basically we place started with the 20 g mass attached to the end of a string. We moved the cart to the end of the track so the 20 g mass was hanging at 80 cm above the floor. We then measured distance from the bottom on the 20 g mass to the floor and recorded it below and release the cart. We did this again for each mass. Below is the data recorded.
Can you help me understand how to calculate the work done by the falling mass? W=mgh
And how to calculate kinetic energy of the cart and the falling mass. The car and the picket fence used had a total mass of 500g.
Mass Height Work Velocity Total kinetic energy
20g 42 cm ? .507 ?
40g 42 cm ? .691 ?
60g 42 cm ? .876 ?
Finally when comparing the work done by the falling mass to the total change in kinetic energy for the cart and the falling mass, why might there be a difference?
Explanation / Answer
There is a difference because some energy is lost due to air resistance