Gravitational Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy
 

Gravitational Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy problem 26


An ultrasonic tracker is used to measure the position and the velocity of a ball with mass , which is dropped to fall freely (see the figure below). Data for the time, height and speed of the ball are collected and recorded in Table 1 below.


The set up of the experiment; position is measured with an ultrasonic tracker located above the ball



  • Based on the measured quantities, complete table 1 below with the potential energy , kinetic energy and total energy of the ball - add additional columns and calculate the values.

  • Plot the graphs of , and against the time on the same coordinate system. is the sum of the kinetic and potential energy of the ball.

  • Is energy conserved when the ball falls? Write down the finding.

  • What percentage of energy is lost when the ball bounces off the ground.


Table 1:



Note: Negative speed means that the direction of movement of the ball has changed.


 

material editor: Ebenezer Famadewa