Conservation of Energey & Kinematics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a lab involving the Conservation of Energy and kinematics, where the participants successfully calculated the stretch of a spring to hit a target 3.75 m away. They used the range function to determine the initial velocity instead of the kinematic equations prescribed by the teacher, who was indifferent to their method. The participants derived their results from the equation for potential energy equating to kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. They noted that their approach likely worked due to minimal air resistance, despite not following the expected kinematic equations. Ultimately, they expressed uncertainty about the theoretical explanation behind their successful outcome.
adnama
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



We are working on Conservation of Energy, which for the most part I understand.
In this lab we have a spring that we have to figure out how far we have to stretch it when it's on an apparatus in order for it to land 3.75 m away on a target on the ground. Me and my partner did this and got the target. But we did it differently then the lab told us to ( the teacher didn't care). We used the range function to find the initial velocity we needed. The lab wanted us to use kinematics. Instead of trying to write everything out I scanned

what I have so far with all the work shown:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l149/adnamaplease/Scan100950000.jpg"

And the lab itself w/ a drawing:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l149/adnamaplease/Scan100950001.jpg"

Homework Equations



see work

The Attempt at a Solution



So the question is: What happened? Why does the lab work as it does? (talk about conservation of energy and kinematics)

Since I didn't use kinematics my answer is kinda a guess:

What Happened: Using Conservation of Energy we set up the equation Potential Energy = Kinetic energy + Gravitational Potential Energy. Then we used the Range function to find out what the needed initial velocity was. We found the elastics constant by making the line of best fit and finding the slope. After solving for delta x of the spring we shot the spring and it landed on the desired target.
Why: I'm not sure how to explain how it worked, this is the part I'm lost on
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't understand, you did use kinematics and conservation of energy. The range equation you used was derived from the parabolic kinematic equations.


It most likely worked well enough due to the air resistance being small.
 
When I say kinematics I mean just eh equations my teacher gave us. We never used the range function in class. We were supposed to figure it out with eh regular equations.
 
adnama said:
When I say kinematics I mean just eh equations my teacher gave us. We never used the range function in class. We were supposed to figure it out with eh regular equations.

I'm pretty sure had you started with the general equations you'd have ended up using the equation you used.
 
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
View full post »
Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'

Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'

Hello guys this is what I tried so far. I used the UTS to calculate the force it needs when the rope tears. My idea was to make a relationship/ function that would give me the force depending on height. Yeah i couldnt find a way to solve it. I also thought about how I could use hooks law (how it was given to me in my script) with the thought of instead of having two part of a rope id have one singular rope from the middle to the top where I could find the difference in height. But the...
View full post »

Similar threads

Initial velocity of bird landing on horizontal wire modeled as spring
Replies
7
Views
999
Why doesn't this solution work? (Springs and Conservation of Energy)
Replies
2
Views
1K
Find how far a proton travels between capacitor plates
Replies
3
Views
1K
Why can we move the spring with constant speed when we apply a force?
Replies
29
Views
2K
AP Physics C Momentum Problem: A dart launched horizonally by a spring gun
Replies
22
Views
5K
Spring deflection problem using energy equations
Replies
2
Views
2K
Conservation of Mechanical Energy - Which Equation To Use?
Replies
9
Views
1K
Conservation of Momentum Problem - Mechanical and Kinetic Energies
Replies
2
Views
980
Is potential energy defined only for internal conservative forces?
Replies
15
Views
1K
Block on top of moving slab, with a rough surface - When does v_b=v_s?
Replies
27
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top