Understanding Energy: Lab Questions & Theories for Air Cart Experiments

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The discussion focuses on a lab experiment involving kinetic energy (KE) and gravitational potential energy (GPE) using an air cart. Participants question why measurements were taken from the cart's center rather than the end, suggesting it relates to the center of mass and work concentration. There is an emphasis on maximizing the distance traveled to allow for more time for work to occur. Additionally, thermal energy is identified as a significant factor, noting that friction can convert some energy into heat, while sound energy may also be present during collisions. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of energy types involved in the experiment.
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So, we just did our lab on KE and GPE...the usual one on an air cart with paper clips...and i have been having trouble with a couple of the questions

Why would we have measured the distance traveled from the center of the cart and not the end like previously?
Is it something to do with the center of mass...or the fact that work is concentrated at the center

Why is it good to make the distance covered as long as possible
Maximum time for the work to take place during maybe??

What other types of energy were present?

Besides GPE and KE...what other types of energy are tehre
 
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MJC8719 said:
What other types of energy were present?

Besides GPE and KE...what other types of energy are tehre

Well one obvious addition is thermal energy. Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy would not be completely conserved if there was any friction involved. The frictional force would have done work on the cart and converted some of that energy into thermal energy. Energy could also be lost to sound (if the cart bumped into something, etc...).
 
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