Make a graph of each set of data. For the first set, plot the start location data on the x-axis and the box's average slide distance on the y-axis. For the second set of data, plot the mass of the marble on the x-axis and the average distance the box slides on the y-axis.
Four start locations were chosen for this experiment. Why was the potential energy of the marble different at each location?
What happened to the potential energy as the ball rolled down the ramp?
Why did the box slide backward when the marble hit it?
What kind of energy did the box have as it was sliding? Where did this energy come from?
What is the relationship between the marble's starting position and the distance the box slid?
Part 2:
All the marbles started at the 40-cm mark in this experiment. Were their potential energies the same? Why or why not?
Comparing the marbles, was there any difference in the average amount that the box slid after catching the marble? What is the relationship?
Do all of the marbles have the same amount of kinetic energy at the end of the ramp? How can you tell?
Did you have a question on this material? This is just your lab write-up instructions. And a very few questions to see if you have the idea behind the difference between kinetic energy ("Splat!") and momentum ("Bump!") -- Cheers, -Mr. d.
