Download Draw and Energy Diagram using a circle graph and composite bar

Elastic Potential Energy

When asn elastic material is stretched or
Compressed, a force is applies to transfer
energy to that material
This Force is realted to the properties of
the material and is known as the elastic
constant
 The elastic constant is different for every
elastic material

Elastic Potential Energy

The elastic constant can be discovered
with the following equation:
F=kx
◦ F= elastic Force
◦ k= the elastic constant for the material
◦ x= the distance the material can stretch or
compress

All Materials have an elastic limit- which is
the point that the material will no longer
behave like an elastic material.
Elastic Potential Energy

The energy stored in elastic material is
related to the elastic constant and the
distance that the material can be
stretched or compressed.

EPE= ½ kx2
Investigating Elastic Force & Elastic Potential Energy
Focus Question: How is EPE related to the stretch or compression
distance of the elastic material? How does EPE effect KE within a system?
Your task is to explore how the EPE is related to the amount
compression of a spring inside the car.
Trial number
Distance traveled
Investigation instructions
Step 1: set up your ramp
 Step 2: push in plunger to setting #1, place car
at the bottom of the ramp and release the
plunger. Measure how far the car traveled and
record data on T-chart
 Step 3: repeat step 2, with setting #2 and #3

Draw an Energy Diagram using a circle graph and
composite bar graph. Consider the following energies
(EPE, KE, GPE, HE)
#1 the car has plunger pushed in.
#2 The plunger has been released and propels the car
forward.
#3 the car is half way up to its maximum height and is
staring to slow down as it goes up the ramp.
#4 Car has achieved its max height and is about to roll
back down the ramp.
#4
#3
#1 #2
Investigation reflection questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
When the plunger pushes on the books on the bottom
of the ramp what do the books do the plunger? Which
of Newton’s laws tells you this? (STATE the LAW!!!)
What are two ways that you could increase the
magnitude of friction between the wheels of the car and
the track?
What would happen to the KE of the car if the friction
increased. Explain using HE.
If I where to put 2 plungers on the back of the car what
would happen to the acceleration of the car? What law
tells you this? (STATE the LAW!!!!)