10/5/16: Conservation of Energy System

Title: Conservation of Energy System
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to show the conservation of energy with a mass-spring system.
Apparatus:

With the motion sensor on the ground and a spring hanging on top of it, we will place a mass of 250g on the spring and then measure the position and velocity graphs.

Theory:

Data:

This is the prediction graph we came up with for the position, velocity, KE, GPE and EPE versus time graph. 

Graph: 

Position vs Time and Velocity vs Time

KE vs Time, GPE vs Time, and EPE vs Time

KE vs Position, KE vs Velocity, and GPE vs Position

GPE vs Velocity, EPE vs Velocity, EPE vs Position

Esum vs Position and Esum vs Time

Analysis: 

These graphs make sense because they match how the system was delivered. With kinetic energy vs time, the first pull of the spring is the greatest, so the first wave is greater than others. With GPE, the spring bounces back to approximately the same position, but gradually decreasing with time. For EPE, the same reasoning applies as to the GPE, as the spring is gradually decreasing with time. With the position graphs, it can be seen that it all gradually decreases, which makes sense as the spring is slowly stopping. The oscillating shape is also correct, as the spring has an oscillating movement. 

Conclusion: 

The graphs match pretty well with my predictions, and it shows that energy is mostly conserved, as our systems are not perfect, as well as the fact that our lab conditions are not perfect either. However, the results obtained do enough justification that energy is conserved given if the circumstances are just right.