PASCO

MAIN PROCEDURE
In this experiment, students determine the relationship between the elastic potential energy of a spring and the rotational energy of several objects connected to the spring.
 
  1. Press in DataStudio.

  2. Slowly rotate the rod for several rotations.

  3. Release the rod and allow the system to oscillate several times.

  4. Press in DataStudio.

  5. According to your teacher's instructions, either print out or sketch the Energy vs. Time graph.

  6. Return to Setup for Part 2 (PASPORT | ScienceWorkshop) of the lab.

  7. Repeat steps 1-5 for the disk.

  8. Return to Setup for Part 3 (PASPORT | ScienceWorkshop) of the lab.

  9. Repeat steps 1-5 for the disk and ring.
  1. Show how the rotational energy can be calculated.

  2. Show two ways in which the energy stored in the spring can be calculated.

  3. Write an equation that relates the total energy of the system to the rotational energy and the elastic energy.

  4. Why is it necessary to zero the Force Sensor before placing the spring on it?

  5. How does the moment of inertia affect the rotational energy?

  6. Describe and explain what happens to the total energy of the system.

  7. How would a spring with a greater spring constant affect the rotational velocity of the rotating object? Explain.

  8. What happens to an ice skater's rotational velocity as he moves his arms away from his body? Explain.

  9. How does this affect his moment of inertia and his rotational energy? Explain.