In this experiment, students will use a force sensor and motion sensor to discover the relationship between an applied force and the kinetic energy of a car accelerating on a track.

• PASPORT
• 500 Interface
• 750 Interface

1. Hold the car about 20 cm from the Motion Sensor and click Start. Data collection will automatically start when the car is 25 cm from the Motion Sensor.
2. Release the car and catch it before it hits the Super Pulley at the other end of the track. Data collection will automatically stop when the car is 75 cm from the Motion Sensor.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with increasing amounts of hanging mass for a total of 3 data runs.

• DataStudio

1. What pattern do you observe between the working done on the car and its change in kinetic energy?
2. In your own words, explain why the above pattern exists.
3. What other forces are acting on the car besides the string pulling it?
4. Do any of these forces affect the change in kinetic energy for the car?
5. Write a generic equation that describes the energy transfer process throughout this experiment.
6. What happens to the change in kinetic energy as more hanging mass is used? Explain in terms of working.
7. How would the situation change, if a wooden block were used instead of the car? Explain.