Rubber Band Cart Launcher

This week in class, we completed the Rubber Band Cart Launcher Lab.

BIG Question: How are energy and velocity related?

Our group's data from this lab.

We were required to build a cart launcher consisting of: a rubber band, a cart, a track, and the air glider system. After pulling the rubber band 1cm, 2cm, 3cm, 4cm, and 5cm. We used  the photogate sensor, and we were able to calculate the velocity in which the cart was traveling. 





Using the data we acquired from the sensor, we created a graph on our iPads using the Vernier Graphical Analysis app. From this graph, we were able to derive the equation: E=1/2(mv^2). To answer the big question, energy and velocity are related in the way that if velocity lowers, so will the energy. 


Also, we learned about kinetic energy (moving) and elastic potential (stored). This video has a really catchy song about kinetic and potential energy!

When I was younger, I used sling shots all the time for a variety of reasons. When a rock is put in the holder and pulled back, work is being done and potential energy is stored. When the holder is released, all of the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and the rock goes soaring.