In this activity, we released the ruler from a certain height, and we predicted the maximum height it would reach by calculation. Then, we use logger pro to measure the actual maximum height it would reach.
Apparatus:
A clay was placed at the bottom of the ruler's path.
The top of the ruler wasstabled on the motion
sensor.
Prediction made with calculation:
The actual height found with logger pro:
From the Logger Pro, we could find the maximum height that the meter stick and the clay could reached is 0.1312m.
%error = (0.336-0.1312)/0.336 *100% =60%
Conclusion:
The difference between the calculated prediction and the actual height measured by the logger pro is very large. The large difference might be caused by the friction between the clay and the ground. Because the clay is sticky, a lot of energy was lost trying to separate the clay and the ground. Since we predict the maximum height under ideal condition when it was really not ideal. To make an more accurate prediction, we should take the air resistance, the stickiness of the clay, and the friction on the pivot point.
Where did the 0.205 m come from in your calculation? I don't see that number anywhere else in your calculations or the lab. The rest of your equations and graphs all look fine.
ReplyDeleteEnergy is supposed to be lost in the collision. That by itself isn't a source of error, unless the energy is lost somewhere outside of the collision itself.