Elastic Potential EnergyWhen asn elastic material is

stretched or Compressed, a force is applies to transfer energy to that material

This Force is realted to the properties of the material and is known as the elastic constant

The elastic constant is different for every elastic material

Elastic Potential EnergyThe elastic constant can be discovered

with the following equation:F=kx◦F= elastic Force◦k= the elastic constant for the material◦x= the distance the material can stretch or

compressAll Materials have an elastic limit-

which is the point that the material will no longer behave like an elastic material.

Elastic Potential EnergyThe energy stored in elastic

material is related to the elastic constant and the distance that the material can be stretched or compressed.

EPE= ½ kx2

Investigating Elastic Force & Elastic Potential Energy

Focus Question: How is EPE related to the stretch or compression distance of the elastic material? How does EPE effect KE within a system?

Your task is to explore how the EPE is related to the amount compression of a spring inside the car.

Trial number Distance traveled

Investigation instructions Step 1: set up your ramp Step 2: push in plunger to setting

#1, place car at the bottom of the ramp and release the plunger. Measure how far the car traveled and record data on T-chart

Step 3: repeat step 2, with setting #2 and #3

Draw an Energy Diagram using a circle graph and composite bar graph. Consider the following energies (EPE, KE, GPE, HE) #1 the car has plunger pushed in. #2 The plunger has been released and propels the car forward. #3 the car is half way up to its maximum height and is staring to slow down as it goes up the ramp. #4 Car has achieved its max height and is about to roll back down the ramp.

#1 #2#3

#4

Investigation reflection questions1. When the plunger pushes on the books on the

bottom of the ramp what do the books do the plunger? Which of Newton’s laws tells you this? (STATE the LAW!!!)

2. What are two ways that you could increase the magnitude of friction between the wheels of the car and the track?

3. What would happen to the KE of the car if the friction increased. Explain using HE.

4. If I where to put 2 plungers on the back of the car what would happen to the acceleration of the car? What law tells you this? (STATE the LAW!!!!)