Rubber Band Sling Rubber Band Sling ShotShot

BY: Chantel DavisBY: Chantel Davis

IntroIntro Have you ever wonder does a rubber band have Have you ever wonder does a rubber band have

energy, and the answer is yes. In this experiment I will energy, and the answer is yes. In this experiment I will find out how the stretching of a rubber band affects find out how the stretching of a rubber band affects the amount of energy that springs out it. I will see how the amount of energy that springs out it. I will see how the distance of stretch in a rubber band at rest relates the distance of stretch in a rubber band at rest relates to the distance the rubber band travels after being to the distance the rubber band travels after being released. In this mechanical system is proving an released. In this mechanical system is proving an energy input called an applied force .Mechanical energy input called an applied force .Mechanical systems need energy to do work, but where does that systems need energy to do work, but where does that energy come from? From people to understand this energy come from? From people to understand this experiment there are two different kind of energy. experiment there are two different kind of energy.

One is Potential Energy because energy is stored and One is Potential Energy because energy is stored and second is Kinetic Energy because energy is motion. In second is Kinetic Energy because energy is motion. In this experiment you will know how Kinetic and this experiment you will know how Kinetic and potential energy work in a very simple system, potential energy work in a very simple system, because of a rubber band.because of a rubber band.

MaterialMaterial

Piece ChalkPiece Chalk Metric RuleMetric Rule HelperHelper Tape measureTape measure NotebookNotebook PenPen

MethodologyMethodology I would need a helper, to gather the supplies and go I would need a helper, to gather the supplies and go

outside to do the experiment. My partner will draw outside to do the experiment. My partner will draw circle with chalk around where the rubber band should circle with chalk around where the rubber band should land.land.

I would also have a notebook so I can record data on I would also have a notebook so I can record data on distance and how far the rubber band goes.distance and how far the rubber band goes.

I will take a piece of chalk draw a line in front of my I will take a piece of chalk draw a line in front of my toes. I will line their feet up then shoot the rubber toes. I will line their feet up then shoot the rubber band. This is also where I will start measuring the band. This is also where I will start measuring the distance that my rubber band would end up.distance that my rubber band would end up.

I will choose a few different lengths along the ruler I will choose a few different lengths along the ruler where I will pull the rubber band back. It should be at where I will pull the rubber band back. It should be at regular intervals along the ruler. While I’m doing this regular intervals along the ruler. While I’m doing this experiment I’m still taking my dataexperiment I’m still taking my data

StepsSteps Now I’m going shoot the rubber band by hooking it on the Now I’m going shoot the rubber band by hooking it on the

front of the edge of the ruler, then pulling back to the first front of the edge of the ruler, then pulling back to the first length on the ruler and let it go.length on the ruler and let it go.

I will have my partner draw a circle where the ball landed.I will have my partner draw a circle where the ball landed. Measure the distance from my line to the spot my partner was Measure the distance from my line to the spot my partner was I will launch the rubber band from each length 8 times, so that I will launch the rubber band from each length 8 times, so that

I can average the data to get better result. This means that I I can average the data to get better result. This means that I will need to repeat steps 5-7 nine more times before moving will need to repeat steps 5-7 nine more times before moving onto the next length in my data. Then I will repeat the onto the next length in my data. Then I will repeat the procedure for each student and the length that the rubber procedure for each student and the length that the rubber band goes. band goes.

Last thing I’m going to make a line graph and plot my data on Last thing I’m going to make a line graph and plot my data on the graph. I need to see does it follow a pattern or is it a big the graph. I need to see does it follow a pattern or is it a big blob.blob.

DataData

Height (cm) 10cm 20cm 30cm 40cm

142.24 1124.8 4742.4 7174.4 7265.6

124.46 1216 5198.4 6900.8 7296

152.4 1459.2 5472 7113.6 7508.8

154.94 1702.4 5563.2 7356.8 7904

157.48 2158.4 5715.2 7782.4 8086.4

167.64 2219.2 5806.4 7904 8329.6

167.64 2219.2 5776 8056 8329.6

180.34 2432 6566.4 8390.4 8512

GraphGraphDistance Travelled By Rubber Band

y = 0.2284x2 - 42.933x + 2900.8

R2 = 0.8282

y = 639.68x0.4981

R2 = 0.8202

0100020003000400050006000700080009000

100 120 140 160 180 200

Height Of Launcher (cm)

Dis

tanc

e Tr

avel

led

(cm

)

10cm

20cm

30cm

40cm

Poly. (10cm)

Power (20cm)

Linear (20cm)

Poly. (30cm)

Poly. (20cm)

Power (40cm)

ConclusionConclusion

The motion is contain by horizontal The motion is contain by horizontal distance and the motion starts at distance and the motion starts at zero. It picks up speed in the vertical zero. It picks up speed in the vertical direction, if the rubber band is drop direction, if the rubber band is drop from a higher locating it have a long from a higher locating it have a long time to travel in the horizontal time to travel in the horizontal direction before it hit the floor.direction before it hit the floor.