Experiment 4: Work, Power and Energy April Ann Roman, Don Ronquillo, John Peter Santiago, Fransesca Mari

Santos Department of Math and Physics College of Science, University of Santo Tomas Espaa, Manila Philippines Abstract In this experiment we demonstrated and computed our work in going up the stairs from third floor to second floor and vice versa in the Main building. Weight was also considered. We also predicted and compared the graph of the potential, kinetic and total mechanical energy. The results we obtained were considerable and the prediction that we made was correct. 1. Introduction The concept of energy is central to physics, as many times the analysis of a system's motion involves understanding how energy is changing. The change in energy is known as work, and the work done over a given period of time is known as power.[2] General ideas about energy and its conservation permeate the whole of Physics (and, indeed, the whole of science). Many specific results in other areas of science turn out to be examples of energy conservation, e.g. Lenzs law in electromagnetism, Bernoullis equation of fluid flow.[3] This activity aims to demonstrate conservation of mechanical energy, to measure change in kinetic and potential energies as a ball moves in free fall, and to determine power output when going up and downstairs 2. Theory 3. Methodology 4. Results and Discussion 5. Conclusion 6. Applications 1. Comparing the works we have done when going upstairs and downstairs, it is more difficult to go upstairs than downstairs. The work weve done when going upstairs is positive while downstairs, we came up with a negative work. It is simply because, when going upstairs, the pull of gravity pulls us towards the center of the earth. Thus, we are exerting more effort or force just to go upstairs and it does affect the work we are doing. 2. According to the question, the professor finds it easy to go upstairs from the ground floor to the third

floor of the Main building using the main stairs, walking along the corridor of the accounting division and using the side stairs to go to the third floor. I think it is because after going up using the main stairs, the corridor of the accounting division helps the professor to gain again the effort he used to go up. Thus, he can use the effort he gained while walking along the corridor to go up the third floor. Hence, it can show that he only used small effort because he can also gain it as well. 3. Assuming that we will be late for class, we need to compute for the time elapsed when running and walking in order for us to know if we will walk or run for us not to be late for the 7AM class.

Thus, walking or running will not be helpful based on the result. Whether you run or walk, you will be marked as late. But if you will run, you will arrive at your room faster than walking. 4. When an object is thrown upward, kinetic energy is being attained and when it reached its maximum height, the potential energy is being obtained, neglecting the air resistance. And when it goes down, kinetic energy is being achieved. It means that when an object attained potential energy, it is at rest. And when it is being moved by a force, it becomes kinetic energy.

7. References

The time it takes when walking is given by,

t=

= 600 seconds

The time it takes when walking is given by,

[1] Appel, Kenneth et.al., Physics with Computers, 3rd ed., Oregon: Vernier Software and technology 2003., Edmonds, Dean S.Jr, Cioffaris Experiments in College Physics, Massachusetts: D.C. Health and Company, 1988., en.wikipedia.com, answers.yahoo.com [2] http://physics.about.com/od/energywork power/Energy_Work_Power.htm [3]

t=

= 450 seconds

http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/work_energ y_power/index.html