Determining the relationship of speed and kinetic

energy
Patricio Jose H. Najeal

In classical mechanics, kinetic energy is defined to be the energy of an object resulted from its movement.
Kinetic energy can be transferred between objects and can transform into other forms of energy.
Theoretical data assumes that no other force acts upon the object, therefore calculations made with ideal
conditions vary from experimental data. Using a cart rolling upon a runway, with different setups varying
the distance in which the cart is allowed to accelerate due to gravity, the speed of the cart was recorded
with the use of a photogate. When the distance of the cart from the photogate was 20 cm, the theoretical
value for kinetic energy was 0.092 J while the actual value for kinetic energy was 0.087 J. When the distance
of the cart from the photogate was 30 cm, the theoretical value for kinetic energy was 0.14 J while the
actual value for kinetic energy was 0.13 J. When the distance of the cart from the photogate was 40 cm, the
theoretical value for kinetic energy was 0.18 J while the actual value for kinetic energy was 0.17 J. When the
distance of the cart from the photogate was 50 cm, the theoretical value for kinetic energy was 0.23 J
while the actual value for kinetic energy was 0.21 J. When the distance of the cart from the photogate was 60
cm, the theoretical value for kinetic energy was 0.27 J while the actual value for kinetic energy was 0.25 J.
Reports show that there is a difference between theoretical data and actual data, which may be attributed to friction
being present in the set-ups. Despite this, both theoretical and experimental data show that kinetic energy is directly
proportional to the square of the speed of a certain object.
Introduction
In classical mechanics, kinetic energy is defined to
be the energy of an object resulted from its
movement. Kinetic energy can be transferred
between objects, and can transform into other forms
of energy, such as torque.
The purpose of this study is to determine the
relationship of speed and kinetic energy, and to
compare the experimental data to the theoretical
data.
Methodology
The value used for v in finding the experimental
value for kinetic energy is the mean experimental
speed of the respective setup. The value used for v
in finding the theoretical value for kinetic energy is
the calculated value for speed of a certain setup
using Equation (2):
𝑣𝑏 = √2𝑔𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛∅ Equation (2)
Where the acceleration due to gravity (g) was
estimated to be 9.8 m/s2, d is the distance the cart
travels before it passes the photogate, and ∅ is given
as 10°, the angle that the runway was elevated at.

A 1-meter metal runway was elevated at a 10° angle Results and Discussions
relative to the flat surface that supports the setup. A Table 1: Theoretical and experimental values for speed of
PASCO Metal Runway was used in the experiment the different setups
because the data collection system is designed with
the use of the metal runway. The angle of elevation Mean
Theoretical
was determined using a PASCO Angle Indicator Setup Number Experimental
Speed (m/s)
Speed (m/s)
attached to the runway. A PASCO Photogate
Setup 1 0.83 0.81
Bracket was attached 20 cm along the runway, and Setup 2 1.01 0.99
along with it, a PASCO Smart Gate Photogate was Setup 3 1.17 1.14
attached, which was connected to a Universal Setup 4 1.30 1.26
Interface which mediates the connection of the Setup 5 1.43 1.38
photogate and the laptop, where the photogate data
is interpreted, and exported.
Table 2: Theoretical and experimental values for kinetic
The experiment had five (5) setups, which varies the energy of the different setups
distance of the cart from the photogate. The cart was
made to move under the influence of gravity on the Mean
Theoretical
Experimental
runway. Attached to the cart was a picket fence, Setup Number Kinetic Energy
Kinetic Energy
which the photogate will detect. The photogate (J)
(J)
recorded the speed of the cart. In Setup 1, the Setup 1 0.092 0.087
distance between the cart and the photogate was 20 Setup 2 0.14 0.13
cm. In Setup 2, the distance between the cart and the Setup 3 0.18 0.17
photogate was 30 cm. In Setup 3, the distance Setup 4 0.23 0.21
between the cart and the photogate was 40 cm. In Setup 5 0.27 0.25
Setup 4, the distance between the cart and the
photogate was 50 cm. In Setup 5, the distance
Collected data from the setup occasionally steep lower
between the cart and the photogate was 60 cm.
than other values (see Appendix), which can be attributed
Data Analysis to the uneven surface of both the wheels of the cart and
the runway in which the wheels roll upon.
The experimental value for the kinetic energy of the
Theoretical values for velocity differ from the mean
cart (Eka), and the theoretical value of the kinetic experimental values for speed. This is because the
energy of the cart (Eka), was calculated using theoretical data does not account for friction in the system
Equation (1): acting upon the cart. The difference in velocity thereby
1 affected their respective kinetic energies.
𝐸𝒌 = 𝑚𝑣 2 Equation (1)
2
Despite the differences in the theoretical and experimental
The mass of the cart (m) is given as 266.31 mg. values of speed, and in the theoretical and experimental
Equation (1) is used in calculating rigid non- values for kinetic energy, the relationship between
velocity and kinetic energy remains well-established:
rotating bodies that move at speeds much less than
kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of the
the speed of light. Since the cart is rigid and non- speed.
rotating throughout the data-collection process,
Equation (1) can be used to find Eka.
Conclusion
Kinetic energy was defined to be directly
proportional to the square of the speed. There were
differences observed in the projected or calculated
speed, thereby changing their respective kinetic
energy. Friction affected the recorded data, making
the experimental values for speed, and its respective
kinetic energy lower than that of the theoretical data.
The researcher suggests calculating the gravity of
the location where the experiment will take place in
order to achieve more accurate projections.
References
1. Giancoli, D. C. (2016). Physics: Principles
with applications. Boston: Pearson.
Acknowledgements
The researcher expresses their sincere appreciation
for the Philippine Science High School - Central
Visayas Campus for supporting this research and for
allowing me to use the facilities for data gathering,
and the adviser of the Experimental Physics elective,
Mr. Benito A. Baje.

Appendix

Graph 1: Scatterplot of collected data for speed of the different setups