Physics Investigation of Stopping Distances :: Papers

Physics investigation of Stopping Distances Aim === To investigate how a toy cars stopping withdrawnness is affected by its vertical height Hypothesis The greater an inclinations gravitative potential vigour the longer it leave behind take to cease totally movement. This is because it volition have more energising life force - and if we assume that the energy is removed at a constant rate by clash then the more kinetic energy an object has the longer it leave behind continue moving Background knowledge This experiment will be looking at the transfer of energy from gravitational potential energy (gpe) to kinetic energy (ke) and the effect of clang on the loss of kinetic energy. gpe = mass (kg) X force of gravity (9.18N per kg on Earth) X the objects vertical height (m) This operator that the more vertical height an object gains the greater its gpe is. Friction applies an opposite force to a moving object, which means the object will loose energy faster than usual. The greater the friction the faster the energy loss. Equipment Toy car, 2 wooden bards (1m long 40cm wide), beat ruler, several textbooks of equal size (physics in action), a set of scales order 1. Record weight of car 2. Using the formula for gpe calculate the cars gpe 3. find out up the hop ons and books as seen below so that the start dose is at the required height 4. Hold car at start point and release 5. Record the blank space travelled across the flat be on IMAGE Fair test variables Same equipment for each test - different cars will perform differently, different boards will give different amounts of friction go forth point on board - if the car travels a different distance on the sloped board before it runs on the flat board than it will be affected by gravity differently and this will change the results The same person should release the car each period and in the same way