Gravitational energy Essay Example for Free

Gravitational energy Essay This is the gravitational energy lost by the jumper and when plotted, this graph should be linear. I could plot these on the same axis the point where the two graphs intersect is the extension at which the jumper comes to rest. Unfortunately my Eel-extension graph did not turn out as expected in a nice smooth curve but was instead all over the place and would not intersect g=mg(l+x) at all. To correct this I plotted the cumulative elastic energy against extension giving me the desired curve. Predicting the launch height In theory the point at which to two graphs meet should show the extension at which the jumper comes to rest. I must find the extension where the lines intersect, this can be done from reading off the graph. X=0. 61m To get the appropriate height of the jump for the Lego figure I must add the unstretched length of the chord to the extension where the lines intersect. h=l+x h=0. 5+0. 61 h=1. 11m Jumping from this height would mean the jumper would just skim the floor. The aim is to come within a safe distance of the floor so to get a safe- adjusted height I must add 0. 08m to my launch height. Safe height=1. 11+0. 08 Safe height=1. 19m Analysis According to my graph the point at which the two lines cross and hence the extension at which my Lego figure comes to rest is 0. 61m. Assuming the jumper starts from rest, the launch height for the jumper just to hit the floor will be 0. 5+0. 61=1. 11m. My graph shows no anomalies and both my lines are very smooth showing that the experiment has been carried out to a high degree of accuracy, however they are not plotted quite far enough for me to take a completely accurate reading from the graph of where the two lines intersect. In order to take the reading at all I have had to carry on my lines of best fit further than the points on the graph. When the predicted launch height was tested (not including the 0. 08m safety measure) the figure just hit the ground. When the safety adjusted height was used the jumper reached the bottom of the jump 0. 06m from the ground. This shows that without the safety adjustment the jumper fell 1. 13m showing my predicted launch height of 1. 11m was fairly accurate being only 0. 02m out. Percentage error = 1. 13 1. 11 1. 13 The use of triangles on the force extension graph when it was in fact curved led to small errors, the line was curved both inward and outward however most likely cancelling each other out leading to a fairly accurate total Eel.