Can You Feel the Power?

*** Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object posses in a position based on its gravitational field. On the other hand, elastic potential energy is the resistance of certain objects from becoming deformed. In the Can You Feel the Power? lab, elastic potential energy (EPE) and Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) were lucidly exemplified. Following the procedure to the rocket, I first used EPE by pulling the rubber band at a specific stretch point. The rocket, at that point, is resting on the rubber band without moving and ergo contains GPE. Kinetic energy takes over as soon as the rocket takes off from its resting point.

*** My partner and I documented the height the rocket reached at various amounts of stretch vigor. Although we recorded each stretch point three times each, it is highly likely the amount of force was slightly off. For example, what might be recorded as ten centimeters is actually nine centimeters. The amount of stretch may be an error in the lab, but it is also a well reasoned variable. Based on experimental probability, it was proven the GPE changed according the amount of stretch. That shows how the change of one factor will effect the outcome.