Potential Energy

Purpose: To prove that Potential Energy plus Kinetic Energy is a constant.

Method: First mass the plumb bob hanging from the wire. Measure the length of the wire that the plumb bob is hanging. Now get the wax tape and set it in the center of the aluminum strip. Tape down both ends and make sure it isn’t stretched to tight. Take the plumb bob and bring it to the top of either side of the wax tape. Let drop and make sure it goes over the whole length of the tape and doesn’t go off the side. Let it come to a stop and measure the spot that is the rest position. Use the spark timer set on 30 sparks per second and start it at the top of the plumb bob’s descent and stop when it reaches the top ...