Potential and kinetic energy with the 2-1 timer

Principle

In this experiment, pupils should investigate and become familiar with the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy. Here, an experimental car will be accelerated by a weight in the earth's gravitational field. The accelerating force is deactivated automatically after a given distance (or height) as the mass touches the ground. The car continues to move with the speed last reached. This can be determined using the photoelectric gates and the timer.

From the given height the pupils should calculate the potential energy and plot it against v². The slope k (with the dimension of a mass) should be compared with the total mass m. This yields m = 2 k. The formula E_kin = 1/2 m v², which will be derived elsewhere, should be made plausible this way.

Benefits

• Especially accurate and reproducible results due to the use of light barriers and the Timer 2-1
• Timer 2-1 can be used for versatile applications, for example for teacher experiments due to ist great display
• Very modern student experiments which fully cover the curriculum subject "Motion"