Physics Lab
Lab ?Conservation of Mechanical Energy Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to investigate the conservation of mechanical energy using a roller coaster to show that energy is constant/conserved but can change forms. Materials: CPO roller coaster track, physics stand, timer, photo gate, stainless steel marble, meter stick, lab paper, pencil, triple beam balance. Procedure: 1. Gather materials listed above. 2. Find the mass of the marble. 3. Assemble the rollercoaster. 4. Use the meter stick to measure the height from the top of the lab bench to the center of the marble at a number of positions on the roller coaster track, corresponding to the chart on the lab sheet. 5. Record this height on the data table. 6. Plug in and power on the photo gate. Set timer to ?interval?.