Physics Stairs Lab: Major Grade Due Friday, December 7th, 2012
Late labs are -10 points per day, after 3 days they are a ZERO!
Purpose: (5 Points)
To determine and compare the power, work and energy developed by a student while ascending the stairs slowly versus ascending the stairs quickly
Data: (5 Points)
Height of one stair:
Number of stairs:
Time slow:
Time fast:
Data Table: (50 points)
Data: / Calculations (Show Work) / Final Answer (UNITS)Weight / No work / W=
Mass / Weight / 2.2 = mass in kilograms / M=
Distance / Height of stair x Number of stairs = total distance / *Distance should be in meters
D=
Work Slow / *Use time for slow
Find velocity
V = D/T
Find acceleration
a = (Vf-Vi)/time
Vi is zero, you began at rest*
Find force
F = m x a
Find work
W = F x D / Velocity =
Acceleration =
Force =
Work =
Work Fast / *Use time for fast
Find velocity
V = D/T
Find acceleration
a = (Vf-Vi)/time
Find force
F = m x a
Find work
W = F x D / Velocity =
Acceleration =
Force =
Work =
Power Slow / Power = Work/Time
Use data for slow / Power =
Power Fast / Power = Work/Time
Use data for fast / Power =
GPE Slow / GPE = mass x gravity x height
Use data for slow / GPE =
GPE Fast / GPE = mass x gravity x height
Use data for fast / GPE =
KE Slow / KE = ½ mass x velocity2
Use data for slow / KE =
KE Fast / KE = ½ mass x velocity2
Use data for fast / KE =
Post – Lab Questions: (10 Points)
1. Which two factors change power?
2. IF you take more time to do the same amount of work, does your power increase or decrease?
3. Would each item increase or decrease power:
a. Run faster up the bleachers
b. Carry a 50 lb weight up the bleachers with you
c. Run the same time and height but take two steps at a time
Graphs (10 points)
1. Graph Power over Time
2. Graph Power over Work
Conclusion Paragraph: (20 points)
Discuss what you learned in paragraph about work, power and time from this lab. Make sure to answer your objective questions in your discussion:
1. Why does work require motion?
2. What are the relationships between work, power, and time?
3. Why does power have no effect on work being done?