Scribd
Upload
8 views3 pages

Physics Potential Energy Lab Report

The document describes a potential energy project for high school students to construct a model demonstrating potential energy. Students will research potential energy, design a prototype, gather materials, and build a model to display to the class. Specifically, students will build paper airplane launchers using materials like paper, rubber bands, and tape to store elastic potential energy in stretched rubber bands and launch paper airplanes farther than by throwing by hand. Through an iterative design process, students can test different designs and launcher components to improve the distance their airplanes fly.

Uploaded by

Robert Taylor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views3 pages

Physics Potential Energy Lab Report

The document describes a potential energy project for high school students to construct a model demonstrating potential energy. Students will research potential energy, design a prototype, gather materials, and build a model to display to the class. Specifically, students will build paper airplane launchers using materials like paper, rubber bands, and tape to store elastic potential energy in stretched rubber bands and launch paper airplanes farther than by throwing by hand. Through an iterative design process, students can test different designs and launcher components to improve the distance their airplanes fly.

Uploaded by

Robert Taylor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

c4route steam-makerspace 25-9-2023

TITLE OF PROJECT / ACTIVITY (Teams of 4)


Potential Energy Project –Make a model to show the potential energy
significance and importance.
SUBJECTS INVOLVED:
Physics
Mathematics
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
High school students construct a model that to show the potential energy
effects in action.
EXPECTED LEARNING AND INDICATORS:
The student understands the concept of the potential energy according to the
theme already seen in class.
METHODOLOGY:
PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND COLLABORATIVE WORK
- Research on Potential Energy.
- Search for a potential project.
- Design the prototype of the project.
- Look up for all the materials.
- Recollect or buy the materials and Build the prototype.
- Display the final project to the class

INVESTIGATION: In physics, potential energy is the energy held by an


object because of its position relative to other objects, stresses within
itself, its electric charge, or other factors.
Elastic Energy:
Elastic energy refers to the energy stored in a stretched rubber band
or other substance that is deformed and wants to return to its original
shape. Elastic energy is potential energy that is converted into kinetic
energy when the stretched or deformed object is released.

MATERIALS / EQUIPMENT:
1. Paper
2.Paper clips
3. Tape
4.Rubber bands 5.Tape measures 6. Stapler
7. Construction materials to make paper airplane launchers.

Instituto cumbres chetumal 1


c4route steam-makerspace 25-9-2023

PROCEDURE: Now use the engineering design process to



build a more permanent launcher for your airplane.
 Think about the criteria for your design. You will need to
build a device to support the rubber band. It will need to
be strong enough that it does not collapse when you pull
back on the rubber band. You will also need to make sure
the paper airplane does not get caught or snagged on the
device when you launch it.
 Draw a few sketches of your design ideas, and pick one to
build.
 Build a prototype of your design. You might find that things
don't fit together like you thought they would, and you
need to change your design. That's okay!
 Test your airplane launcher. It probably won't work
perfectly on the first try. What changes can you make to
your design to make it better?
 Keep improving your launcher and testing it again (and, if
necessary, again). This process is called iteration, and
designers and engineers use it often in their work. How
does the plane's flight distance compare to when you
threw with your arm or with your wrist?
 Extra: Try using different lengths and thicknesses of rubber
bands.
RESULTS: You probably found that it was very difficult to throw your
paper airplane very far when using only your wrist. Your wrist has a
much smaller range of motion than your entire arm, and it's difficult
to get the airplane going fast enough for a long flight. A rubber band,
however, can store quite a bit of energy in a relatively small distance
when it is stretched. A launcher built with a rubber band can get the
paper airplane going fast over a much shorter distance, allowing you
to launch it much farther than you can with just your wrist—possibly
even farther than you could with your entire arm!
.

EVIDENCE:(PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

Instituto cumbres chetumal 2


c4route steam-makerspace 25-9-2023

REFLECTION: Designing a paper airplane launcher involves


considering factors like aerodynamics, materials, and launching
mechanisms. Begin by selecting lightweight yet sturdy materials
to ensure optimal flight. The launcher should have adjustable
launch angles for varying distances. Aerodynamic principles,
such as lift and drag, must be taken into account for an efficient
launch. A user-friendly design with a simple mechanism is
crucial for practicality. Safety features, like a controlled launch
force, should be integrated. Regular testing and iterations are
essential to refine and improve the launcher's performance.

Instituto cumbres chetumal 3

You might also like