Lab 4/15: Energy Efficiency

 

 Lab 4/15: Energy Efficiency

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment was to experimentally determine the energy efficiency of the magnetic bumper on the cart and which method-- inclined or level track--- was the conserved the most energy..

Procedure

As an odd table group, a cart was rolled across an track towards a magnetic bumper which switched the direction of the velocity. Data was collected taken at different velocities and a different height to determine the effect of friction.

Results

Conclusion

Calculate the efficiency of the bumper for the level track.  Does your result depend on the velocity of the cart before it hits the bumper?

The calculated energy efficiency of the bumper was around 90.285 +/- 5.091%. Based on these calculated efficiencies, there is a slight correlation between the velocity of the cart and the bumper’s efficiency. As the initial velocity of the cart increases, the energy efficiency decreases, with the lowest efficiency being 81% and an initial velocity of 0.4213 m/s. 

What is the efficiency of the magnetic bumpers?  How much energy is dissipated in an impact? State your results in the most general terms supported by your analysis. Is the effect of friction significant?

The efficiency of the bumpers was 90.285 +/- 5.091%. The average energy dissipated in an impact was around 1.36 x 10 -2 J of energy. The effect of friction was insignificant compared to the energy of the system. 

Compare your value of the efficiency (with uncertainty) with the value obtained by your partners procedure.  Are the values consistent?  Which way to measure the efficiency of the magnetic bumper do you think is better?  Why?

Group 1 had an energy efficiency and uncertainty of 93.68 +/- 5.01% when using a level track so the values are consistent. After comparing results from group 2, who had an inclined track, with an energy efficiency of 72.4 +/- 0.65%, it can be concluded that the level track resulted in better measurement of energy efficiency.