Title:

Investigating Conservation of Energy Using a Ball: An Experimental Approach

Research Question:

To what extent does the conservation of energy principle hold true in the motion of a
ball?

Hypothesis:

If energy is conserved in the system, then the sum of the kinetic and potential energy
of the ball should remain constant throughout its motion.

Variables:

 Independent Variable: Height from which the ball is dropped.

 Dependent Variable: Kinetic energy and potential energy of the ball.
 Controlled Variables: Mass of the ball, type of ball, surface on which the ball is
dropped, and any other factors that could affect the motion.

Apparatus and Materials:

1. Ball (e.g., a rubber ball or tennis ball)

2. Measuring tape
3. Stopwatch or timer
4. Platform or raised surface
5. Notebooks for recording data

Experimental Procedure:

1. Setup:
 Place the platform or raised surface in a location where you can easily
measure the height from which the ball will be dropped.
 Ensure the surface is flat and consistent.
2. Measurements:
 Measure and record the mass of the ball.
 Use the measuring tape to measure the height from which the ball will be
dropped.
3. Initial Conditions:
 Before starting the experiment, ensure the ball is stationary on the platform.
4. Experimental Execution:
  Drop the ball from the predetermined height.
 Use the stopwatch to record the time it takes for the ball to reach the ground.
 Measure the rebound height of the ball after it bounces.
5. Data Collection:
 Record the initial height, time of fall, and rebound height in a table.
 Calculate the gravitational potential energy (GPE) at the initial height and the
final kinetic energy (KE) when the ball reaches the ground.
6. Analysis:
 Calculate the potential energy at the initial height using the formula:
GPE=mgh, where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is
the height.
 Calculate the kinetic energy just before the ball hits the ground using the
formula: KE= ½ mv2, where v is the velocity.
7. Comparison:
 Compare the initial potential energy with the final kinetic energy.
 Discuss any discrepancies and possible sources of error.
8. Graphs:
 Create graphs to visualize the relationship between potential and kinetic
energy.

Conclusion:

Summarize the findings and relate them to the conservation of energy principle.
Discuss any limitations of the experiment and suggest improvements for future
investigations.

RAW DATA TABLE