Potential energy is the stored energy that results from the position or shape of an object. Gravitational potential energy depends on the height of an object where as elastic energy is the energy of stretched or compressed objects. As I look at the shape of my graph, I can conclude that if the elastic potential energy (or the stretch) increases, the gravitational potential energy increases aswell. For instance, when we stretched the rubberband four centimeters, the GPE of the rocket was about 22mJ. However, when we stretched the rubberband seven centimeters, the GPE was 40mJ (according to the graph). I realized that stretching the rubberband farther will increase the elastic potential energy and the rocket also travels further. In addition, the lines on the graph also increased at a steady or close to steady rate.
There are many ways to avoid errors in the data collection and enhance the lab. Many variables effected our final data and conclusion. For instance, we kept changing rubber bands when they snapped, and it also loosened as we were shooting rockets. Moreover, the shooters kept changing in order to give everyone a turn. In addition, the rockets soared pretty fast and it was hard to figure out its exact height. Furthermore, someone may have even switched rockets because we used the same launchers and rockets for each class. In order to enhance this lab, we should use sensors rather than estimation to decipher the height and do some more trials to make sure the data is accurate. With the lack of supplies we were obligated to share launchers, but keeping the same launcher with the same conditions will also enhance the lab. Another way to preserve the launchers is to make them of a sturdier material such as plastic or metal. In this way, we can ensure that our results are accurate.
