Physics Projects

Physics Projects: Summary

Power of a Toy

Summary:

Determine the power of any battery, spring, or elastic operated toy.  You must design the experiment and collect your data. You will be graded on the design of your experiment, the way that you collect data, and the validity of the scientific methods and principles used.

Hints:

• Power: the rate at which energy is transformed or P = ΔE/t = W/t
• Alternatively, for objects moving at a constant speed P = Fv

Be sure to include:

• • A description of your toy (photo if possible)
  • A diagram of your experiment with any variables used in calculations labelled.
  • A simple data table
  • Calculations
  • Conversion from Watts, W, into horsepower, Hp

Procedure for Construction of Electroscope:

Based on the definition that Power is the rate at which energy is transformed you are to design a simple procedure that will allow you to determine the power of a simple toy.

Hot Wheels

Summary:

Determine the efficiency of your old HotWheels tracks using only the tracks and a tape measure.

Set-up:

Set up a track similar to the one depicted. Although the loop is not necessary, it certainly is awesome. The goal is create some sort of ramp for a toy car (or ball of some sort) that will eventually end and launch your toy car as a projectile. You can choose any projectile that you feel comfortable with solving.

Procedures:

Ensure your report includes the following:

• • Draw a side view of your apparatus and be sure to label clearly any variables used in any calculations directly onto the diagram.
  • Determine the initial energy of your car or ball. Be sure to state what type of energy this is.
  • Analyse the projectile to determine the speed at which it was launched. Depending on your setup you will need to record the vertical and horizontal displacements. Show all calculations below and label appropriate variables onto your diagram.
  • Determine what type(s) of energy your projectile has at the end of the track (beginning of the free-fall projectile launch). Calculate this total final energy. Show below.
  • Determine the efficiency of your track.
  • Discuss two ways that you could improve the efficiency of this set-up. Explain your choices.

Skate Park Energy

Summary:

You will analyze the total mechanical energy transformations involved as a skater rides inside a half pipe using a simulation.   You will complete the worksheet, while you experiment with the simulation.

Worksheet:

WORKSHEET LINK

Simulation:

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