25-Sept-2014 Work, Energy, Power Lab

In this lab we calculated the work it took us to climb up stairs to the second floor as well as the work to pull a mass up, also to the second floor, of the science building, then we calculated the power exerted to do both.

For the work to climb up stairs we used the formula

W = (Force) * (displacement) = Mgh

Work -> N*m -> Joule

Since we were climbing up the stairs the force was equal to our mass multiplied by gravity and the direction of displacement was vertical. Next we measured the height of each step then multiplied by the total number of steps in order to reach a total height, our displacement. With these measurements we were able to calculate two values for work. Then we timed how long it took us to walk and to run up the stairs using a stopwatch and used those measurements  together with work in order to calculate power

Power = (Work) / (time) = Mgh/t

Power -> N*m/s -> Watts

For the second part of this lab we used ropes mounted over a pulley and tied a mass to the other end. By then pulling down on the rope the labeled mass was lifted off the ground. We re-used the measurement of height to the base of the second floor and once again we used the stopwatches to time the ascent of the mass. 

Work = (hanging mass)(gravity) * (displacement) = mgh

Power = mgh/t