Mapua University

Senior High School

Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics

PHY01/IS201
EXPERIMENT NO. 4
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
Agbunag, Brianna
Cariño, Sopha Helyne
Cavalida, Jose Emmanuel
Galez, Rodney
Gaspar, Nhel Angelo
Perez, Ysa Francine

Mr. Marco R. Arciaga

ABSTRACT
Energy is defined as the ability of an object to do work (Brainard, 2020). Potential and kinetic energy are
classified as the two types of energy. When an object is exposed to an external force, energy transfer
occurs. This laboratory simulation's main goal was to calculate and manipulate potential, kinetic, and
mechanical energy to get the Labster roller coaster to reach 100 kilometers per hour. The LabPad, holo-
table, three roller coaster vehicles weighing 1kg, 5kg, and 8kg, three raised tracks with heights of 2m, 4m,
and 6m, three shapes indicating meter (m), second (s), and kilogram (kg), a model vehicle weighing 300
kg, and a formula board were the materials utilized. The potential energy at the top and kinetic energy at
the bottom of the track were calculated, which resulted in equal values of 470 J. Meanwhile, the potential
and kinetic energy, which were halfway between zero and the maximum height, equivalently amounted to
235 J. Thus, it was discerned that the total mechanical energy was evenly distributed between potential
and kinetic energy. This supported the assumption that mechanical energy is the sum of potential and
kinetic energy. Therefore, it was computed that 470 J is the mechanical energy. An in-depth understanding
of the aforementioned concepts and data were necessary for making the Labster roller coaster in reaching
100 km/h. Therefore, the concepts were applied and discussed, and all the objectives of the laboratory
simulation were achieved.

Keywords: Energy, Work, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Mechanical Energy

Gaspar, Nhel Angelo

Introduction
The ability of a thing to do work is described by
its energy. Work is the energy transfer that The stored energy that an object possesses due
occurs when an object is moved by an external to its position is referred to as potential energy.
force. Energy is divided into two categories: For instance, there is no energy stored in a bow
kinetic and potential energy. when it is in its normal position or when it is not
drawn. On the other hand, a drawn bow can store either potential or kinetic energy (The Physics
energy as a result of its position. Increasing the Classroom, n.d.).
amount of stretch in the bow also increases the
amount of stored energy in it. With all the information mentioned above, the
laboratory simulation aims to make the Labster
An object can store energy as a function of its roller coaster reach the velocity of 100
relative position. This states that potential kilometers per hour (kph) by achieving the
energy in elevated position is identified as the following objectives:
gravitational potential energy. According to
Afework et al. (2018), it is the product of the ● to determine the relationship between
mass (m) of an object, gravity on Earth (g units and formula
=9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 ), and height (h) of the object (See ● to identify the SI unit of potential and
Equation 1). kinetic energy
𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 ⋅ 𝑔 ⋅ ℎ ● to discern the relationship of mass on
[Equation 1] velocity, potential energy, and kinetic
energy
From the term itself which is “potential”, this ● to calculate the vehicle's potential energy
explains that gravitational potential energy has at the top and kinetic energy at the
the potential to be transformed into other types bottom
of energy such as kinetic energy (Helmenstine, ● to compute the vehicle's mechanical
2019). This also refers to the Law of energy
Conservation of energy which states that since ● to calculate the roller coaster's potential
energy can neither be created nor destroyed, energy at the top or energy required by
energy could only be converted from one form the roller coaster to pass through the loop
to another.
Galez, Rodney
The work-energy theorem states that the net
work on a system is equal to the change in Materials and Methods
1
quantity 2 𝑚𝑣 2 , also known as kinetic energy. The laboratory simulation was executed
Kinetic energy (KE) is a type of energy that an through the help of Labster which is a virtual
object obtains due to its motion. The amount of laboratory. The goal of the activity was to make
KE in an object depends on the mass (m) and the labster roller coaster go over 100 kilometers
speed (v) of an object (Urone & Hinrichs, 2012). per hour by calculating and manipulating the
Therefore, the formula for kinetic energy is 𝐸𝑘 = potential, kinetic, and mechanical energy.
1
𝑚𝑣 2 .
2 The materials used were the LabPad, a holo-
Furthermore, the work-energy theorem holds table, three roller coaster vehicles with varying
true for a wide range of forces, including those masses, three elevated tracks with different
with varying magnitude and direction (Khan heights, three shapes representing meter (m),
Academy, n.d.). As a result, when an item seconds (s), and kilograms (kg), a model
receives a net quantity of work, the quantity vehicle weighing 300 kg and a formula board.
1
𝑚𝑣 2 that represents kinetic energy changes. Before beginning the activity, understanding
2
how to use the LabPad is essential, as it contains
According to Lotha (2019), the sum of potential all of the activity's instructions.
and kinetic energy is identified as mechanical
energy. Hence, an object that has the ability to The first part of the activity was to review the
do work has mechanical energy in the form of relation of the formulas used and their units.
The activity was carried out in the Unit Station
utilizing the holo-table and the three shapes The heaviest vehicle was then released from the
representing meter (m), seconds (s), and highest elevated track using a lever to
kilograms (kg) as shown in Figure 1. The holo- determine the final velocity at the bottom. The
table displayed the formula for the potential and final velocity was used to calculate the kinetic
kinetic energy. energy of the heaviest vehicle at the bottom of
the track utilizing the formula board that
indicated the kinetic energy formula (Equation
2). Then, each vehicle was released at different
heights, observing the velocity at the bottom.
1
𝐸𝑘 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2
where Ek is the kinetic energy, m is the mass, and v is the
final velocity
[Equation 2]

Figure 1. The three shapes and holo-table used in The third part was to calculate the potential,
the Unit Station kinetic and mechanical energy at the halfway
point between zero and the maximum height.
The shapes representing the various units of The activity was done and the items utilized
measurement were arranged according to the were the same as those in the second part. The
specified formula to represent one Joule and velocity at the midpoint was determined by
identify the SI unit used by each energy. releasing the heaviest vehicle from the
maximum height. The velocity was used to
The second part was to calculate the potential calculate the potential and kinetic energy at the
energy at the top and kinetic energy at the mid-point utilizing the formula board indicating
bottom of the track. The activity took place on potential energy (Equation 1) and kinetic
the Testing Track by utilizing the following energy (Equation 2).
materials in Table 1:
The resulting potential and kinetic energy were
utilized to calculate the mechanical energy
using the formula board indicating the
mechanical energy formula (Equation 3).

𝐸𝑚 =𝐸𝑝 +𝐸𝑘 [Equation 3]

where Em is the mechanical energy, Ep is the potential
energy, and Ek is the kinetic energy
Table 1. List of the masses of vehicles and heights
of the tracks The last part of the activity was to make the
Labster roller coaster go over 100 kilometers
The energy data screen imputed the potential per hour. The activity took place on the test
energy for each vehicle after each of them was track, utilizing the model vehicle weighing 300
released at each of the three elevated tracks. kg and a three-sectioned track, each with
Then the maximum potential energy was different minimum and maximum heights. The
calculated by utilizing the formula board that vehicle was situated at the track starting point
indicated the potential energy formula with a minimum height of 10 m and a maximum
(Equation 1). of 20 m.
𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 ⋅ 𝑔 ⋅ ℎ
where EP is the potential energy, m is the mass, g is the
Then, the potential energy of the roller coaster
acceleration of gravity, and h is the height
[Equation 1] was calculated utilizing the formula board that
indicated the potential energy formula.
Afterwards, the value for the maximum
velocity of the roller coaster was calculated as
it reached ground level using the formula board
that indicated the maximum velocity formula
(Equation 4). The velocity tracker was then
placed on the fastest area of the track to
establish the roller coaster's maximum speed.
The lever was pulled to launch the roller coaster
to observe the maximum velocity of the Table 1. List of the seven SI units
existing track. The system's starting and middle
sections were modified to achieve the Meanwhile, the derived units obtained from the
maximum velocity. combination of the base units in Table 1 were
used in measuring diverse quantities such as
𝑉=√𝑚
2𝐸𝑝
[Equation 4] energy calculated in Joules (𝐽 = 𝑘𝑔 ⋅ 𝑚2 /𝑠 2).

Determining the SI Unit of Potential Energy

Lastly, to avoid the roller coaster from being and Kinetic Energy
stuck upon toggling the loop, Equation 1 was The relationship between the units and formula
used to calculate the potential energy at the top was understood by performing the first activity
of the loop. Then, the amount of additional in the Unit Station.
energy that must be added to the starting position
was computed by subtracting the starting Using the provided formula as a guide, the
potential energy from the energy required to get activity was done by positioning the shapes
to the top of the loop. (representing the units) either above or below the
3D divider (representing the division line) to
Agbunag, Brianna signify one Joule of potential energy, as shown
by Figure 1.
Results and Discussion
The laboratory simulation was conducted to
apply the principles of Physics, specifically the
Conservation of Energy, in developing the
Labster roller coaster ride to reach 100
kilometers per hour. This was successfully done
by calculating and manipulating the potential,
kinetic, and mechanical energy. However, an in-
depth understanding of the International System
Figure 1. Virtual representation of one joule of
of Units (SI Units) was established first to avoid potential energy
confusion in the units in the computations. The Potential energy refers to the amount of energy
SI Units is the standard unit system for stored in an object caused by its corresponding
measurements which is significant in position, which is in this case, is above the
understanding the concepts stated in the Earth's center of mass (Cheremisinoff, 2001). As
laboratory simulation (Butcher et al., 2006). It stated in Equation 1, potential energy is the
was categorized into the base units in Table 1. product of mass (m), gravity on Earth (g =
9.8m/s^2), and height (h). Equation 1 also shows
why 𝑘𝑔 ⋅ 𝑚2 /𝑠 𝑠 or Joules is the SI Unit of
potential energy.
 Calculating the potential energy at the top and
kinetic energy at the bottom
Proceeding from the Unit Station to the Testing
Track, three vehicles with three different masses
of 1 kg, 5 kg, and 8 kg were provided. Using the
Energy Data Screen, potential energy was
specified for each vehicle which was then placed
in any of the three tracks with varying heights.
Based on the observation, the heaviest vehicle
Equation 1. Formula and SI unit of Potential positioned in the highest position has the greatest
Energy potential energy. As shown in Figure 3, the
formula board was answered to compute the
The same methods applied in the first part were maximum potential energy. 470 J is the
done again to determine the SI Unit of kinetic calculated potential energy that the 8 kg vehicle
energy, which is 𝑘𝑔 ⋅ 𝑚2 /𝑠 𝑠 or Joules, as obtained at the height of 6 m.
portrayed in Figure 2.

Figure 3. Graph and calculation of the 8kg

Figure 2. Virtual representation of one joule of vehicle’s potential energy at the top
kinetic energy
After identifying the potential energy at the top,
Kinetic energy is defined as the energy of motion the heaviest vehicle was released again from the
(Tara Energy, 2021). In other words, it is the highest position to determine the final velocity at
energy that an object obtains due to its motion. the bottom, which is 10.8 m/s indicated in Figure
Additionally, Kinetic energy is one-half the 4.
product of mass (m) and velocity squared (v^2),
as indicated in Equation 2.

Equation 2. Formula and SI unit of Kinetic Energy Figure 4. Velocity and graph of the kinetic energy
of the 8kg vehicle at the bottom of the track
Therefore, it was inferred that the potential and
kinetic energy have the same SI unit of 𝑘𝑔 ⋅ The determined velocity was then used to
𝑚2 /𝑠 𝑠 or Joules. complete the formula board shown in Figure 5
wherein a 470 J of kinetic energy at the bottom the mass of the vehicle does not affect the
of the track was computed. velocity. This is explained by the formula of
velocity, which is distance over time. Therefore,
it was inferred that the three vehicles with
different masses have the same velocity of 6.3
m/s at the bottom of the track with the lowest
height, as shown by Figure 8.

Figure 5. Calculation of the 8kg vehicle’s kinetic

energy at the bottom

Based on the calculated data, the potential

energy and kinetic energy have similar values
which is 470 J, as indicated in Figure 6.

Figure 8. Velocity of the three vehicles at the

bottom of the track with the lowest height

However, although the vehicles have the same

velocity, they do not acquire the same amount of
kinetic energy. This is because mass is included
in the formula for kinetic energy (See Equation
2). Therefore, the heaviest vehicle weighing 8 kg
Figure 6. Calculation of the potential and kinetic has the highest amount of kinetic energy since
energy of the 8kg vehicle mass affects kinetic energy.
Thus, it was interpreted that the total energy of Calculating the potential energy and kinetic
the vehicle remained constant from the top to the energy at the mid-point of the track
bottom of the track despite the change from The velocity of the heaviest vehicle, 7.7 m/s, was
potential to kinetic energy (See Figure 7). This determined and analyzed after putting the
is established with the Law of Conservation of velocity tracker at the mid-point between the
Energy which states that although energy could maximum height and zero. It was hypothesized
be converted from one form to another (potential that the vehicle's energy was half potential
energy to kinetic energy), the energy can not be energy and half kinetic energy. The determined
destroyed. velocity was used in calculating the potential and
kinetic energy at the mid-point, which similarly
amounted to 235 J, as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 7. Representation showing the Figure 9. Calculation of the potential and kinetic
transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy at the mid-point
energy
The findings validated the hypothesis, which led
The vehicles with different masses were placed to the interpretation that the total mechanical
again in the heights to observe the velocity at the energy was equally divided between the
bottom of the track. Based on the observation, potential and kinetic energy in the mid-point.
This is supported by the concept that mechanical The potential energy was calculated by using
energy is the sum of potential and kinetic energy, Equation 1 and by considering the following
pertaining to its formula indicated in Figure 10. given values: mass of the roller coaster (m) =
By substituting the calculated value of 235 J of
300 kg, height of the track (h) = 20 m, and
potential energy and 235 J of kinetic energy on
the formula stated in Equation 3 and Figure 10, gravity on Earth (g) = 9.8 m/s. As shown in
a 470 J of mechanical energy was computed. Figure 12, the calculated potential energy was
58, 800 J.

Equation 3 and Figure 10. Calculation of the

mechanical energy

Establishing the roller coaster to reach 100

kilometers per hour
Figure 12. Calculation of potential energy
Air resistance is a type of friction that can cause
a vehicle's speed to slow down over time. Since
The same amount of 58, 800 J was used to
the energy in the environment is not conserved,
determine the velocity since the potential energy
friction is considered as a non-conservative
was already computed and it was supposed that
force. As a result, air resistance was not taken
100% of it was transformed to kinetic energy at
into consideration upon doing the task. Friction
the bottom of the track. The formula for kinetic
is one of the most common sources of energy
energy was rearranged to acquire the newly
transfer in a system (Boechler et al., 2021).
derived formula used in calculating the
Magnetic technology allows the futuristic roller
maximum velocity (See Equation 4.
coaster to hover above the track, removing
2𝐸
friction from the ride. 𝑉 = √ 𝑚𝑘
where V is the Maximum Velocity, Ek is the kinetic
Applying the new knowledge to the actual track, energy, and m is the mass
the given task was to make the roller coaster [Equation 4]
better and achieve 100 km/h, which is also equal
to 27.8 in m/s. Figure 11 shows the new track as As indicated by Figure 12, given the mass m =
a reference in calculating the initial potential 300 kg and 𝐸𝑘 = 58,800 J, the calculated
energy of the Labster roller coaster. maximum possible velocity is V = 19.8 m/s.

Figure 13. Calculation of maximum velocity

Figure 11. Reference for the new track of Labster

roller coaster
Then, the actual maximum velocity of the roller
coaster on its current track was identified. A
maximum velocity of 17.1 m/s was determined,
as shown by Figure 14.

Figure 16. Middle section of the track with the

fastest velocity
Figure 14. Maximum velocity of the roller coaster

After the third attempt in pulling the lever, a 28

However, recalling that 100 km/h is equal to
m/s of maximum velocity was achieved. The 100
27.8 m/s, this states that the roller coaster hasn't
km/h objective was achieved since the track
reached 100 km/h yet. Changing the elevation of
section descended to a height of 0 meters. This
the track should be able to increase the velocity
occurs as a result of the fact that the most of
of the roller coaster. Choosing between three
potential energy has been transformed into
options that would give the system the highest
kinetic energy, causing the coaster to travel at a
mechanical energy will determine the next
faster rate.
maximum velocity. Figure 15 shows the
elevation of the track.
A final task was given, and it is to toggle the loop
section to have a bit of an adrenaline rush. But
after pulling the lever, the roller coaster got stuck
on top of the loop as shown in Figure 17.

Figure 15. Elevation of the highest mechanical

energy

The result after pulling the lever for the second Figure 17. Scenario depicting the roller coaster
time was 26.2 m/s. It went faster however it was vehicle being stuck at the loop
still unable to reach 100 km/h because the track
doesn’t reach the ground. There is a need to To prevent the roller coaster from being stuck in
change the middle section of the track with the the loop, the height of the double-loop must be
fastest velocity as shown in Figure 16 below. maintained and the height of the starting point
must not be increased even further. Also, a motor
must be developed to provide the roller coaster
with initial velocity. In order to determine the
roller coaster's minimum initial velocity if it is
going to complete the double loop, the potential
energy at the top of the loop or how much energy
is required to reach the top of the loop were and kinetic energy have the same SI unit of 𝑘𝑔 ⋅
identified first. 𝑚2 /𝑠 𝑠 or Joules.

Equation 1 was used to find the minimum energy Upon calculating the three vehicles’ potential
required to reach the top of the loop. This is also energy at the top and kinetic energy at the
equivalent to the potential energy at the bottom of the track, the following were inferred
maximum height of the loop. As indicated in from the formula and findings:
Figure 18, with the given mass m = 300 kg and a. The heaviest vehicle weighing 8 kg has
maximum height h = 45 m, the calculated the greatest potential energy and kinetic
potential energy at the top of the loop is 𝐸𝑝 =132, energy compared to the other vehicles
300 J. with lesser mass. Additionally, mass is
considered in the formula of potential
energy (𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 ⋅ 𝑔 ⋅ ℎ) and kinetic
1
energy (𝐸𝑘 = 𝑚𝑣 2 ). Therefore, mass
2
directly affects potential energy and
Figure 18. Calculation of potential energy at the kinetic energy. As the mass of an object
top of the loop increases, the potential energy and
kinetic energy that an object possesses
The difference between the potential energy at also increases.
the start and the energy needed to reach the top b. The three vehicles with different masses
of the loop were used to compute the amount of have the same velocity of 6.3 m/s as they
additional energy that must be supplied to the reached the bottom of the track. Also,
starting position. The new motor was added to based on the formula of velocity, it only
the track and 29.7 m/s of velocity was achieved considers distance and time. Thus, the
after pulling the lever. mass of an object does not affect the
velocity.
Cavalida, Jose Emmanuel c. The potential energy on the highest point
Perez, Ysa Francine was equal to the kinetic energy on the
lowest point, with both having an equal
Conclusion value of 470 J. This is correlated with the
For this laboratory simulation, the principles of Law of Conservation of Energy which
Conservation of Energy were applied to states that although the potential energy
accomplish the activities utilizing the roller was converted to kinetic energy, the total
coaster vehicles and tracks. The Labster roller energy of the vehicle was still constant.
coaster was also successfully developed to reach
the velocity of 100 kilometers per hour. As the findings indicated, when the vehicle was
in the mid-point of its maximum height, the
By assessing the relationship between units and potential and kinetic energy were equivalent by
formulas, the concepts and equations used in the having similar values of 235 J. Moreover, since
laboratory simulation were understood. mechanical energy is defined as the sum of the
Moreover, it was determined that the potential potential and kinetic energy, it was calculated
that the mechanical energy is 470 J.
 Cheremisinoff, N. P. (2001). Condensed
Furthermore, it was determined that the energy encyclopedia of polymer engineering
needed by the roller coaster to reach the top of terms. Science Direct.
the loop is 132, 300 J. https://doi.org/10.1016/c2009-0-25687-
x
Lastly, it was concluded that the principles of the
Conservation of Energy, including the concepts Helmenstine, A. M. (2019, December 2).
with regards to potential energy, kinetic energy, Potential Energy Definition and
and mechanical energy, were understood and Formula. ThoughtCo.
established. Therefore, the objectives of the https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-
laboratory simulation were achieved. of-potential-energy-604611

Cariño, Sopha Helyne Lotha, G. (2019, January 2). Energy.

Encyclopaedia Britannica.
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