Soaring Straws Lab

This experiment showed us the relationship between GPE and EPE. To find out the relationship, we used rockets made out of straws and toilet paper tubes. To represent EPE we used rubber bands to stretch the rocket and make it fly. Then, we measured the height. The stretch was the manipulative variable and the height was the responding variable. When we stretched the rubber band 5cm, our height was 1.06m. This meant the amount of GPE was 16.63mJ. Next we increased the stretch. We made it 6cm and the resulting height was 2.2m. The GPE was 34.53mJ. Whee the stretch was 8cm, the resulting height was 2.54m. Again, the GPE increased to 39.87mJ. This data showed the the relationship between EPE and GPE was that, the more elastic potential energy there is, the more gravitational potential energy there is.

We made a few mistakes during this lab. For example, we failed to realize that the height was not entirely accurate. This was because we did not subtract the height of the rocket from the height of the ground. Also, the measurement was not entirely accurate, for we could not see the meter stick the split second the rocket stopped on the air. Also, the rocket kept hitting the ceiling so this did not make the the results accurate. To make this lab better I would perform it outside. Also i would tape meter sticks together so we would not have to guess the height if it goes above the meter stick.