RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK AND KINETIC ENERGY
Introduction In this experiment you will watch three videos to verify the work kinetic energy theorem. The work-kinetic energy theorem states:
1 1
W = ∆K = ------ mv² - -----mv ²
2 ᶠ 2 ᴼ

Equipment Computer simulations.
Experiment Part 1 – Constant Force Parallel to the Block’s Velocity
The video is of a 1kg block that is being pushed across a frictionless surface by a constant force that is parallel to the block’s velocity. A force (in Newtons) vs. position (in meters) graph appears below the simulation.
A kinetic energy (in Joules) vs. position (in meters) graph is also plotted for the motion.
Be aware that the simulation plays very rapidly. Click the pause button so that you have time to read the graphs while answering the following questions.

Q1.1 What is the magnitude of the force acting on the block?
Q1.2 Describe, in words, how you would use the force vs. position graph in the simulation to obtain a value for the work done on the block after the block has moved a given distance. Be specific! Simply saying “read the graph” is not sufficient! Indicate what aspect of the graph you must read.
Q1.3 Describe, in words, how you would use the kinetic energy vs. position graph in the simulation to obtain the change in kinetic energy of the block after the block has moved a given distance. Again, be specific!
Q1.4 Choose a distance and use the procedure you described in question Q1.2 to determine the work done on the block.
Q1.5 What distance did you choose when you determined the work in Q1.4?
Q1.6 Use the procedure you described in question 1.3 to determine the change in kinetic energy of the block when the block travels the distance that you chose in question 1.4.
Q1.7 How do your answers to questions 1.4 and 1.6 compare? What can you
conclude?

Experiment Part 2 – Non Constant Force Parallel to the Block’s Velocity
The video is of a 1kg block that is being pushed across a frictionless surface by a non-constant force that is parallel to the block’s velocity. A force (in Newtons) vs. position (in meters) graph appears below the simulation. A kinetic energy (in Joules) vs. position (in meters) graph is also plotted for the motion.
Q2.1 Choose a distance and use the procedure you described in question Q1.2 to determine the work done on the block. Show your work.
Q2.2 What distance did you choose when you determined the work in Q2.1?
Q2.3 Use the procedure you described in question 1.3 to determine the change in kinetic energy of the block when the block travels the distance that you chose in question 2.1. Show your work.
Q2.4 How do your answers to questions 2.1 and 2.3 compare? What can you
conclude?

Experiment Part 3 –Constant Force that is not Parallel to the Block’s Velocity
Open the video at the following link. You may click the link if you are viewing this lab online
The video is of a 1kg block that is being pushed across a frictionless surface by a constant force that is not parallel to the block’s velocity. A force (in Newtons) vs. position (in meters) graph appears below the simulation. Note that the graph shows the x-component of the force in blue (i.e., the middle line), the y-component in red (i.e., the bottom line) and the magnitude of the force in green (i.e., the top line). A kinetic energy (in Joules) vs. position (in meters) graph is also plotted for the motion.
Q3.1 Choose a distance and use the procedure you described in question Q1.2 to determine the work done on the block. Which force did you use? Show your work.
Q3.2 What distance did you choose when you determined the work in Q3.1?
Q3.3 Use the procedure you described in question 1.3 to determine the change in kinetic energy of the block when the block travels the distance that you chose in question 3.1. Show your work.
Q3.4 How do your answers to questions 3.1 and 3.3 compare? What can you conclude?

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK AND KINETIC ENERGY Introduction In this...