7-Oct-2014 Magnetic Potential Energy #13

Purpose

The purpose of this lab is to derive a Magnetic Potential Energy equation. The way we will accomplish this is by measuring the magnetic force of two opposing magnets with one attached to a glider and also the distance they are apart at a certain angle. With the data we collect we have to create a force vs time graph and integrate in order for us to find the work done by the magnets.

The apparatus we set up included an air track, glider, a lot of books to create angles, a magnet attached to both ends and an air pump.

 The above graph shows the set up we used for gathering our data. We put a phone that measures the angle on the apparatus.

These are the distances along with the forces and distances measured. We recorded 10 data points to try and find the best graph.

We used a curve fit to get the force equations point at F=(3.983*10^-5)r^-2.711. Then once we have that we have to integrate and multiply by the opposite sign in order for use to get the potential energy.

 With this integral we plug it into LoggerPro and measure the distance of the magnets and their velocity using a motion sensor. Then once done we found our graphs total Energy that is relatively linear and our Kinetic, Potential and total on the bottom graph. These last graph are suppose to look like sine graphs but there must have been an interruption when recording that is why there is a dip.

Just for the fun of it here is a drawing of the students in the group along with the professor. :)