NAME_____________________________________________________________D_________P_______
REMEMBER: Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object as the result of its vertical position or height.
There is a direct relation between gravitational potential energy and the mass of an object. More massive objects have greater gravitational potential energy. There is also a direct relation between gravitational potential energy and the height of an object. The higher that an object is elevated, the greater the gravitational potential energy. These relationships are expressed by the following equation:
PE grav
= mass • g • height
PE grav
= m *• g • h
Procedure:
1.
Take the pink rubber band and stretch it back to 30 cm. Hold it a height of zero cm off the ground. (Keep the meter stick parallel to
the ground for all Launches).
2.
Launch it and record your distance. Then
Launch the blue then the purple. Repeat 2 more times.
3.
Then change your distance off the ground to
50 cm and launch each rubber band 3 times, record your data.
4.
Then change your distance off the ground to 100cm and launch each rubber band 3 times, record your data.
1.
Which rubber band do you think has the most potential energy? Why?

Distance off the ground (m)
Pink 0 m
Distance traveled (m)
Distance traveled (m)
Distance traveled (m)
Average
Distance
Traveled
(m)
Pink 0.50 m
Pink 1.0 m
Purple 0 m
Purple 0.50 m
Purple 1.00 m
Blue 0 m
Blue 0.50 m
Blue 1.00 m
1.
Which height had the most potential energy for each rubber band?
Gravitational PE
2.
Which had the least potential energy for each rubber band?
3.
Which color of rubber band went the farthest distance (average)?
4.
What does #3 tell you about the potential energy in the rubber band? (think type of PE)
5.
Look at your response to questions 3 and 4 put the rubber bands in order of their potential energy?
6.
What can you conclude about gravitational potential energy?