Marshmallow catapult Aim The aim of the experiment is to determine the relationship between how far the rubber band travels when the length of the catapult arm is increased. The distance that the catapult arm is pulled back will not change. Research question: What is the relationship between the length of the catapult arm and the distance the marshmallow travels? Hypothesis If the length of the catapult arm is increased then a higher amount of kinetic energy will be transferred to the marshmallow, therefore causing the marshmallow to travel a further distance. When the catapult arm is increased in length, the elastic potential energy will increase. When the catapult arm is released, due to the distance that it has been pulled back (which …show more content…
Energy can exist in kinetic, potential, thermal, nuclear, chemical, light, elasticity, gravitational, heat, sound and other forms. The law of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed - only converted from one form of energy to another. Proving that whether energy is transferred or transformed during the experiment, it will never be destroyed. Transformation of energy is where one type of energy is transformed into another type. An example of this is when a battery with stored chemical energy is transformed into electrical energy. Transfer of energy is where the same type of energy is transferred from one object to another whilst remaining the same type of energy. An example of this is when a hot cup of tea’s heat energy is transferred to a metal spoon through conduction. Elastic potential energy is generated as the catapult arm is pulled back. The elastic potential energy is then transferred into kinetic energy as the marshmallow is flung. That kinetic energy is then transferred into sound and heat energy as gravity brings the marshmallow down to meet the ground. Conduction is generated as heat is directly transferred through the friction between the marshmallow and the floor. The KE of the projectile is KE= 1/2 m v2 m = mass and v = velocity claims that the further the further you pull back the arm the more elastic potential energy you store, which results in a greater amount of kinetic energy. Which causes the marshmallow to travel a further distance each time the throwing arm gets