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    Elastic Potential Energy in the Rubber Band

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    nicolebalaong7

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Elastic Potential Energy in the Rubber Band

    Uploaded by

    nicolebalaong7
    0 views2 pages

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    0 views2 pages

    Elastic Potential Energy in the Rubber Band

    Uploaded by

    nicolebalaong7

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Elastic Potential Energy in the Rubber Band

    When you stretch a rubber band on a launcher, you are doing work on it by applying a
    force that stretches the band. This stretching stores energy in the rubber band in the form
    of elastic potential energy. The amount of elastic potential energy stored depends on how
    far the rubber band is stretched (which is related to Hooke's Law) and the material
    properties of the rubber band.

    • Hooke’s Law states that the force needed to stretch a spring (or elastic material) is
    proportional to the distance it is stretched, up to the material's elastic limit.
    Mathematically, it is expressed as:

    𝐹 = 𝑘∙𝑥

    Where:

    o F is the force applied to stretch the rubber band,

    o k is the spring constant (a measure of the stiffness of the rubber band),

    o x is the displacement from the rubber band's original, unstretched length.

    The elastic potential energy Ep stored in the stretched rubber band is given by:

    1
    𝐸𝑝 = 𝑘𝑥 2
    2

    This formula shows that the energy stored increases with the square of the stretching
    distance.

    Law of Conservation of Energy

    The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed
    but can be transferred from one form to another. In the case of the rubber band launcher:

    1. Loading the Rubber Band (Elastic Potential Energy): When you pull the rubber band
    back, the mechanical work you do on the rubber band is stored as elastic potential
    energy.

    2. Releasing the Rubber Band (Conversion to Kinetic Energy): When you release the
    rubber band, the stored elastic potential energy is rapidly converted into kinetic
    energy as the band snaps back to its relaxed state. The rubber band’s speed
    increases as it is propelled forward, transferring the kinetic energy to the rubber band
    and anything it launches.
    3. Energy Transformation: If we ignore friction and air resistance, the total mechanical
    energy of the system remains constant. All the elastic potential energy stored in the
    stretched rubber band is converted into kinetic energy as the band flies through the
    air. This demonstrates the conservation of mechanical energy, where:

    𝑀𝐸𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 + 𝐾𝐸𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

    In real-world situations, some of the energy is also transformed into heat due to
    internal friction within the rubber band and sound energy when the band is released. These
    additional forms of energy, however, still follow the law of conservation of energy, as the
    total energy of the system (kinetic, thermal, sound) is conserved.

    Practical Example

    When you use the rubber band launcher to launch an object, like a small paper ball,
    the elastic potential energy is transferred to the object in the form of kinetic energy. As the
    object flies through the air, it demonstrates that the stored energy has been successfully
    transformed, adhering to the conservation of energy principle.

    In summary, an improvised rubber band launcher is a practical demonstration of how


    elastic potential energy can be stored and then converted into kinetic energy, illustrating
    the law of conservation of energy as energy is transferred from one form to another without
    being lost.

    Task: Design a game where pairs in a group of ten (10) members need to build and use an
    improvised rubber band launcher.

    The objective of the game may vary. It could be a game where the winner is the one who
    is able to hit targets or launches a crumpled paper the farthest.

    Video record a demonstration of the game rules and procedure. Discuss briefly each key
    concept of the game.

    Output/s:

    • 1 whole sheet of paper (name of game, rules and procedures)


    • 3-5 minute video recording of game demonstration

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