Emily Huffman

Quakenbush
Grade Level Physics, period 6
February 20, 2015
Work and Energy and Impulse and Momentum Conclusion Questions
In this lab, we were trying to test the work-kinetic energy theorem and the impulse
momentum theorem. To test this, we gradually added weight to the car and measured how the
time varied depending on the amount of net force exerted. We did several trials in order to get an
accurate measure, and so that we could take the average and allow our calculations to be as
accurate as possible.
The work-kinetic energy theorem is when a net force does work on an object and changes
the speed. This was tested in the lab when we added more weight, or force, and measured how
the time changed. The energy from the work done by the net force turns into kinetic energy,
hence the work-kinetic energy theorem. As the weight increases, the time decreased which
proved the theorem.
The impulse-momentum theory is basically that any impulse acting on a system changes
the systems momentum. This is generally associated with the equation that states that the final
momentum of an object must equal its initial momentum. In other words, momentum is
conserved. We saw this in our lab because we had to calculate momentum and see how it
changed both with the weight of the cart and with the speed changing.
Our lab results turned out a little unpredictable, entirely due to human error. Our data was
good, however we struggled with interpreting it. From my understanding, the work-kinetic
energy theorem was proven due to the fact that the speed increased when the weight increased,
which shows that the potential energy was being converted into kinetic energy and being used.
The change in momentum in our data was not exactly accurate compared to what it should have

been in theory, but that is most likely due to human error either in taking the data or in
calculations.