Lab: Conservation of angular momentum and energy

Lab: Conservation of angular momentum and energy

Purpose:
Calculate the height that the meter stick can reach after releasing from horizontal position and hitting the clay at the lowest point by applying the concept of conservation of angular momentum and energy.

Equipment:
meter stick, clay, video capturer

Experiment:
1. Set up the apparatus as the pictures show.
2. Calculate the theoretical value before doing the experiment.
3. Put a clay at the lowest point of the meter stick's path.
4. Release the meter stick from the horizontal position with the other end pinned.
5. Record the motion and use LogPro to measure the highest point that the meter stick reaches.
6. Compare the actual value to the theoretical value.

Calculation:

Conclusion:

The theoretical value is 0.108cm, and the actual value is 0.08cm. Within a aspectable error, the angular momentum and energy is conserved.