Rubber Band Lab

Big Questions:
1. How can we store energy to do work for us later?
2. How does the force it takes to stretch a rubber band depend on the amount by which you stretch it?

Intro:
This week in physics we see how energy is being stored.  This was achieved using a rubber band, a force probe,  and some air! We would loop the rubber band stretch it to a certain distance and recorded the amount of force necessary.  Following that, we looped it over double and repeated the process.  

Data:

Key for Variables:
m = meters (height)
N = newtons (force)
k = elastic constant
Fs = force needed to stretch
x = distance stretched
Us = elastic potential energy

Following that, the goup formed an equation! 

I missed the rest of the week, so derivation of the the equation is hard to explain, but by plugging the variables k, Fs, and x into y=mx+b we were able to form it and make it more relatable to physics.  Force belonged to the y-axis and distance was on the x-axis, so we knew that the y variable would become Fs and the x variable would  then correlate to x.  Slope come out to be 60 n/m.

Real world connection:
One major part of our childhood that most kids love playing with is the slingshot.  Such a simple yet super fun invention!  In order to hit something (or someone) with a slingshot you need to pull it back a certain distance.  This directly applies to the lab because in order to pull the slingback you had to apply a certain amount of force.