FTPE: Gravity

Potential Energy from Gravity

Gravitational energy can be added to your machine if there is a change in the height of the center of mass of the machine. The potential energy due to gravity is given by:

(m=mass, h=height change, and g=gravity which is 9.8m/s2)

The quickest that potential energy can be released is during a free fall (i.e. no friction). The fall time is given by:

Make estimation for realistic values for the maximum potential energy from gravity your machine can use during the contest (assume half the entire kit’s mass can be used for potential energy, and the height change is the maximum starting height of your robot). This is a relatively large estimate since it would be hard to get half your mass to make such a big drop.

Scale in Lab