Rube Goldberg Calculations

Alma Wolf and Cecilia Compton

Calculation 1:
a.
funnel

Velocity of marble dropping from

Velocity=distance /time
Velocity (measured with Photogate):

1.96 m/s 2

Calculation 2: Conservation of Energy for marble

dropping from funnel

Gravitational Potential Energy=massgravityheight

PE=0.021739.80.4826
PE=0.10277 Joules
Kinetic Energy=1/2massvelocity2
KE=1/20.021731.9 62
KE=0.010863.8416
KE=0.04173 Joules
Percent Efficiency=KE/ PE100
E=40

Calculation 3:
a. Ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of
teeter totter

Resistance Distance=10 cm=0.1 m

Effort Distance=4.8 cm=0.048 m
IMA=ED / RD
IMA=0.048 /0.1
Ideal Mechanical Advantage=0.48

Calculation 4: Conservation of Energy of brown marble

Potential Energy=massgravityheight
PE=0.019549.80.0889
PE=0.017 Joules
Kinetic Energy=1/2mv
Velocity=distance /time
V =0.15 m/.16 s
V =0.93 m/ s
KE=1/20.019540.93
KE=0.009

Percent Efficiency=KE / PE100

E=0.009/0.017
E=52