last updated: 10/9/2002
(this sample is an example of a well-written abstract submitted by a Physics 21 student this fall. Please note that this represents only one of many ways to write a good abstract, and you should be view it only as an example, not as a model to be followed exactly)
The Work-Energy Theorem was verified using a glider and fence pulled by a weighted pulley over an airtrack through two photogates attached to a computerized timer. After leveling the airtrack, as the glider was pushed - sending it at a constant velocity through the photogates, the uncertainty in the velocity was calculated using the average of ten trials. Then velocities were measured as a weight, hanging from a string over a pulley, pulled the glider through the two photogates (Trial A). While varying both the starting distance (Trial B) and the mass of the weighted pulley (Trial C), the Kinetic Energy change was calculated from the velocities, and then compared to the calculated value of Work done by the system. According to the Work-Energy Theorem, these two values should equal each other. Trials A and C verified the Theorem with work values 2.7% and 0.8% higher respectively than the value of Kinetic Energy change, accounted for by the pulley friction. Trial B, however, produced unexpected results—-a lower amount of Work than change in Kinetic Energy.