Analysis of Energy Transfer
in the Pole Vault
Megan Reeve '05

Abstract:

   The purpose of this study was to examine energy transfer in the track and field event called the pole vault. St. Lawrence athletes were videotaped during different vaults, and their position as a function of time was extracted using the Videopoint software system. Weights were assigned to each body part whose motion was traced throughout the jump in order to find the path of the center of mass. The motion of the center of mass was used to calculate kinetic and potential energy of the jumper as a function of time. Rotational kinetic energy is also calculated to keep the total energy constant. The pole energy was analyzed as if the pole were an elastic spring whose energy varies as the length of the pole is changed. The total energy was found to be constant, meaning energy is conserved throughout the jump.

   For more information, contact Dr. Catherine Jahncke:

Return To 2005 Senior Projects

©	St. Lawrence University	Department of Physics

Revised: 06 May 2005

Canton, NY 13617