Download An object can store energy as the result of its position. For example

Name _________________________________________ Date ________________ Period ____________
Energy Skate Park PhET Lab
Today, you will use the Energy Skate Park Lab to explore energy transformations and determine how the
position of a skater affects his speed and potential and kinetic energies.
An object can store energy as the result of its position. For example, the heavy ball of a
demolition machine is storing energy when it is held at an elevated position. This stored
energy of position is referred to as potential energy. Similarly, a drawn bow is able to
store energy as the result of its position. When assuming its usual position (i.e., when
not drawn), there is no energy stored in the bow. Yet when its position is altered from
its usual equilibrium position, the bow is able to store energy by virtue of its position.
This stored energy of position is referred to as potential energy. Potential energy is
the stored energy of position possessed by an object.
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. An object that has motion - whether it is vertical or
horizontal motion - has kinetic energy. There are many forms of kinetic energy - vibrational (the
energy due to vibrational motion), rotational (the energy due to rotational motion), and
translational (the energy due to motion from one location to another).
Beginning Observations
1) Open the Energy Skate Park PhET Simulation under the Cool Links tab on my Website. What can you
change about the simulation?
2) On the Energy Graphs on the right, select “Show Pie Chart”. What three types of energy are show in
the chart? Write the three types and their definitions below.
Name _________________________________________ Date ________________ Period ____________
Part 1 – Energy Transformations
1) Create your own track using the pieces in the upper left or select one of the premade tracks (Click on
the “Tracks” link in the upper left, next to File). In the space below, draw your track and mark four points
on your track that you would like to investigate.
2) Fill in the predictions column by sketching what you think the Energy pie chart will look like for the
ball at your four points. Then, use the simulation to test your ideas and explain any differences.
Point
1
Prediction
Simulation
Explain Differences
2
3
4
3) The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Therefore,
energy can only be transformed. Use this statement to answer the questions that follow. You can click
on the Energy vs. Position and the Energy vs. Time graphs to help you visualize./
a) What type(s) of energy did the skater have at the skater’s highest point?
b) What type(s) of energy did the skater have at his lowest point?
c) What type of energy transformation did you see between the highest and lowest point in the motion
of the skater?
Name _________________________________________ Date ________________ Period ____________
Part 2 – Relating Speed to Potential and Kinetic Energy
4) Label a-e on the track where you predict the
skater will be/is
a) at his maximum speed
b) stopped
c) going his average speed
d) going slow
e) going fast
5) On the graph to the right label a-e where you predict
the skater is
a) at his maximum speed
b) stopped
c) going his average speed
d) going slow
e) going fast
6) Test your ideas using the Double Well Roller Coaster track.
a) Make any modifications to your answers in RED on the images for Questions 4 and 5.
b) If one of your friends asked you for help in making sense of the type of graph in Question 4. How
would you explain what it is showing? *Consider: What is on each axis? What types of energy are being
graphed?
c) Using the graph in Question 5, what can you say about the total energy of the skater?
Name _________________________________________ Date ________________ Period ____________
Post Lab
7) The diagram below shows a frictionless track.
Assume a skater were to complete the track. At which positions is the sum of the potential and kinetic
energy of the same? Explain.
8) Using the diagram in Question 7, assume that the skater moves from point 1 to point 2. What type of
energy transformation would exist in the movement between those two points?