Download Measuring Kinetic and Potential Energy

Names:_______________________________________________________
Measuring Kinetic and Potential Energy
Directions: Using the materials provided complete the following activities and
answer all of the questions. Half of the groups will be working on parts 1 and 2,
while the other 3 groups will be working on parts 3 and 4, then groups will switch.
Part 1: Using wind-up toys to compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy.
1. Predict how increasing the elastic potential energy of a wind-up toy’s spring will
affect the length of time the toy runs.
2. Test your predictions by comparing how long the toy runs when wound one, two
and three turns. Let it run in your hands; don’t make it fight gravitational
energy by running it on your desk.
Toy 1 - _______________________
Number of turns
Run time
1
2
3
Toy 2 - _____________________
Number of turns
1
2
3
Run time
3. What type of energy do you use to wind up the toy and where did your energy
come from?
4. What type of energy does the toy use to move? Optional extension…what does
that energy get converted into?
5. How do you increase the toy’s potential energy?
6. How does increased potential energy affect the toy’s kinetic energy? What
data do you have to support your conclusion?
Names:_______________________________________________________
Part 2 - Energy Conversions: Using a balloon, a flashlight, an electronic device
(heating pad, hair dryer, light) and a piece of fruit – trace the path of energy to
and through the object (identify and record the energy type and conversions that
take place for each object). Describe where the stored energy comes from, how
it is stored, what it is changed to and how it ends up. The 9 types of energy are
listed on the back – you will need to include elastic potential energy for the balloon.
A BALLOON: blow it up and let the air out (DO NOT LET THE BALLOON FLY ACROSS THE ROOM!!) –
A FLASHLIGHT:
An ELECTRONIC DEVICE: Write the type of device here_________________
A PIECE OF FRUIT:
Names:_______________________________________________________
Part 3: Using the cars, stop watches, meter sticks and balances (located on the
back tables) determine the amount of kinetic energy for each car. You will need to
recall (or look up) the equation for kinetic energy and you will need to measure mass
and velocity (velocity = distance/time; velocity is measured in meters/second).
Record your results here…
Cars…
Car description
Mass
(g)
Distance
travelled
(meters)
Time
(seconds)
Velocity
(m/sec)
Kinetic
Energy
(g.m2/s2)
1
2
3
1. Which car has the greatest kinetic energy?
2. Why does the car you chose for question 1 have the greatest kinetic energy?
3. How can you increase a moving object’s kinetic energy? There are two things
you can change that will result in a change in kinetic energy.
Names:_______________________________________________________
Part 4: Theory states that gravitational potential energy depends on mass.
Using the 3 different size marbles, the balance, the meter stick and the shoe box
(on the front table)…see if you can collect data that supports this theory.
Measure and record the mass of each marble. Controlling this experiment for
height (that means… use the same height for each trial) drop the marbles (one at a
time) into the shoebox. Make and record observations about the dent (first dent if the marble bounces) made by each marble.
Height of drops:__________
Gravitational
Potential Energy
Marble…
Mass (g)
Observations of the dent
Rank from
1(most) – 3(least)
1- Smallest
2 – Medium
3 – Biggest
1. Which marble had the most energy? How do you know?
2. Does the data you collected support the theory that gravitational potential
energy depends on mass? Explain.
Names:_______________________________________________________
9 TYPES OF ENERGY
Chemical energy is stored in the bonds of molecules. This is a form of potential energy until the
bonds are broken. Fossil fuels and biomass store chemical energy.
Electrical energy is the movement of electrically charged particles. Lightning, and static
electricity are examples of electrical energy that occur naturally. Science hasn't found a way to
use natural forms of electrical energy, like lightning. Instead, we use different energy sources to
create electrical energy by using generators and turbines.
Gravitational energy is the attraction between two objects. The moon in its orbit around the
earth, the earth in its orbit around the sun, the ocean's tides, your ability to stay on the ground
instead of floating into the atmosphere are all examples of gravitational energy.
Thermal (Heat) energy is created in the movement of atoms. Boiling water, burning wood, and
rubbing your hands together really fast are all examples of heat energy. Geothermal, and passive
solar are sources of heat energy, but biomass (a type of chemical energy) can be burned to produce
heat energy.
Electromagnetic (Light) energy is the movement of photons. (The light spectrum of
electromagnetic waves shows light energy.) All life on earth is dependent on light energy from the
sun. Examples of light energy include radio waves (AM, FM, TV), microwaves, X-rays, and plant
growth. Active solar energy uses photovoltaic panels and light to turn light energy into chemical
energy.
Magnetic energy is the attraction of objects made of iron. Medical equipment (MRI scanning),
compass, refrigerator magnets are all examples of magnetic energy. Any type of energy source that
uses a generator in the process to make electricity uses magnetic energy.
Mechanical energy is the movement of machine parts. Wind-up toys, grandfather clocks, and
pogo sticks are examples of mechanical energy. Wind power uses mechanical energy to help create
electricity.
Nuclear energy is the energy stored within atoms. Nuclear energy is unusual in that it can give
off energy in the form of light or heat, but it is the change in the atom's makeup that produces the
energy. Submarines, power plants, and smoke detectors all use nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants
use uranium, a radioactive element, to create electricity.
Sound energy is the movement molecules in the air that produces vibrations. Alarms, music,
speech, ultrasound medical equipment all use sound energy. VCR tapes change sound energy into
electrical energy. The electrical energy records the sound using magnetic tape. Speakers read the
magnetic tape and change it back into sound.