Energy!
Energy is everywhere!
This experiment teaches the difference between energy that is saved up and energy that is being used. Scientists call
this potential energy and kinetic energy.
What you will need:
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A table
Two ramps: one short and one tall
A toy to slide down the ramps
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Leave one section of the table clear.
Next to the blank space, set up the low ramp.
Next to the low ramp, set up the tall ramp.
Set up:
The Experiment:
1. Put the toy on the flat surface. Notice whether or not it moves. The toy should remain still since it has no
stored energy.
2. Have the toy “climb” up the short side of the short ramp and stop at the top of the slide. The toy now has
stored energy.
3. Let go of the toy. Notice whether or not it moves. When it moves, it is using the stored energy. Stored
energy has become used energy.
4. Have the toy “climb” up the short side of the tall ramp and stop at the top of the slide. The toy now has
stored energy.
5. Let go of the toy. Notice whether or not it moves. When it moves, it is using the stored energy.
Observations:
1. The toy on the flat surface did not “climb”. It had no stored energy to use.
2. The toy on the low ramp “climbed” a short distance. It had a small amount of stored energy which it
changed into used energy on its way down the ramp.
3. The toy on the steep ramp “climbed” a high distance. It had a lot of stored energy which it changed into
used energy on its way down the ramp.
Try this at home!
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Next time you go to a park try going down slides that are different heights. Do you store and use more
energy on the tall slides or the short slides?
Make your own ramps using blocks, pillows, or odds & ends. You can make ramps from cutting boards
on shoeboxes, baking trays on blocks, or even big books leaned on pillows. Experiment with different
angles and different objects. Higher ramps let objects store more energy. The more potential energy an
object has, the greater its kinetic energy.