Physical Science
Potential and Kinetic Energy Lab
Name____________________________ Date ___________ Period ____
Objectives:
1) Define, describe and show how to calculate potential energy.
2) Define, describe and show how to calculate kinetic energy.
3) Describe how potential and kinetic energy are related to the principle of conservation of energy.
Equations:
P.E. = m*g*h
K.E. = 1/2*m*v2
Station 1: Energy Conversions
Procedure:
1. Explain how energy is converted in the following examples (make sure to
explain ALL of the energy conversions involved!!)
2. Think about what energy is starting and then what is it being converted to and is
that being converted to any other type of energy.
Questions:
1. A wind-up toy that has a rubber band that has been twisted and let go.
2. A bouncy ball that has been dropped and bounces until it stops.
3. A diver jumps into the air and then lands on the diving board, causing it to bend,
which then causes the diver to propel into the air.
4. A ball thrown at a wall that falls to the ground and rolls backward to a stop. (Hint:
What is causing the ball to slow and stop? What type of energy does this
produce?)
5. A lightbulb being turned on.
6. A firecracker going off.
Station 2: Sketching the pendulum “Draw it Station”
Procedure;
1. Sketch the motion of the pendulum.
a. Identify where the pendulum had the greatest potential energy
b. Identify on your diagram where the pendulum had the greatest kinetic energy
c. Identify 2 locations where the pendulum has both kinetic and potential energy
Questions:
1. Explain why the pendulum has the greatest potential energy at the point you choose.
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2. Explain why the pendulum has the greatest kinetic energy at the point you choose.
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3. Does the motion of a pendulum support the notion of conservation of energy? Explain.
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Station 3: The mass station: “Mass and Potential Energy”
Hypothesis (Prediction)
1. What variables effect or change potential energy? ___________________
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2. What variables effect or change kinetic energy? _______________________ ______________________________________________________________
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Procedure:
1. Measure the mass of the objects listed below using the scale. Fill in the data table
2. Measure the height from the floor to the lab counters. Fill in the data table.
3. Measure the height from the ground to your tallest lab partner. Fill in the data table.
Object
1
1
2
2
3
3
Mass (kg)
Weight (N)
Distance
Description
Floor
Counter
Floor
Partner
Floor
Counter
Floor
Partner
Floor
Counter
Floor
Partner
Distance
(m)
Potential
Energy (J)
to
to
to
to
to
to
Questions:
1. Which object had the greatest potential energy? _________________________
2. Which object height resulted in the greatest potential energy? ______________
3. Explain the relationship between height, mass and potential energy? ________
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4. Would the potential energy of all these objects be different on the Moon? Explain?
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Station 4: Kinetic Energy Station “What variables affect kinetic energy”
Procedure:
1. Measure the mass of ball 1 and ball 2, record these values
2. Place one book under two rulers to create a ramp
3. Measure the height of the ramp
4. Release ball 1 and 2 then record the time it takes each ball to roll down the ramp
5. Calculate the speed of ball 1 and ball 2
6. Calculate the kinetic energy
7. Repeat steps 1-6 at a ramp height of 5 books
8. Repeat steps 1-6 for a ramp height of 10 books
9. Record this data in the data table
Ball #
1
2
1
2
1
2
Mass
(kg)
# of Height
Books (m)
1
1
5
5
10
10
Distance Time
(m)
(s)
1
1
1
1
1
1
Velocity
(m/s)
Kinetic
Energy (J)
Potential
Energy (J)
Questions:
1. Which ball had the greatest kinetic energy? Explain.
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2. Which ramp height had the greatest kinetic energy? Explain. ______________
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3. Which ramp ball combination started with the greatest potential energy; did this
combination result in the greatest kinetic energy? If not; why do you think it did not?
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4. If the ball was dropped from a height of 7 books, would the kinetic energy be more or
less
than
for
10
books?
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