The science report demonstrates the transformation of potential energy to kinetic energy through several experiments. In the first experiment, a stretched rubber band possesses potential energy that is transformed to kinetic energy when released. In the second, a ball held above the ground has potential energy due to its position that becomes kinetic energy when dropped and bouncing. Additional experiments compare the kinetic energy of different sized marbles rolled down a ramp, with larger marbles and marbles released from higher positions having greater potential and kinetic energy.
2. Demonstrate how energy can transform from
potential to kinetic
Explain how potential energy can be transformed
into kinetic energy
Relate kinetic energy and potential
3. Ball
Ruler
3 books
Stopwatch
Rubber bands
Plank of wood (foamboard)
2 marbles of different sizes
4.
5.
6.
7. A. Rubber Band
The rubber band had potential energy while it was
not in motion.
Its potential energy was transformed into kinetic
energy when it was stretched and released.
8. B. Bouncing Ball
The ball had potential energy while not in motion.
Its potential energy was transformed into kinetic
energy while it was bouncing.
9. Time
in
secon
ds
Top Middle
Marble 1st Trial 2nd
Trial
3rd
Trial
Averag
e
1st Trial 2nd
Trial
3rd
Trial
Averag
e
Small
marble
3 secs. 4 secs 3 secs 3.33
secs
5 secs 4 secs 5 secs 4.67
secs
Big
marble
4 secs. 6 secs 5 secs 5 secs 7 secs 7 secs 8 secs 7.33
second
s
10. Potential energy can be transformed into kinetic
energy when force is applied to an object.
11. Questions Answers
1. What energy does the stretched
rubber band possess?
The energy that the stretch rubber
possesses is potential energy.
2. What energy demonstrated the
movement of the rubber band---
potential or kinetic energy?
The energy that demonstrated the
movement of the rubber band is kinetic
energy.
3. What force converted the potential
energy of the ball to kinetic energy?
The force that converted the potential
energy of the ball to kinetic energy is
gravity.
4. What form of energy does the ball
(placed over your head) possess?
The form of energy that the ball (placed
over one’s head) possessed potential
energy.
5. Which marble has the most kinetic
energy---one moving fast or one
moving slowly?
The marble that has the most kinetic
energy is the one moving fast, because
the faster something is moving, the
more kinetic energy it has.
12. Questions Answers
6. Which marble has the most potential
energy?
The big marble has the most potential
energy, because the bigger an object is,
the more potential energy it has.
7. How did the height from which the
marble was released affect the kinetic
and potential energy of the marble?
The higher the height the marble was
released from, the faster the marble will
go, which means more kinetic energy
will be transformed from potential
energy.
8. How does the size of the marble
affect its motion?
The smaller the marble, the faster it will
go down the ramp.
9. Which marble moved faster---one
released from the top of the ramp or
one released from the middle of the
ramp?
The marble released from the top of the
ramp moved faster.
10. Do the marbles on top of the ramp
have energy?
Yes. They have potential energy.