Lab 9 Energy Skate Park
Skate park design uses conservation of mechanical energy, where kinetic and potential energy convert without loss, ensuring the skater safely completes loops, jumps, and slopes on a frictionless track.
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Student directions Energy Skate Park
Introduction to Conservation of Mechanical Energy
hl tp://phet.coh>i~adoAtdu/sinis/litnil/encruy-skate-pai-k/latest/eneruy-skate -park en.hlml
Part I
Learning Goals: Students will be able to
* Explain the Conservation of Mechanical Energy concept using kinetic and
gravitational potential energy.
• Design a skate park using the concept of Mechanical energy
1. Investigate what affects the skater s path. You should try adding some track, changing
shapes or building jumps. (There's no friction on the track)
I experimented with adding extra track to create a hill and a loop, and I measured
several heights to sec whicn would work best.
2. Explain how you could use your investigation to plan a track that is fun, challenging and
one that is relatively safe. You might think for example: When does he: fly off an end?
make it to the lop a hill? or land a jump?
To add excitement and difficulty, the skater began high, descended quickly into a loop, ascended a
steep slope, and finished by running down the track to the earth. Because the circle is not too high,
they started at a height that is sufficient and they arc moving quickly enough to complete the loop,
reach a very high hi IL and safely return to the earth, it will be safe.
3. Build a good track and sketch it. Then use the Energy Graphs to study the
Skater's energy.
• Decide which graphs or chart best helps you understand what makes your
track successful
-Energy position graph.
• Look in your text to find out what the Conservation of Mechanical Energy means and
explain it in your own words.
-The principle of conservation of mechanical energy states that the total mechanical
energy in a system stays constant as long as conservative forces are the only forces
operating. For example, if there is no friction on the path, the mechanical energy in
the system will remain constant.
• Explain why your track is successful in terms of Conservation of Mechanical
Energy. Include drawings of the Chart or Graphs to help explain your reasoning.
-Since the track is made to balance the kinetic and potential energies of the item as it
goes through iL it can be seen why it is successful in maintaining mechanical energy
conservation. The item accumulates kinetic energy as it descends the track from its
high potential energy starting point. The item obtains potential energy and loses
kinetic energy as it rises once again. If there is no friction in the system, the object's
total mechanical energy (potential energy plus kinetic energy) stays constant while it
travels along the track. This indicates that the energy acquired when moving an
object from a low position to a high point is equivalent to the energy lost when
Introduction to Conservation of Mechanical Energy
hl tp://phet.coh>i~adoAtdu/sinis/litnil/encruy-skate-pai-k/latest/eneruy-skate -park en.hlml
Part I
Learning Goals: Students will be able to
* Explain the Conservation of Mechanical Energy concept using kinetic and
gravitational potential energy.
• Design a skate park using the concept of Mechanical energy
1. Investigate what affects the skater s path. You should try adding some track, changing
shapes or building jumps. (There's no friction on the track)
I experimented with adding extra track to create a hill and a loop, and I measured
several heights to sec whicn would work best.
2. Explain how you could use your investigation to plan a track that is fun, challenging and
one that is relatively safe. You might think for example: When does he: fly off an end?
make it to the lop a hill? or land a jump?
To add excitement and difficulty, the skater began high, descended quickly into a loop, ascended a
steep slope, and finished by running down the track to the earth. Because the circle is not too high,
they started at a height that is sufficient and they arc moving quickly enough to complete the loop,
reach a very high hi IL and safely return to the earth, it will be safe.
3. Build a good track and sketch it. Then use the Energy Graphs to study the
Skater's energy.
• Decide which graphs or chart best helps you understand what makes your
track successful
-Energy position graph.
• Look in your text to find out what the Conservation of Mechanical Energy means and
explain it in your own words.
-The principle of conservation of mechanical energy states that the total mechanical
energy in a system stays constant as long as conservative forces are the only forces
operating. For example, if there is no friction on the path, the mechanical energy in
the system will remain constant.
• Explain why your track is successful in terms of Conservation of Mechanical
Energy. Include drawings of the Chart or Graphs to help explain your reasoning.
-Since the track is made to balance the kinetic and potential energies of the item as it
goes through iL it can be seen why it is successful in maintaining mechanical energy
conservation. The item accumulates kinetic energy as it descends the track from its
high potential energy starting point. The item obtains potential energy and loses
kinetic energy as it rises once again. If there is no friction in the system, the object's
total mechanical energy (potential energy plus kinetic energy) stays constant while it
travels along the track. This indicates that the energy acquired when moving an
object from a low position to a high point is equivalent to the energy lost when
moving the object from a high point to a low point. A fundamental tenet of physics,
the conservation of mechanical energy applies to a wide range of systems, including
rollercoasters, A roller coaster track’s capacity to deliver an exhilarating and
pleasurable ride frequently depends on how well the designer applies the theory of
conservation of mechanical energy to maintain a balance between potential and
kinetic energy throughout the ride.
4. Using the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy, explain what things need to be
considered when designing any successful track.
You must consider the skater's requirements for both kinetic and potential energy, and
ensure that, even when they fluctuate, they remain equal throughout. Additionally, we
need to guarantee that the overall energy level never changes. To keep the track
enjoyable and safe and to slop any potentially harmful incidents. Additionally, we
must guarantee that the overall energy content never changes, help keep the track
enjoyable and safe while averting any potentially harmful mishaps.
the conservation of mechanical energy applies to a wide range of systems, including
rollercoasters, A roller coaster track’s capacity to deliver an exhilarating and
pleasurable ride frequently depends on how well the designer applies the theory of
conservation of mechanical energy to maintain a balance between potential and
kinetic energy throughout the ride.
4. Using the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy, explain what things need to be
considered when designing any successful track.
You must consider the skater's requirements for both kinetic and potential energy, and
ensure that, even when they fluctuate, they remain equal throughout. Additionally, we
need to guarantee that the overall energy level never changes. To keep the track
enjoyable and safe and to slop any potentially harmful incidents. Additionally, we
must guarantee that the overall energy content never changes, help keep the track
enjoyable and safe while averting any potentially harmful mishaps.
Part 2
[.earning Goals: Students will be able to:
• Describe Energy -Pic, -Bar, and -Position Charts from position or selected speeds.
1. Explain howr changing the Skater affects the situations above.
2. Explain howr changing the surface friction affects the situations above.
• Predict position or estimate of speed from Energy -PieT -Bar, and -Position Charts
• Look at the position of an object and use the Energy -Pic, - Bar. and -Position charts
to predict direction of travel or change in speed.
I. Josie made a friclionless hot wheel track that
looks like the one shown. She placed a red rubber
ball on the left lop of track at I .
a. Make a data table like the one below
b. Fill in the Prediction column by sketching
what you think the Pic chart will look like for
the ball al points 1-4.
c. Use the 1jx>p Track with the Ball Skater to
test your ideas and make any adjustments
Pie chart
Prediction Simulation Explain differences
1 Kinetic Energy = 0%
Potential Energy =
100%
Thermal Energy = 0%
Kinetic Energy = 0%'
Potential Energy =
100%
Thermal Energy = 0%
There is neither kinetic nor thermal energy
since there is no motion nor friction. But
because the ball is so high up, there is a lot of
potential energy.
2 Kinetic Energy = 90% Kinetic Energy = 75%
Potential Energy = 10%:Potential Energy = 25%
Thermal Energy = 0% Thermal Energy = 0%
As the ball travels down the track, its kinetic
energy increases, but its potential energy
decreases as it approaches the surface. Since
there is no friction, there is no heat energy.
3 Kinetic Energy = 55% Kinetic Energy = 50%
Potential Energy = 45%:Potential Energy = 50%
Thermal Energy = 0% Thermal Energy = 0%
Since the ball loses speed as it rises in
altitude, its kinetic energy decreases. Due to
the ball's increased height, potential energy
has increased. Since there is no friction, there
is no heal energy.
4 Kinetic Energy = 10% Kinetic Energy = 15%
Potential Energy = 90%Potcntial Energy = 85%
Thermal Energy = 0% Thermal Energy = 0%
Because there is less motion, kinetic energy
reduced even more, but potential energy rose
because the ball is higher. Since there is no
friction, there is no heal energy.
2. Pretend that Josie can magically change the ball to different things like the simulation can.
a. What do you think wrould change about the Pie Charts?
With an increase in mass, the kinetic and potential energies wrould drop, and with a reduction in
mass, they would rise.
b. Explain wrby you think the charts would similar or different.
[.earning Goals: Students will be able to:
• Describe Energy -Pic, -Bar, and -Position Charts from position or selected speeds.
1. Explain howr changing the Skater affects the situations above.
2. Explain howr changing the surface friction affects the situations above.
• Predict position or estimate of speed from Energy -PieT -Bar, and -Position Charts
• Look at the position of an object and use the Energy -Pic, - Bar. and -Position charts
to predict direction of travel or change in speed.
I. Josie made a friclionless hot wheel track that
looks like the one shown. She placed a red rubber
ball on the left lop of track at I .
a. Make a data table like the one below
b. Fill in the Prediction column by sketching
what you think the Pic chart will look like for
the ball al points 1-4.
c. Use the 1jx>p Track with the Ball Skater to
test your ideas and make any adjustments
Pie chart
Prediction Simulation Explain differences
1 Kinetic Energy = 0%
Potential Energy =
100%
Thermal Energy = 0%
Kinetic Energy = 0%'
Potential Energy =
100%
Thermal Energy = 0%
There is neither kinetic nor thermal energy
since there is no motion nor friction. But
because the ball is so high up, there is a lot of
potential energy.
2 Kinetic Energy = 90% Kinetic Energy = 75%
Potential Energy = 10%:Potential Energy = 25%
Thermal Energy = 0% Thermal Energy = 0%
As the ball travels down the track, its kinetic
energy increases, but its potential energy
decreases as it approaches the surface. Since
there is no friction, there is no heat energy.
3 Kinetic Energy = 55% Kinetic Energy = 50%
Potential Energy = 45%:Potential Energy = 50%
Thermal Energy = 0% Thermal Energy = 0%
Since the ball loses speed as it rises in
altitude, its kinetic energy decreases. Due to
the ball's increased height, potential energy
has increased. Since there is no friction, there
is no heal energy.
4 Kinetic Energy = 10% Kinetic Energy = 15%
Potential Energy = 90%Potcntial Energy = 85%
Thermal Energy = 0% Thermal Energy = 0%
Because there is less motion, kinetic energy
reduced even more, but potential energy rose
because the ball is higher. Since there is no
friction, there is no heal energy.
2. Pretend that Josie can magically change the ball to different things like the simulation can.
a. What do you think wrould change about the Pie Charts?
With an increase in mass, the kinetic and potential energies wrould drop, and with a reduction in
mass, they would rise.
b. Explain wrby you think the charts would similar or different.
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