Option A: Conservation of Mechanical Energy Calculations
Access the Conservation of Mechanical Energy Calculations and complete the problem set using the printable version. Make sure to completely answer each question and to show all of your work. Once you have completed the Conservation of Mechanical Energy Calculations, please submit your work to the dropbox.
Option B: Energy Skate Park Scientific Investigation
Before you begin the scientific investigation below, make sure to download the Energy Skate Park Scientific Investigation Report. As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental Module.
This scientific investigation is available below or in a printable version.
Introduction
Total mechanical energy is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy. Work changes total mechanical energy when done by non-conservative forces. Work done by conservative forces does not change total mechanical energy, but merely transforms energy between potential and kinetic forms. When only conservative forces are involved, you say that mechanical energy is conserved. The total quantity of mechanical energy remains the same.
Objectives
In this scientific investigation, you will:
Hypothesis
Using the Procedure and Data Collection section below, read through the procedural information for this scientific investigation. Based on your understanding of the procedure, develop your own hypotheses which describe your expected results. Record your hypotheses in the Hypothesis section of your Energy Skate Park Scientific Investigation Report.
Required Simulation
Energy Skate Park Simulation
(click on image below to run simulation)
Provided by:
PhET Interactive Simulations
University of Colorado
http://phet.colorado.edu
Procedure and Data Collection
Data
Use the notes area and data table in the Data section of your Energy Skate Park Scientific Investigation Report to record your data from this scientific investigation. The data table is also shown below:
PE | KE | TME |
Data Analysis
In the Data Analysis section of your Energy Skate Park Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions based on items in the simulation and the data that you collected. Make sure to completely answer each question and to show all of your work.
Conclusion
Using the Conclusion section of your Energy Skate Park Scientific Investigation Report, compose three to four sentences describing an overall conclusion based on your data. Were your hypotheses true or false, and how do you know? Use the data and notes that you collected from your simulation experience to form your conclusion. Make sure that you include information that you gained from data analysis to support your conclusion.
Experimental Sources of Error
On your Energy Skate Park Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they, and what could be done to minimize error?
Once you have completed the Energy Skate Park Scientific Investigation Report, please submit your work to the dropbox.