Energy in Collisions: Rolling Ramp and Review
In this hands-on activity—rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup—the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements and use equations that describe these energy of motion concepts to calculate unknown variables, and review the relationships between these concepts.
Students explore the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction by rolling a ball down an inclineCopyright Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zorbing.jpg
Light rail trains are a modern form of public transportation powered by overhead electrical lines that travel along dedicated pathway of steel rails. To design these trains to be quiet, efficient and safe, engineers consider all of the energy of motion concepts: the work required to convert the mechanical energy when the train goes from a stopped position to forward/backward motion, how much momentum the train acquires between stations, and the power required to overcome the friction between the train's wheels and the effects of drag.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Identify components of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction and how they interrelate.
- Construct a model to demonstrate potential and kinetic energy, work, power, momentum and friction.
- Use multiple equations to solve for unknown variables.
- Explain how the concepts of mechanical energy, work, power, momentum, and friction play an important role in everyday life