SCGS Science Year 8 Physics NAME______________

Investigating Kinetic and Gravitational Energy – PhET Simulation

This activity uses the University of Colorado PhET Energy Skate Park Basics simulation. Choose INTRO

1. Place the skate boarder onto the ramp. As the rider moves backward and forward click on the bar chart.
What type of energy does the rider have in each position? Use the slow motion or pause function.

Label the diagram below. Complete the energy flow diagram.

energy energy

2. What type of energy is the input energy? ________________________

3. What type of energy is the useful energy? _______________________

4. Drop the rider onto the ramp near the top. What energy is now present? ________________ energy.

5. Describe how this effects the efficiency of the ride?

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6. Drop the rider from a high position. Describe what happens now.

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7. Explain why this happened using energy ideas.

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Change the type of ramp to and add the grid to the back ground.

Drop the rider onto the ramp from 4 metres but

at different points along the ramp and observe
the energy bar chart and the speed (0 to 10
m/s).

8. Identify the trend between the height of the drop and the final speed of the rider.

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9. Explain the trend using energy ideas. Use the key words.

kinetic energy gravitational energy heat (thermal) energy

wasted energy useful energy efficiency

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Change the simulation to FRICTION and use the The amount of friction can be changed using the
“U shaped” ramp. toggle.

Observe the rider moving back and forth from different heights and with different amounts of friction. Use
the bar chart to analyse the energy transfers.

10. Explain the effect of friction on the flow of energy in the system.

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