Faith Brings

Conservation of Energy: Learning Module

Learning Target:
1. Physics: Conservation of Energy

To Do:
1. Watch videos and read explanations about Potential and Kinetic Energy.
2. Answer all questions in Conservation of Energy Learning Module: Worksheet.
3. Build a model/design a project that demonstrates Potential and Kinetic Energy
4. Complete one of the problems from the final problem set.

Conservation of Energy Learning resources:

Video:
Introduction to potential & kinetic energy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSWl_Zj-CZs
Introduction to rollercoaster PE & KE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehx1P4adv6I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dpBVtAbKJU
Good explanation of basic math of roller coaster PE & KE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f1bND-MhuY
Mored advanced topics in PE & KE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYEWIuQBVyg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSWl_Zj-CZs

Written Explanations:
https://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_ene
rgy/cub_energy_lesson01.xml
https://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/duk_/lessons/duk_roll
ercoaster_music_less/duk_rollercoaster_music_less.xml

http://blog.benwildeboer.com/2011/pipe-insulation-roller-coasters/
http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/roller-coaster-physics.html
Conservation of Energy Learning Module: Worksheet

Part 1:
Definitions of Energy.
Directions: Write down the definition for each of the following terms after reading the article.

ENERGY:
The capacity to do work.

KINETIC ENERGY:
Is energy of motion. Any object that is moving has kinetic energy. The kinetic energy depends
on both mass and velocity

POTENTIAL ENERGY:
The energy of position, or stored energy. Potential energy is a result of an object's position,
mass and the acceleration of gravity

Part 2:
Identify Potential vs. Kinetic Energy
Directions: Determine the best match between basic types of energy and the description
provided. Put the correct letter in the blank.

B . A skier at the top of the mountain (a) Kinetic Energy

B . Gasoline in a storage tank (b) Potential Energy

A . A race-car traveling at its maximum speed (c) Both forms of Energy

A . Water flowing from a waterfall before it hits the pond below

B . A spring in a pinball machine before it is released

C . Burning a match

C . A running refrigerator motor

Part 3:
Compare Values of Potential vs. Kinetic Energy
Circle the one with more Potential energy and briefly explain why.
1. A 25 kg mass or a 30 kg mass at the top of a hill?
Mass is the measure of something's resistance to change, it can go farther and faster the bigger
it is. This means the 30 kg mass has more stores energy.
2. A car at the top of the hill or the bottom of a hill?
Since the mass is on top of a hill, the more energy is stored and ready turn into kinetic energy.

3. A plane on the ground or a plane in the air?

The higher you are, the higher the velocity will be on the way down. This means the plane in the
air has more potential energy.

4. A full plane or an empty plane (both are flying)?

The heavier the mass of an object is, the more gravity will affect you, so the full plane has more
potential energy.

Circle the one with more Kinetic energy and briefly explain why.
5. A 25 kg mass or a 30 kg mass g
oing 5 m/s.
Its heavier, has more weighted momentum to go faster and farther.

6. Two 10 kg masses, o ne going 75 m/s, one going 45 m/s.

The faster you are going the more kinetic energy you have.

7. A car at rest or a car rolling down a hill.

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion.

8. A heavy bike or a light bike.

Since kinetic energy depends on both mass and velocity, the heavier bike has more mass which
will give it more velocity.

Part 4:
Calculate Values of Potential vs. Kinetic Energy

Calculate the kinetic or potential energy in the following problems:

Equations:
KE= 1/2 m v2
PE = mass x gravitational acceleration (9.8m/s2) x height O
R Weight X Height
N or Newton = mass in kg x g = N x g

Energy= joules = kg x m2/s2

Newton = N = Weight
Mass measured in kilograms (kg)
Velocity measured in meters/second (m/s)
Gravitational acceleration= g = (9.8 m/s2)
1. A 4 kg rock is rolling 10 m/s. kinetic energy
200j

2. A 8 kg cat is running 4 m/s. kinetic energy

64j

3. A 4 kg bird is flying with a velocity of 4 m/s . kinetic energy

32j

4. Find the work done by a 25 N force applied for 6 meters.

work = force x distance
150j

5. Calculate the potential energy of a 5 kg object sitting on a 3 m ledge

147j

6. A rock is at the top of a 20 meter tall hill. The rock has a mass of 10 kg. How much
potential energy does it have?
1,960j

7. CHALLENGE QUESTION: How high up is a 3 kg object that has 300 joules of energy?
300j=3(9.8)(h)
300/29.4=10.2
h=10.2

8. CHALLENGE QUESTION: A rolling ball has 18 joules of kinetic energy and is rolling 3
m/s. Find its mass.
18j=1/2m x 3^2
9/2=4.5
18/4.5=4
m=4

9. Two objects were lifted by a machine. One object had a mass of 2 kilograms, and was lifted
at a speed of 2 m/sec. The other had a mass of 4 kilograms and was lifted at a rate of 3 m/sec.
m=2kg v=2m/sec^2 =4j
m=4kg v=3m/sec^2 =18j

a. Which object had more kinetic energy while it was being lifted?
m=4kg v=3m/sec^2 =18j ( second object)
b. Which object had more potential energy when it was lifted to a distance of 10 meters? Show
your calculation.
(2kg) (9.8m/sec^2) (10) =196j
(4kg) (9.8m/sec^2) (10) =392j (second object)

Conservation of Energy Learning Module: Model/Project Ideas

Swinging Pendulum:
https://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/cub_/activities/
cub_energy/cub_energy_lesson03_activity2.xml
Ball Drop Experiment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zALoYHeOno
Rolling ball on an incline plane.
Popsicle stick bomb
Pipe insulation roller coaster (Stanford)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPG5iCp38bA

Conservation of Energy Learning Module: Problem Set

Problem Set 1: To reach Expert in Conservation of energy after going through Conservation of
Energy Learning Module.

Car weight (including passengers) = 535kg + (2 x 100kg)

Height @ A = 5.0m
Height @ B = 0.0m
Height @ C = 9.0m
 KE= 1/2 m v2
PE = mass x gravitational acceleration (9.8m/s2) x height O
R Weight X Height
N or Newton = mass in kg x g = N x g

Questions: **This is an unpropelled roller coaster. Assume frictionless environment with no

wind resistance.**

1. What is the potential energy (PE) of the Car at point A?

36,015j

2. What is the potential energy (PE) of the Car at point B?

0j

3. Assuming the car makes it up to point C what will be its potential energy (PE)?
64,827j

4. If the velocity of the car is 15m/s at point C, what is its kinetic energy (KE)?
29767.5j

5. If the velocity of the car is 15m/s at point C, what was the velocity of the car at point A?
9,187.5j

Problem Set 2: To reach Proficient in Conservation of energy after going through Conservation
of Energy Learning Module.
Questions: **Assume initial velocity at point A is zero. Assume frictionless and unpropelled
environment.** Calculate the potential energy (PE), kinetic energy (KE) and velocity (V) at each
point. Ill use 50kg
A. Point A:
a. PE = 49,000j
b. KE = 0
c. v = 0

B. Point B:
a. PE = 32,666.67j
b. KE = 16,333.33j
c. v = 25.56m/s

C. Point C:
a. PE = 12,250j
b. KE = 36,750j
c. v = 38.341m/s

D. Point D:
a. PE = 32,666.67j
b. KE = 16.333.33j
c. v = 25.56m/s

Problem Set 3: To reach Basic in Conservation of energy after going through Conservation of
Energy Learning Module.
Questions: **Assume initial velocity at point A is zero. Assume frictionless and unpropelled
environment.** Calculate the potential energy (PE), kinetic energy (KE) and velocity (V) at each
point where not given.

A. Point A:
a. v = 0
b. KE = 0
c. PE = 15,680j

B. Point B:
a. v = 0
b. KE = 0j
c. PE = 0