1. Potential and Kinetic Energy Pairs Within a System
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part I: Types of Energy
Use the information you have learned to fill in the chart below by cutting out and gluing in the pictures given to you. When you have finished, you should have six pair examples.
Think about two pictures that could be added to the chart above for a child swinging on a swing. Describe how the picture of the child on a swing would look when placed under the potential energy column. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe how the picture of the child on a swing would look when placed under the kinetic energy column. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Potential and Kinetic Energy Pairs Within a System
Potential
Kinetic 1

2. Part II: Kinetic Energy
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part II: Kinetic Energy
Complete the data table below as you perform the investigation.
Mass, Speed, and Kinetic Energy Data
Travel Distance: __________________
Ball/Trial
Mass (kg)
Speed (m/s)
Kinetic Energy (joules)
Ball A – Trial 1
Ball A – Trial 2
Ball A – Trial 3
Average for Ball A
Ball B – Trial 1
Ball B – Trial 2
Ball B – Trial 3
Average for Ball B
Ball C – Trial 1
Ball C – Trial 2
Ball C – Trial 3
Average for Ball C 2

3. Part II: Kinetic Energy
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part II: Kinetic Energy
Create a graph based upon the data. Label the x-axis and the y-axis, and include a title.
Make a general statement about the results shown in the graph. Identify linear and nonlinear relationships in the constructed graphs. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is the relationship between mass and kinetic energy? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

4. Bounce Height in cm Starting Height Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part III: Potential Energy
Complete the data table below as you perform the investigation.
Create a graph based upon the data. Label the x-axis and the y-axis, and include a title. For each data set, mark the height at which the potential energy is at 100% and where it is zero. Then mark the height at which the kinetic energy is at 100% and where it is zero.
Make a general statement about the results shown in graph. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Write a scientific explanation of how potential energy is affected by position. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bounce Height in cm
Starting Height
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
50 cm
100 cm 4

5. Part IV: Potential and Kinetic Energy Transformation
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part IV: Potential and Kinetic Energy Transformation
Use the table below to collect data from the investigation.
Release Height of Pendulum Bob vs. Distance Traveled by Block
Distance Block Moved from Block-Start to Block-Stop Positions
Height of Pendulum Bob
Trial 1
(cm)
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
10 cm
20 cm
30 cm
40 cm
Graph the data results using these guidelines:
Graph only the averages.
Label the x-axis and the y-axis.
Include a title and a legend for the graph.
Legend: 5

6. Part IV: Potential and Kinetic Energy Transformation, continued
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part IV: Potential and Kinetic Energy Transformation, continued
List the parts of the system that you explored in the activity. ____________________________________________________________________________
What happened to the block of wood after the pendulum bob struck it? Explain by stating what type of energy was demonstrated. ____________________________________________________________________________
Which release height of the pendulum bob caused the wood block to move the farthest distance? ____________________________________________________________________________
Which release height of the pendulum bob caused the wood block to move the shortest distance? ____________________________________________________________________________
Describe the pattern in the data. In other words, how did the changes in the starting height of the pendulum bob affect how far the block moved? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How does raising the height of the pendulum bob affect its potential energy? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As the pendulum is let go from increasing heights, how is the resulting kinetic energy affected? What is the evidence? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Use the constructed graph to predict how far the block could travel if the pendulum bob’s release height is 50 cm. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Explain how the initial height of a wrecking ball is directly related to its ability to demolish a very thick concrete wall. Use the words potential and kinetic energy in your explanation. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6

7. Characteristics of Potential and Kinetic Energy
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part V: Compare and Contrast Potential and Kinetic Energy
Use the information you have learned to fill in the chart below.
Characteristics of Potential and Kinetic Energy
Potential Energy
Kinetic Energy
The energy stored within the matter of the object
The energy of moving objects
Measured in joules (J)
Depends on the surrounding system, because stored energy is based on current position as compared to usual position. For example height or stretch.
Depends on the surrounding system, because the motion of the object is shown by comparison to other objects within a system.
Cannot be transferred to other objects because the energy is stored within the object, for example, the elasticity of a rubber band cannot transfer to another rubber band.
Cannot be transferred from one object to another object within a system, for example: the motion of a bowling ball can strike and transfer energy of motion to bowling pins
An example is: A diver standing at the edge of the high dive board.
An example is: An arrow flying through the air towards a target.
Part of the total energy of a system and can change based on the variables of height, mass or elasticity.
Part of the total energy of a system and can change based on the variables of speed or mass. 7

8. Part V: Compare and Contrast Potential and Kinetic Energy, continued
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Part V: Compare and Contrast Potential and Kinetic Energy, continued
Define potential energy and then explain what factors, or variables, cause potential energy to change. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Define kinetic energy and then explain what factors, or variables, cause kinetic energy to change. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Provide an everyday example of kinetic energy transferring from one object to another object. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Provide an everyday example of an increase in the total energy of a system due to an increase in potential energy. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you put your backpack in the car and then drive to the mall, is your backpack in motion when comparing it to the system of the car? Does the backpack have kinetic energy while you are on your way to the mall? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8

9. Reflections and Conclusions
8P2AB Kinetic and Potential Energy
Reflections and Conclusions
What is energy? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
What is a system? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are the two types of energy within a system? ____________________________________________________________________________
What is the unit of measure for energy? ____________________________________________
How are potential and kinetic energy alike? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How are potential and kinetic energy different? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Look at the diagram below. Describe the transformation between potential and kinetic energy within this system. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9