Introduction: When Tony Hawk wants to launch himself as high as possible off the half-pipe, how does he achieve this? The skate park is an excellent example of the conservation of energy. The law of conservation of energy tells us that we can never create or destroy energy, but we can change its form. In this lab, we will look at the conversion of energy between gravitational-potential energy, work, and kinetic (or moving) energy.

Use the internet, your textbook, or notes to define the following key terms:

Kinetic Energy -

Potential Energy -

Mechanical Energy

Joule

State, in your own words, the Law of the Conversation of Energy.

Procedure: PheT Simulations à Play With Sims à Physics à Energy Skate Park: Basics

Take some time and play with the skater. Turn on the Bar Graph, Pie Chart, and Speed options.

How does increasing skater's mass change the skater’s….

Kinetic Energy? Potential Energy? Total Energy?

How does the skater’s kinetic energy change as he moves down the ramp?

How does the skater’s kinetic energy change as he moves up the ramp?

How does the skater’s potential energy change as he moves down the ramp?

How does the skater’s potential energy change as he moves up the ramp?

How does the skater’s total energy change as he moves down the ramp?

How does the skater’s total energy change as he moves up the ramp?

Describe the skater’s kinetic energy at the bottom of the ramp.

Describe the skater’s potential energy at the bottom of the ramp.

What happens when the skater is dropped onto the ramp from above the ramp?

Observe the following situations. Draw the possible bar graphs for the situation shown. Compare your results with a nearby lab group, AFTER you have completed this section.