Converting Gravitational Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy

Developed by SEPUP

Kit No. 207S

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES

• Energy is associated with heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound, nuclei, and the nature of a chemical
• Energy is transferred in many ways
• One way to gather data is through observations. Accurate and complete observations are important to making conclusions about the natural world
• Students design and conduct an investigation
• Students communicate scientific procedures and explanations

This kit introduces students to the concepts of kinetic and gravitational potential energy and the conversion of one form of energy into another. Students design and conduct an experiment to quantitatively test how the variables of mass and height affect the energy carried by a metal cylinder. The investigation in this activity allows students to explore energy transfer, the relationship of gravitational potential energy to mass and height, and the transformation of potential energy to kinetic energy.