⭐ Get this potential and kinetic energy lab at a HUGE discount in our Energy Unit! ⭐
There are 3 sections to this potential and kinetic energy activity…
Part One (Introduction):
- Read a brief introduction to kinetic and potential energy, gravitational potential energy, as well as the law of conservation of energy.
Part Two (GPE and Height):
- Learn how gravitational potential energy (GPE) is calculated.
- Measure the mass of a tennis ball and calculate its GPE at different heights. (The document leads students step-by-step through the easy math.)
- Graph simple GPE data on a pre-made graph.
- Make a claim based on evidence about how height relates to GPE.
Part Three (GPE and KE):
- Perform a simple lab in which students drop a tennis ball from different heights and measure its bounce height.
- Graph GPE and bounce height data on a pre-made graph.
- Make connections between GPE and resulting KE.
- Make a claim based on evidence about how the potential energy of an object affects its kinetic energy when it drops.
Materials Required:
Teacher Notes:
- Includes a suggested answer key.
- Please note: This potential and kinetic energy lab is NOT editable.
- We have lots of related resources in the ENERGY SECTION OF OUR STORE.
- You can also shop our TPT store!
Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-PS2-2: Plan an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
- NGSS MS-PS3-1: Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object.
- NGSS MS-PS3-5: Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.
- NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Analyzing and interpreting data
- NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Using mathematics and computational thinking
