Explanation of Energy
Energy Calculations | |
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(In our last unit, we learned about Force. Force = Mass x Acceleration. In other words, in order to move an object and make it move faster or slower, we got to push it.
In this unit we're learning about Energy. Energy = Force x Distance. In other words, energy is the ability to move something. In order to move something we need energy that will provide the force necessary to move an object any distance. We also know that it's either stored energy (potential) or the object is moving (kinetic).
Gravitational Potential Energy:
In the Gravitational Potential Energy lab, we manipulated both mass & height. The formula for Gravitational Potential Energy is:
Notice that this energy still follows the original energy formula: Energy = Force x Distance. Allow me to explain.
What this means is that the larger the mass, the more GPE you've got. What this also means is that the higher that mass, the more energy you've got.
In other words, between a bowling ball and a bouncy ball, which one will do more damage to the can if you were to drop it on the can? Obviously the bowling ball.
And... if you were to drop a bowling ball 1 foot above the can vs. dropping it at 5 feet above the can - the higher bowling ball had more capacity to do more damage - because it had more energy.
Elastic Potential Energy:
In the Elastic Potential Energy lab - you stretched a rubber band. Hopefully you recognized that the further you pulled back the rubber band (distance), the greater the force. Simultaneously - the further you pulled back the rubber band, the greater Elastic Potential Energy you had - which is the reason why your paper shot forward at a much greater distance. (See the image below).
In this unit we're learning about Energy. Energy = Force x Distance. In other words, energy is the ability to move something. In order to move something we need energy that will provide the force necessary to move an object any distance. We also know that it's either stored energy (potential) or the object is moving (kinetic).
Gravitational Potential Energy:
In the Gravitational Potential Energy lab, we manipulated both mass & height. The formula for Gravitational Potential Energy is:
- Gravitational Potential Energy = Mass x Gravitational Acceleration x Height.
Notice that this energy still follows the original energy formula: Energy = Force x Distance. Allow me to explain.
- If Energy is Force x Distance, then written in another way... Energy = (Mass x Acceleration) x Distance.
- We also learned in our previous unit that Mass x Gravitational Acceleration = Weight. Weight is also a Force.
- Height is another way to describe Distance.
- Gravitational Potential Energy = Weight x Height = Force x Distance
What this means is that the larger the mass, the more GPE you've got. What this also means is that the higher that mass, the more energy you've got.
In other words, between a bowling ball and a bouncy ball, which one will do more damage to the can if you were to drop it on the can? Obviously the bowling ball.
And... if you were to drop a bowling ball 1 foot above the can vs. dropping it at 5 feet above the can - the higher bowling ball had more capacity to do more damage - because it had more energy.
Elastic Potential Energy:
In the Elastic Potential Energy lab - you stretched a rubber band. Hopefully you recognized that the further you pulled back the rubber band (distance), the greater the force. Simultaneously - the further you pulled back the rubber band, the greater Elastic Potential Energy you had - which is the reason why your paper shot forward at a much greater distance. (See the image below).
Homework:
Download the "Energy Calculations" and use it to further your insight as to why the can got crushed more with more height and mass and why the paper shot farther the further back you pulled the rubber band.
Download the "Energy Calculations" and use it to further your insight as to why the can got crushed more with more height and mass and why the paper shot farther the further back you pulled the rubber band.