This week, it was all about potential vs. kinetic energy. We got to see these ideas in action, transfer energy from one object to another, and demonstrate how much energy is lost to friction. We started with some demonstrations of energy being transferred from one object to another. Getting to see the large amount of energy in the basketball transferring to the smaller tennis ball was pretty impressive. Then, we headed in to play with marbles. We experimented with sending different numbers of marbles rolling towards another group of marbles and watched what happened when the kinetic energy was transferred. We spent some time defining energy and discussing the different types of energy and how they work. We worked through a couple more examples and made connections to other activities we have done in class this year. Energy is at work everywhere, so this is a topic that is easy to see and demonstrate. We don't do a lot of note-taking in class, but most of the kids seemed to like it. It really helps to have a basic foundation before starting the labs and I'm hoping the act of writing things down will help them remember some of the terms and concepts. Also, having a variety of ways that we learn in class makes it easier to reach all the different learning styles. Then, the older two classes moved on to our lab for the day. Using three different types of balls (ping pong, tennis, and bouncy), they measured how high the initial bounce was after dropping the ball from different heights. They used an iPad to film in slow motion so they could more accurately see the measurement. Like true scientists, they did several trials for each ball at each height. I think the favorite part of this activity was the filming--and the slo-mo was definitely useful in getting the readings (even if technology always seems to bring on some distractions, too ;).)
Additional Information:Videos:
Bill Nye the Science Guy: Energy Bill Nye shows us how energy works and how it effects us! He also explains the different kinds of energy and what they do. Kinetic and Potential Energy Song The last class watched this video in class, and thought it was hilarious and needed to be shared with the older kids. The kinetic energy they used while dancing to the song was its own demonstration! Bozeman Science: Potential and Kinetic Energy Explanation of potential vs. kinetic energy. Mythbusters--Massive Newton's Cradle Can a Newton's Cradle be made from wrecking balls? See the energy transfers that occur. Activities: Build a Rube Goldberg machine and identify the energy transfers that occur throughout. See how many types you can include (mechanical, chemical, thermal, radiant, electrical). Magic Rollback Can Using a rubber band, an empty can with a lid, and a weight, make a can that will roll away and then come back to you. You can demonstrate how potential energy is transformed into kinetic, and then back to potential. Create a Hopping Frog See how the potential energy transfers to kinetic when you make the origami frog hop.
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May 2020
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