Science Lab

Name:

Date:

Instructor’s Name:

Assignment: SCI103 Phase 5 Lab Report

TITLE: Potential and Kinetic Energy

INSTRUCTIONS: Enter the Virtual Lab and conduct the experiments provided. Please type your answers. When your lab report is complete, submit it to the Submitted Assignments area of the Virtual Classroom.

Part I – Answer the following questions while in the Phase 5 lab environment.

Section 1 – From the left of the screen to the right, the red balls have a center of mass placed at 20 feet, 15 feet, and 10 feet high respectively.

1. Suppose each red ball weighs 20 lbs. Find the potential energy (PE) for each ball on each ramp.

2. Calculate the kinetic energy (KE) for each ball on each ramp. Assume the velocity for Ramp #1 equals 10.5 feet/s, the velocity for Ramp #2 equals 5.0 feet/s, and the velocity for Ramp #3 equals 2.5 feet/s.

3. On ramp 1, calculate the balls potential energy at 16 feet.

Section 2 (Each of the green balls has a center of mass placed at 20 feet high)

4. Which ramp has the greatest friction?

5. Suppose each green ball weighs 10 lbs. Find the potential energy for each ball on each ramp.

6. Calculate the kinetic energy (KE) for the ball on Ramp #1. Assume the velocity for Ramp #1 is 46 feet/sec.

Part II – For the following questions, provide your response in short answer format (2-3 sentences each). Use this Phase’s activities and resources to assist you in answering:

7. What is Potential Energy (PE)? Give examples from the lab.

8. What is Kinetic Energy (KE)? Give examples from the lab.

9. What is Inertia?

10. What is Gravity? How is it a type of potential energy?

11. What is Mass and how does it affect energy?

12. How do Potential and Kinetic energy (gravity and mechanical force) apply to the Law of Conservation of Energy?

13. What is Friction? How does it affect energy use?