Energy Basics
What is energy?
the ability to do work or cause change
What are some examples of objects or systems that have chemical potential energy?
Food, batteries, and gasoline
The energy conversion that BEST represents gasoline burning in a car engine to drive down the road.
Chemical Potential Energy to Mechanical Kinetic Energy
In the Strong Rods experiment, the tube length (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm) represents this variable.
Independent Variable
In a scientific graph for an experiment, the independent variable (tube length) is always placed on this axis.
X-axis
What is potential energy?
energy stored due to an object's position or this composition.
Stretched rubber bands and compressed springs store energy in this potential form.
Elastic Potential Energy
The energy conversion that BEST represents what happens inside an electric portable heater
Electric Kinetic Energy to Thermal Kinetic Energy
The measured outcome in the experiment—the number of drops needed to push the nail into the foam—represents this variable.
Dependent Variable
In a scientific graph, the dependent variable (number of drops) is always placed on this axis
Y-axis
An object raised to a greater height above the ground gains more of this specific type of potential energy.
Gravitational Potential Energy
Two balloons rubbed with a wool cloth acquire a charge and interact through this type of potential energy.
Electrostatic Potential Energy
The primary energy conversion that happens when a stretched rubber band is released.
Elastic Potential Energy to Mechanical Kinetic Energy
Describe the steps to find the average of three numbers.
Add all three numbers together and divide by 3.
What formula can you use in most graphs to create a title?
The Effect of ___IV____ on _____DV____.
As an apple falls from a high tree branch, its gravitational potential energy transforms into this type of energy.
Kinetic Energy
Where in an apple tree would an apple have the most potential energy?
An apple at the top of an apple tree would have the most potential energy.
When a steel rod falls through a tube to strike a nail, stored potential energy converts into this before hitting the nail.
Kinetic Energy
Find the average of the drops needed for a tube length of 30 cm with trial results of 11, 8, and 8 drops.
9 drops
In a CER explanation, using exact numerical data from your data table (such as "at 10 cm it took 22.6 drops vs. 5 drops at 40 cm") is the _________________.
Evidence
True or False: Moving an object higher above the ground decreases its stored potential energy
False (it increases potential energy)
If you drop two identical steel rods, but one is released from twice the height of the other. How much more gravitational potential energy does the higher rod have?
Twice as much
Burning wood in a campfire converts chemical potential energy into these two forms of kinetic energy
Thermal Energy and Light/Radiant Energy
Keeping the steel rod, steel nail, and type of foam the same throughout every trial are examples of these.
Controlled Variables (or Constants)
How can the position of an object affect its potential energy?
The position of an object can raise or lower the its amount of potential energy. The higher the object is, the more potential energy. Conversely, the lower the object is, the less potential energy.