Potential and Kinetic energy with multiple incline track

Lecture Demonstrations

Mechanics

Work and Energy

Potential and Kinetic energy with multiple incline track

Add the motion detector to this apparatus to determine the final velocity of the ball at the bottom of the incline. Compare the final velocity of the ball on each track to prove that potential energy (same height) is converted into the same kinetic energy, no matter the path (ignore some friction difference).

  • First ask the class to predict which ball will win
  • Both tracks are the same angle, except for the transition segments.

photo: Potential and Kinetic energy with multiple incline track

Location:

Setup Time:

 

 

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