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Honors POGIL: Kinetic Energy and Gravitational Potential Energy Energy can be thought of as the capacity of an object to enact change. We have seen that energy can be transferred between different mechanisms and thus cause changes in a system. In this POGIL we will learn how to calculate the amount of energy stored in two mechanisms: kinetic energy (Ek) and gravitational potential energy (Eg). Kinetic Energy (Ek) The energy stored in kinetic energy (Ek) is associated with a systems motion. The diagrams below show several objects of different masses moving at different velocities. The energy stored in kinetic energy is calculated. Note that we use Joules as the unit of energy, abbreviated with the letter J.

15 kg

10 m/s

kinetic energy = (mass) (velocity)2 1 1 = 2 = (15 kg)(10 m/s)2 2 2 Ek = 750 kg-m2/s2 = 750 Joules = 750 J kinetic energy = (mass) (velocity)2 1 1 = 2 = (15 kg)(20 m/s)2 2 2 Ek = 3000 kg-m2/s2 = 3000 Joules = 3000 J kinetic energy = (mass) (velocity)2 1 1 = 2 = (30 kg)(10 m/s)2 2 2 Ek = 1500 kg-m2/s2 = 1500 Joules = 1500 J

15 kg

20 m/s

10 m/s

30 kg

1. Calculate the energy, in Joules, stored in Ek for the following objects. (a) a 70 kg person running at 4 m/s

(b) a 1000 kg car traveling at 30 m/s

(c) a 0.05 kg ball moving at 25 m/s

(d) a 1 g ant moving at a speed of 2 cm/s

2. Can kinetic energy ever be negative? Why or why not?

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3. Rank the following objects in order from LOWEST energy in Ek to HIGHEST energy in Ek. Indicate a tie with an equal sign. (a) an object of mass m traveling with a speed v (b) an object of mass 2m traveling with a speed v (c) an object of mass m traveling with a speed 2v (d) an object of mass m traveling at speed 2v (e) an object of mass 2m traveling at speed v

Gravitational Potential Energy (Eg) The energy stored in gravitational potential energy (Eg) is associated with an objects position relative to a planet (in most cases, the Earth) while under the influence of a gravitational force. The diagrams below show several objects of different masses at different heights above or below a reference level. The energy stored in gravitational potential energy relative to the reference level shown is calculated.

gravitational potential energy = mass acceleration due to gravity height = = (2 kg)(10 m/s 2 )(+5 m) Eg = 100 J gravitational potential energy = mass acceleration due to gravity height = = (1 kg)(10 m/s 2 )(0 m) Eg = 0 J gravitational potential energy = mass acceleration due to gravity height = = (10 kg)(10 m/s 2 )(-4 m) Eg = 400 J gravitational potential energy = mass acceleration due to gravity height = = (15 kg)(10 m/s 2 )(-7 m) Eg = 1050 J

2 kg

1 kg

5m reference level, h = 0 10 kg 4m

15 kg

3m

4. In the picture below, a 1000 kg car starts at point A and travels down a hill through points B, C, and D.

A B

5m 5m C 7m D

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(a) Using the vertical level of point D as the reference level, calculate: i. the energy stored in Eg at points A, B, C, and D. Eg (point A) = Eg (point C) = Eg (point B) = Eg (point D) =

ii. the change in gravitational potential energy (Eg) when the car travels from point A to B, A to C, and A to D. Eg (A to B) = Eg (A to D) = (b) Using the vertical level of point A as the reference level, calculate: i. the energy stored in Eg at points A, B, C, and D. Eg (point A) = Eg (point C) = Eg (point B) = Eg (point D) = Eg (A to C) =

ii. the change in gravitational potential energy (Eg) when the car travels from point A to B, A to C, and A to D. Eg (A to B) = Eg (A to D) = 5. Does the choice of reference level affect: (a) the amount of energy in Eg? Explain. Eg (A to C) =

(b) the change in gravitational potential energy when traveling between two heights? Explain.