In this resource, you will explore potential and kinetic energy. You may remember studying potential energy and kinetic energy in earlier grade levels. Before getting started, write down everything you know about the following topics in your notes:

• Energy
• Transformation
• Kinetic Energy
• Potential Energy

Let’s start by taking a moment to look at different types of energy and a few of the different forms it takes in a video showing a Rube Goldberg machine.

Watch the following video describing the different types of energy and the different forms it takes in a Rube Goldberg machine. Using your notes, identify areas in the video where the following actions are taking place:

• Kinetic Energy
  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

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  As the ball is rolling down a ramp
• Gravitational Potential Energy
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  When the ball is at the top of a ramp, or when the ball is in a cup before the cup tips over
• Elastic Potential Energy
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  When the ramp swings out from the wall
• Energy transformation
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  When the ball moves from an area of high potential energy to an area of high kinetic energy
  For example, when the ball starts at the top of a ramp and then rolls down the ramp