After watching the video clip in the previous section, you may have noticed that most of the actions in the Rube Goldberg machine were examples of kinetic energy, also known as KE. For example, every time a ball was moving forward was an example of kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is energy in motion. It is a scalar quantity meaning that it has magnitude but does not have direction.

Calculating Kinetic Energy

Watch the video below for an example of how kinetic energy is calculated.

The video you watched was an example of a kinetic energy problem. Below is a graphic organizer similar to the one you saw in the video.

Complete the graphic organizer for the kinetic energy equation.

Now let’s try a practice problem. Use the equation from above to calculate the answer. Enter your answer into the box.

Now that you’ve had an opportunity to investigate the parts of the kinetic energy equation, let’s look at how they are related to one another by completing a lab activity.

Collect data about the mass and velocity of objects by completing the online lab below. (Note: This activity refers to the term speed, but the KE equation uses velocity. Remember, the difference between speed and velocity is that speed is a scalar quantity sharing information about how fast an object is moving and does not have direction. Velocity is the rate an object changes position and is a vector quantity.)

Follow the link to complete the interactive. A new window will open. Please select the student lab for Activity 1.

Read the information and then click on “Continue” on the next two screens.

Read the instructions that describe how to run the lab and then click on the button “On to the Lab!” Note- you must use the slider on the right side of window to see all of the instructions.

Kinetic Energy

Experiment 1: Changing the mass

1. Change the mass of the object by picking different objects to launch in the catapult. Use the first five items in the lab. Select the object by clicking on it and dragging it to the catapult.

2. Select the speed by clicking in the speed bar. When a red marker appears, slide the marker to the speed with which you would like the object to be thrown. In this experiment, select the same speed each time you throw an object.

3. Press the red button to fire the catapult.
4. Make note of the mass, speed and energy from the data table.
5. Repeat these steps with the next 4 objects.
6. After throwing five different items at the same speed, notice what happens to the relationship between mass, and kinetic energy. Answer the following question using your notes:
• What happens to the kinetic energy when the mass decreases?

  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Check Your Answer

  The energy decreases.

Experiment 2: Changing the speed

This time, use the same item, but vary the velocity by changing the speed bar. After releasing the item five times with different velocity, notice what happens to the relationship between mass, velocity, and kinetic energy. Answer the following questions using your notes.

• What happens to the kinetic energy when the speed (velocity) increases?

  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Check Your Answer

  The kinetic energy increases.

• What happens to the kinetic energy when the speed (velocity) decreases?

  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Check Your Answer

  The kinetic energy decreases.

• What can be said about the relationship between mass, velocity, and energy?

  Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

  Check Your Answer

  Mass and velocity are directly related to kinetic energy. If mass or velocity increase, then the kinetic energy increases. If mass or velocity decrease, then kinetic energy decreases.