Remember the video you watched in the first section? This video showed a Rube Goldberg machine in which multiple energy transformations occurred. Take a moment to revisit the video, but this time, think about the energy transfer that is going on between potential and kinetic energy.

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Source: Crème That Egg! Joseph Herscherm YouTube

Using your notes, complete the following statements and question:

  1. List three energy transfers that start with potential and transfer to kinetic.
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    • The ball at the top of a ramp and then rolling down the ramp
    • The ball in the cup being dumped onto a ramp
    • The release of the hammer
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  2. List three energy transfers that start with kinetic and transfer to potential.
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    • The ball rolling down the ramp and stopping before the next ramp
    • The ball rolling into a cup and stopping
    • Poured water into the clear plastic container
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  3. What can be said about transformations between potential and kinetic energy?
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    Potential energy and kinetic energy transform from one type to another through constant interaction. Close Pop Up

You may have replied that potential and kinetic energy are intertwined and are constantly transforming between the two forms. Another place we can see this relationship is when we look at a roller coaster. Look at the example of the roller coaster below, and answer the questions following the image.

Source: Thunderbird, Roller Coaster, Mazku, Wikimedia Commons (modified by author)

  1. What is the kinetic energy level at X?
  2. What is the potential energy level at X?
  3. What is the kinetic energy level at Y?
  4. What is the potential energy level at Y?
  5. What does this tell you about the relationship between potential and kinetic energy?
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  1. High
  2. Low
  3. Low
  4. High
  5. They are related to each other.
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