1. As a ball rolls down an inclined track the kinetic energy of the ball increases. We can calculate this increase:
by multiplying the weight of the ball by how far it has moved along the incline     
by calculating the decrease in the potential energy     
by calculating the decrease in the potential energy and adding to this the energy transferred by the unbalanced force on the ball     
by multiplying the unbalanced force on the ball by the initial height of the ball     

2. John Henry aided in building the railways by swinging his 7 Kg (16 lb) hammer. Suppose he exerts a force of 500 N (a bit more than 100 lb) on the hammer handle while it moves a distance of 0.4 m. At the same time, the hammer head descends a distance of 2 m. How much energy does the hammer have (assuming it is all in the form of the kinetic energy of the hammer head)?

3. Discussion question: Consider a golfer at the very beginning of her swing. As a consequence of her actions, the ball will fly a very large distance. Please discuss the various forms of energy that are involved, and how the energy is transferred and transformed -- starting with the club and ball at rest, and ending with the ball landing on the green.

This box is for other comments.

Click here to . Click here to start over.