Rolling Down Hill, Again!

What role does energy play in how a ball rolls?

Materials

Kinetic energy is the kind of energy that an object has because it is moving. Increasing the speed increases the kinetic energy.

Set up the inclined ramp, and roll the ball down it a few times.

1. When the ball is on the ramp, there is an unbalanced force, and the ball moves in the direction of the force. Then energy is transferred to the ball, with the result that its kinetic energy increases. Explain how this accounts for the behavior of the ball on the ramp

2. If instead we start the ball rolling up the ramp, it is moving in the opposite direction of the unbalanced force. This removes energy from the ball. Explain how this accounts for the behavior of the ball.

3. If instead of rolling the ball we throw it straight up, we are giving it kinetic energy. Describe what happens to the energy of the thrown ball as it rises into the air, and then returns to your hand.

4. write in your journal Make a generalization about the relationship between the height of a ball and its kinetic energy, that describes all three of the situations above.

Check the box when you are done:   

Air ball