Energy Activity Sheet 5 Name:_______
Spool Racer
Energy is defined as the ability to do work or cause change. There are two kinds of energy: potential energy and kinetic energy.
Potential energy (PE) is the energy of position, or stored energy.
Kinetic energy (KE) is the energy of motion.
The more potential an object has to do work, the more potential energy it has. Potential energy is present when an object is lifted off of a surface (called gravitational potential energy) or when an object is controlled by an elastic force (called elastic potential energy). Potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as soon as the object begins to move.
Let’s make a Spool racer:
What You Need
• 1 wooden spool • 1 flat toothpick • 1 rubber band
• tape • 1 large metal washer • 1 small metal washer
• 1 unsharpened pencil
Instructions for assembly
1. First attach a rubber band to a toothpick. Place the toothpick on top of the rubber band. Lift one end of the rubber band over the toothpick, and thread it through the loop at the other end. Pull the rubber band so that it’s tight around the toothpick.
2. Push the toothpick and rubber band through the centre of the spool. Position the toothpick so it lies across one end of the spool. Break off the ends of the toothpick
so that it doesn’t stick out past the edge of the spool. Put tape over the toothpick to hold it in place.
3. Slip the other end of the rubber band first through the large washer and then through the small washer. Slide a pencil through the end of the rubber band.
4 Turn the pencil to wind the rubber band. Set the spool racer on the floor, and let it go!
Let's Explore and answer the following questions!!!
1. What type of energy does the spool racer have when you let it go? __________
2. What type of energy did it have before you let it go? _______________
3. Energy is needed to wind up the spool racer. Where did this energy come from?
__________________________________________________________________
4. How does the number of turns of the pencils affect the distance the spool racer travels?
_____________________________________________________________
Potential or Kinetic Energy?
Write potential or kinetic next to each picture to show the type of energy present.
Credits
Activity Sheet 5 modified with materials from PBS Kids (WGBH Educational Foundation, 2002).
Spool Racer
Energy is defined as the ability to do work or cause change. There are two kinds of energy: potential energy and kinetic energy.
Potential energy (PE) is the energy of position, or stored energy.
Kinetic energy (KE) is the energy of motion.
The more potential an object has to do work, the more potential energy it has. Potential energy is present when an object is lifted off of a surface (called gravitational potential energy) or when an object is controlled by an elastic force (called elastic potential energy). Potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as soon as the object begins to move.
Let’s make a Spool racer:
What You Need
• 1 wooden spool • 1 flat toothpick • 1 rubber band
• tape • 1 large metal washer • 1 small metal washer
• 1 unsharpened pencil
Instructions for assembly
1. First attach a rubber band to a toothpick. Place the toothpick on top of the rubber band. Lift one end of the rubber band over the toothpick, and thread it through the loop at the other end. Pull the rubber band so that it’s tight around the toothpick.
2. Push the toothpick and rubber band through the centre of the spool. Position the toothpick so it lies across one end of the spool. Break off the ends of the toothpick
so that it doesn’t stick out past the edge of the spool. Put tape over the toothpick to hold it in place.
3. Slip the other end of the rubber band first through the large washer and then through the small washer. Slide a pencil through the end of the rubber band.
4 Turn the pencil to wind the rubber band. Set the spool racer on the floor, and let it go!
Let's Explore and answer the following questions!!!
1. What type of energy does the spool racer have when you let it go? __________
2. What type of energy did it have before you let it go? _______________
3. Energy is needed to wind up the spool racer. Where did this energy come from?
__________________________________________________________________
4. How does the number of turns of the pencils affect the distance the spool racer travels?
_____________________________________________________________
Potential or Kinetic Energy?
Write potential or kinetic next to each picture to show the type of energy present.
Credits
Activity Sheet 5 modified with materials from PBS Kids (WGBH Educational Foundation, 2002).
| energy_activity_sheet_5.doc |
