Mechanical Energy Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or its stored energy of position. Mechanical energy can be either kinetic (energy of motion) or potential (energy of position).
Definitions KINETIC ENERGY Energy of motion Energy used when something is moving POTENTIAL ENERGY Stored energy Energy that is waiting to be used
Examples of Kinetic & Potential Energy KINETIC ENERGY POTENTIAL ENERGY Skating down a hill on a skateboard Waiting at the top of a hill on a skateboard Throwing a baseball Holding a baseball in the backswing Jumping Bending your knees before you jump A glass falling off a desk A glass sitting on a desk A yo-yo falling towards the ground Winding up a yo-yo but holding on to it
Real Life Situation I am trying to knock over this giant box in front of me. But when I try to push it, it doesn’t seem to work. What should I do?
Real Life Situation I am going sledding, but I can never seem to make up the second hill. How can I sled up the 2 nd hill?
Real Life Situation I am trying to bump my friend’s car across the red line. But I can’t seem to get him to cross the line. What can I do to bump him across the line?
Toy Lab Objective: To describe or illustrate how a toy uses kinetic or potential energy With the toys provided: Draw an illustration or write in words when a toy has the most potential energy Draw an illustration or write in words when a toy has the most kinetic energy
Website Aids Springs Spool Racers Roller Coasters Skate Park Pendulum Park Quiz