One of the coolest examples of how energy works is when you watch a bouncing ball. Let’s break it down:
Potential Energy (PE) at the Top: When the ball is at its highest point, just before it drops, it has the most potential energy. This energy is stored because it is up high. You can think of it like a stretched spring, ready to snap back.
Kinetic Energy (KE) as it Falls: As the ball falls, the potential energy changes into kinetic energy, which is the energy of movement. You notice this when you throw the ball down—just before it hits the ground, it’s moving really fast!
Bouncing Back Up: When the ball hits the ground, it squishes for a moment. After that, most of the kinetic energy changes back into potential energy as it goes up again.
Energy Loss: Each time the ball bounces, it goes a little lower. That’s because some energy is lost as sound and heat. But the change from one type of energy to another still happens!
This example shows us how energy changes from one form to another. Understanding this is super important in learning about physics!
One of the coolest examples of how energy works is when you watch a bouncing ball. Let’s break it down:
Potential Energy (PE) at the Top: When the ball is at its highest point, just before it drops, it has the most potential energy. This energy is stored because it is up high. You can think of it like a stretched spring, ready to snap back.
Kinetic Energy (KE) as it Falls: As the ball falls, the potential energy changes into kinetic energy, which is the energy of movement. You notice this when you throw the ball down—just before it hits the ground, it’s moving really fast!
Bouncing Back Up: When the ball hits the ground, it squishes for a moment. After that, most of the kinetic energy changes back into potential energy as it goes up again.
Energy Loss: Each time the ball bounces, it goes a little lower. That’s because some energy is lost as sound and heat. But the change from one type of energy to another still happens!
This example shows us how energy changes from one form to another. Understanding this is super important in learning about physics!