One of the best ways to show how mechanical energy works is by doing fun and easy experiments. Here are a couple of simple ideas you can try:
Pendulum Experiment: Make a pendulum using a piece of string and a small weight, like a washer or a small ball.
Pull the pendulum back and let it go.
Watch how the energy at the top (when it's pulled back) changes to energy of movement (when it swings down).
You will see that when the pendulum is at its highest point, it has a lot of potential energy.
But at the lowest point, it moves the fastest, showing how energy is conserved.
Roller Coaster Model: Build a small roller coaster track using materials like cardboard or straws.
Use a marble as the roller coaster car.
Let the marble go from different heights and watch how it speeds up and slows down.
If you measure the heights and how fast it goes, you can see how the total energy stays the same.
These fun experiments not only spark curiosity but also help you understand how mechanical energy works in real life.
Plus, they're awesome to do with friends!
One of the best ways to show how mechanical energy works is by doing fun and easy experiments. Here are a couple of simple ideas you can try:
Pendulum Experiment: Make a pendulum using a piece of string and a small weight, like a washer or a small ball.
Pull the pendulum back and let it go.
Watch how the energy at the top (when it's pulled back) changes to energy of movement (when it swings down).
You will see that when the pendulum is at its highest point, it has a lot of potential energy.
But at the lowest point, it moves the fastest, showing how energy is conserved.
Roller Coaster Model: Build a small roller coaster track using materials like cardboard or straws.
Use a marble as the roller coaster car.
Let the marble go from different heights and watch how it speeds up and slows down.
If you measure the heights and how fast it goes, you can see how the total energy stays the same.
These fun experiments not only spark curiosity but also help you understand how mechanical energy works in real life.
Plus, they're awesome to do with friends!