Name: ___________________ Science 10 – Physics of motion April 4th, 2012

Partner’s Name: __________________

Instructions: With a partner get your laptop out and go onto the internet. Go to this web page: http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Energy_Skate_Park or go to Google and search for: phet skate park. Click on the Run Now! Button.

Each group is responsible for handing in ONE copy electronically. Make sure I have your assignment on my memory stick by the end of class!

When saving on my memory stick please place the file in the following folder “Science 10 – Skate Park”

Directions: Use the first 10-15 minutes of class to learn how this application works. Here is a checklist of things you should do to get this lab going.

Skills you need to learn: Delete “No” when you have this skill.

a. Be able to move the large blue points. [Yes / No]b. Be able to add more tracks to the ramp. [Yes / No]c. Zoom in and zoom out of the situation. [Yes / No]d. Add a “Pie Chart” to see potential energy and kinetic energy [Yes / No]e. Switch Locations [Yes / No]f. Switch gravity fields [Yes / No]g. Increase and decrease friction [Yes / No]h. Use the Show path function. [Yes / No]

A) Using an online dictionary or your notes, find the following terms. Copy and paste the definition next to each term.

1. Velocity

2. Speed

3. Acceleration

4. Potential Energy

5. Kinetic Energy

Understanding the Properties of Energy

Energy Skate Park

B) Tell me 3 ways in which you can increase the skaters speed. (Experiment with the program)1)

2)

3)

C) Tell me three ways in which you can decrease the skaters speed. (Experiment with the program)1)

2)

3)

D) How does “Track Friction” change the skater’s path? (Experiment with the program)

E) How does “Gravity” change the skater’s path? (Experiment with the program)

F) What happens when the skater’s path is greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal axis? (Experiment with the program)

G) What happens when you increase the mass of the skater? (Experiment with the program)

H) Explain how you would be able to get your skater to increase his/her velocity at a constant rate. (Experiment with the program)

I) Explain how you would be able to get your skater to have a constant velocity. (Experiment with the program)

J) How would your skater have a constant velocity if he/she was traveling down a hill (inclined plane)? (Experiment with the program)