By the end of this section, you will be able to explain gravitational potential energy in terms of work done against gravity, show that the gravitational potential energy of an object of mass m at height h on Earth is given by PEg = mgh,...

In the following tutorial, students learn about gravitational potential energy in terms of work done against gravity. They will be able to show how knowledge of the potential energy as a function of position can be used to simplify...

Explains what is meant by potential energy and demonstrates how to use the formulas for gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and electric potential energy. Includes interactive calculators for the first two formula...

By taking a look at the energy of motion all around us, students learn about the types of energy and their characteristics. They first learn about the two simplest forms of mechanical energy: kinetic and potential energy, as illustrated...

In this lesson plan, students are introduced to both potential energy and kinetic energy as forms of mechanical energy. A hands-on activity demonstrates how potential energy can change into kinetic energy by swinging a pendulum,...

Practice calculating the elastic potential energy stored in a spring.

Practice calculating the gravitational potential energy for a system of two masses.

This site explains and gives examples of elastic potential energy and how to calculate it.

Discusses conservation of energy, and explains what kinetic energy is, some kinds of potential energy, and how work and energy are related using the work-kinetic energy theorem. Provides lots of examples along with calculations.

This site explains what gravitational potential energy means and how to calculate it.

Kids learn about potential energy in the science of physics. The energy of position and state can be calculated using mass, gravity, and height. The standard unit is the joule. How it is different from kinetic energy.

This activity utilizes hands-on learning with the conservation of energy and the interaction of friction. Students use a roller coaster track and collect position data. The students then calculate velocity, and energy data. After the...

This comprehensive lesson teaches all about energy, including the different forms, the periodic table, history of human energy use and production, and energy units. It contains an interactive energy calculator, games and activities, and...

This lesson provides the learner with example problems on calculating gravitational potential energy.

Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash size. They follow good experiment...

Find out about simple machines, calculate the mechanical advantage and efficiency of machines, differentiate potential and kinetic energy, and learn ways to use energy more efficiently.

Students use real-world data to evaluate the feasibility of solar energy and other renewable energy sources in different U.S. locations. Working in small groups, students act as engineers evaluating the suitability of installing solar...

Students use real-world data to calculate the potential for solar and wind energy generation at their school location. After examining maps and analyzing data from the online Renewable Energy Living Lab, they write recommendations as to...

Kids learn about kinetic energy in the science of physics. The energy of motion can be calculated using mass and velocity. The standard unit is the joule. How it is different from potential energy.

This activity demonstrates how potential energy (PE) can be converted to kinetic energy (KE) and back again. Given a pendulum height, students calculate and predict how fast the pendulum will swing by understanding conservation of energy...

Students complete three different activities to evaluate the energy consumption in a household and explore potential ways to reduce that consumption. The focus is on conservation and energy efficient electrical devices and appliances.The...

For this activity, students learn about conservation of mechanical energy as they measure the velocity of a girl jumping on a trampoline using a direct measurement video with an embedded frame counter and ruler.

Students learn how engineers design devices that use water to generate electricity by building model water turbines and measuring the resulting current produced in a motor. Students work through the engineering design process to build...

This worksheet walks the students through the steps for calculating their personal carbon footprint. Additionally it helps them consider options for reducing their carbon footprint and the potential costs of those reductions.