Plan the investigation
What students will do
Start with a guided comparison, then plan an investigation, analyze a graph, and check a prediction.
- Compare three locations. Measure height and speed at release, the bottom, and the opposite turning point. Compare total mechanical energy.
- Design and collect. Choose at least five release positions from rest. Measure the vertical drop and speed at the same bottom location.
- Analyze a linear graph. Transform bottom-speed data and fit the vertical-drop relationship. Determine gravitational acceleration from the slope.
- Explain and predict. Explain energy transfers, then predict bottom speed for an unused release height and test it.
What students will learn
- Track kinetic and potential energy through changing motion.
- Distinguish vertical drop from distance along a track.
- Determine gravity from an energy-based graph.
Common misconception
Does doubling the vertical drop double bottom speed?
The energy relationship connects vertical drop with speed squared.