4-PS3-1

4-PS3-1 Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

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Discuss and write the following in your Science journal.  Use this link to help you.

• How do you define speed?  Write your definition in your Science journal.  How does speed change along a roller coaster track?
• How do you define energy?  Write your definition in your Science journal.  How does  energy change along a roller coaster track?

In your Science  Journal: 
​1-Sketch the roller coaster track.  

​2-Study the track, how do you think the speed of the car will change along the track?

3-How do you think the amount of energy will change along the track.   

4-Click here.  Then click PLAY on the graphic.  Play it several times.  Observe the car along the track and the graphic of potential and kinetic energy. 

5-Did you notice a relationship between the speed and energy of the car along the track?  Was there any evidence that speed and energy are related?

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​Try This Experiment

For the Science Fair, a group of 4th graders, set out to study how the speed of a ball differed if it began from different points rolling down a ramp.  The started a golf ball at point A and timed it to roll (without pushing it) to the finish 3 times.  They did the same with ball starting at point B, then they started it from point C, then point D.  From each point they rolled it 3 times.  

Sketch the ramp above in your Science journal.  
Use a ruler to make the chart in your Science journal.  
Fill in the chart with the info here.  The distance from point A to the finish is 7.0m, from B to finish is 6.5m, from C to finish is 6.0m, and from D to finish is 5.5m.  From point A, the times were 14.0s, 14.2s, and 14.1s.   From point B to finish the times were 11.1s, 11.0s, 11.2s.  From point C to finish the times were