i. Potential Energy is the energy of position and
can also be referred to as stored or future
energy. This is the type of energy that your
vehicle has as you hold it at the top of each
ramp.
ii. Kinetic Energy is the energy of motion. This is
the type of energy that your vehicle has as it is
in motion.
3. Now let's explore how different ramp heights make a
difference to the distance the vehicle travels.
4. Choose one of the following questions to investigate.
Briefly prepare a justification for your choice.
a. Will a heavy vehicle roll further than a light
vehicle?
b. Does the starting location on the ramp affect the
distance a vehicle will travel?
c. Does the length of the vehicle affect how far the
vehicle will travel?
d. Do wider wheels affect the distance a vehicle will
travel?
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Education
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5. As with previous investigations, be sure you design
and describe a "fair test" by keeping everything the
same, except the variable you are testing. You must
design a data chart of some kind in your notebook,
report the results, and make recommendations about
what you found.
6. What question will you investigate?
7. What other things do you think you could do to
make your vehicle go further? Make 3 different
modifications to your vehicle (i.e. add more parts,
change the wheels, etc.) and release it from the taller
ramp after each modification. Compare the distances
it traveled each time and describe what you think
caused the differences, if any.
8. What variables will you hold constant?
9. What variable will you measure?
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