phet energy
skate park
purpose: explore potential energy and kinetic energy
instructions: click on the \intro\ simulation and click the plus sign for the energy bar graph. explore and the try out the simulation. then, answer the questions below.
1. what can you do to cause the skater’s potential energy to increase?
| how to increase potential energy | how to decrease potential energy |
| --- | --- |
| | |
2. now observe the skater’s kinetic energy. what can you do to cause the skater’s kinetic energy to increase? what can you do to cause the skater’s kinetic energy to decrease?
| how to increase kinetic energy | how to decrease kinetic energy |
| --- | --- |
| | |

Question

phet energy
skate park
purpose: explore potential energy and kinetic energy
instructions: click on the \intro\ simulation and click the plus sign for the energy bar graph. explore and the try out the simulation. then, answer the questions below.
1. what can you do to cause the skater’s potential energy to increase?
| how to increase potential energy | how to decrease potential energy |
| --- | --- |
|  |  |
2. now observe the skater’s kinetic energy. what can you do to cause the skater’s kinetic energy to increase? what can you do to cause the skater’s kinetic energy to decrease?
| how to increase kinetic energy | how to decrease kinetic energy |
| --- | --- |
|  |  |

Accepted Answer

# Brief Explanations: To answer these questions, we analyze the concepts of potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE) in the context of the skater's motion. - **Potential Energy (Gravitational)**: Depends on height ($PE = mgh$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is gravity, $h$ is height) and mass. To increase PE, we can increase the skater’s height (e.g., move them to a higher point on the ramp) or increase their mass (if the simulation allows adjusting mass). To decrease PE, we lower the skater’s height (move to a lower ramp point) or decrease mass. - **Kinetic Energy**: Depends on speed ($KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^2$, where $v$ is speed). To increase KE, we increase the skater’s speed (by releasing from a higher height, reducing friction, or pushing). To decrease KE, we reduce speed (by increasing friction, releasing from a lower height, or letting friction slow them). ### How to Increase/Decrease Potential Energy | How to Increase Potential Energy | How to Decrease Potential Energy | | --- | --- | | 1. Raise the skater’s height (e.g., move to a taller ramp peak).
2. Increase the skater’s mass (if the simulation allows). | 1. Lower the skater’s height (e.g., move to a lower ramp point).
2. Decrease the skater’s mass (if allowed). | ### How to Increase/Decrease Kinetic Energy | How to Increase Kinetic Energy | How to Decrease Kinetic Energy | | --- | --- | | 1. Release the skater from a higher height (increases speed).
2. Reduce friction (e.g., set to “none” in the simulation).
3. Push the skater (if the simulation has a push feature). | 1. Release the skater from a lower height (decreases speed).
2. Increase friction (e.g., set to “lots” in the simulation).
3. Let the skater slow down naturally due to friction. | # Answer: ### Potential Energy Table - **How to Increase Potential Energy**: Raise the skater’s height (or increase mass, if allowed). - **How to Decrease Potential Energy**: Lower the skater’s height (or decrease mass, if allowed). ### Kinetic Energy Table - **How to Increase Kinetic Energy**: Release from a higher height (or reduce friction, or push). - **How to Decrease Kinetic Energy**: Release from a lower height (or increase friction, or let friction slow them). (Note: The exact actions may vary slightly based on the PhET simulation’s features, but these are the core principles of energy transfer.)

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How to Increase/Decrease Potential Energy

How to Increase/Decrease Kinetic Energy

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Potential Energy Table

Kinetic Energy Table