SKATEBOARD SCIENCELearning about Mechanics: the physics of

motion

By doing this project:

We build skate park obstacles and test them with marble skaters.We also learn how to:• keep the marble skater safely on the track• reduce loss of energy through friction• ensure the marble skater has enough energy to flow from one obstacle on to the next

VocabularyMECHANICS : The branch of physics that

deals with motion.CONSERVATION OF ENERGY: Energy can

neither be created nor destroyed.

Conservation of EnergyEnergy is never created nor destroyed. Energy can be transformed from one form to another by various means, but the total energy into the transformation will always be equal to the energy out of the

transformation.

Conservation of energy cont’d…Usually in a transformation, more than one form of energy is produced.

For example: When electrical energy is transformed into mechanical energy by a motor, heat energy is also produced. In this case, the electrical energy in will be equal to the mechanical energy and the heat energy out.

TRANSFER OF ENERGYEnergy has been passed from one body to another without change.

Example: a pool ball striking another transfers its kinetic energy to the second ball.

Transformation of EnergyRefers to a change in the form of energy.

Example: when a light bulb transforms electrical energy into light energy.

FORCEForce is a push or pull. It can be applied

directly (with a hand) or indirectly (with a magnet)

By itself, a force does not do work, nor does it require energy. Example: a tightrope

KINETIC ENERGY

This refers to moving, mechanical energy.

When a rolling marble skater reaches the bottom of the chute it has maximum kinetic energy.

POTENTIAL ENERGYThis refers to stored Mechanical energy.

When you move the marble skater to the top of the chute you are storing potential energy.

Potential and Kinetic Energy and the Conservation of Energy

Throughout Skateboard Science you see these ideas work together. When a marble skater is lifted to the top of a chute, a certain amount of potential

energy is given to it. As the marble skater rolls down the chute its potential energy is transformed to kinetic energy. At the bottom of the chute, the marble skater has no remaining potential energy because all of it has been transferred to kinetic

energy. As a result the marble skater is travelling at high speed. The transformation traded height for speed. This trade is reversed as the marble skater

rolls up an obstacle. Speed is traded for height.

FORMS OF ENERGY (ones we are familiar with)

MechanicalElectricalChemical

HeatLight

FRICTIONThe transfer of kinetic energy from one moving body to the atoms matter around

it.

INERTIAThe word used to describe the law of

physics which states that stopped objects will remain stopped and a moving object

tends to maintain its direction and speed.