Potential -- Kinetic Energy Demo

Summary

Teacher demo to show the difference between Kinetic and Potential energy.

Materials

• 4 eggs
• 4 empty toilet paper rolls
• thick piece of cardboard about 1 foot square
• 4 plastic cups
• a broom
• water

Instructional Procedures

1. Have students define potential and kinetic energy,, write these definitions on the board
2. Follow instructions for demo here: Drop Eggs into Cups.
3. After demo ask students the following questions:
   • When did the eggs have the most potential energy? (when the eggs were in the toilet paper rolls.
   • When did the broom have the most potential energy? (when it was pulled back)
   • When did the eggs have the most kinetic energy? (right before they hit the water)
   • When did the broom have the most kinetic energy? (right before it hit the cardboard)
   • What other objects experienced a change from potential energy to kinetic energy? (the toilet paper rolls and the cardboard)
   • Do the eggs in the cups still have potential energy? (yes, they could still fall to the floor)

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.