There are several different types of balls in the exhibit. Choose one. Release it from one end of the track. Then release another and see how its action is similar and different.
Release two different balls at the same time on adjoining tracks and watch them until they stop.
Working with another person, hold a ball at each end of the track, release them at the same time and watch the collision. Repeat with different types of balls.
When a ball is held at the end of a track, it has potential energy. When it is released, it starts moving. Thus the potential energy is transformed to moving or kinetic energy. This transformation continues several times until the ball comes to a rest. The amount of potential energy a ball has depends upon both its weight or mass and the distance it can fall.
A moving object's momentum depends upon both its mass and speed or velocity. By observing collisions one can compare the relative momentum of different objects.
Landslides and rock slides can produce devastating destruction. We often forget that hillsides have tremendous potential energy, and are simply waiting to be set in motion. The masses of the moving objects are usually tremendous, and the velocities can be very high as well.
Marbles can be used to study collisions. Track could be constructed by gluing together pieces of yardstick. A sturdier track could be made by nailing pieces of half round molding (the sides of the track) onto a board.
Does a ball resting on a table top have potential energy?
Many people think not, because the table is strong enough to support the ball. But what if the table is taken away? No change has been made to the ball, and at that point it would begin falling. So a ball resting on a table does have potential energy. A tree growing on a hillside has potential energy, and a car parked on a hill has potential energy. All are temporarily prevented from moving.
Hold a heavy ball and a lighter ball at the end of adjoining tracks. The heavy ball has more potential energy because it has more mass. Release the two balls at the same time and let them roll until they stop. They travel about the same distance. Why didn't the heavy ball roll farther?
The greater mass of the heavy ball also causes it to have greater friction with the track. Friction is an energy transformation, meaning it takes away some of the energy of the moving ball.
What is a very observable difference between a rolling heavy ball and a rolling light ball and what is the source of the energy involved?
A rolling heavy ball is very loud and a rolling light ball very quiet. Energy is needed to make noise, and some of the heavy ball's energy is transformed into noise energy.
There are two types of light balls, one is light gray in color and the other a darker gray. Without hefting them in your hands, how can you determine which one is heavier?
Momentum depends upon both velocity of an object and its mass. If two moving objects have the same velocity, the one with the larger mass will have the greater momentum. Hold one of each of the balls at opposite ends of the track and release them at the same time. When they collide one will demonstrate more momentum than the other.
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This exhibit was suggested by Mr. Paul Connell.
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