Name: Date: Period:

Phet Simulation: Energy Skate Park

Instructions:
 In groups of two, get a laptop or use a classroom computer.
 Go to this web page: http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Energy_Skate_Park or, go to Google
and search for: phet skate park.
 Click on the Run Now! Button.

Set Up: On the right hand side of the screen, select the following options:
1. Click on Potential Energy Reference
2. Click on Show Pie Chart and With Thermal
3. Find the box that says Location. Click on Earth.
4. The program should be running.
5. You can click on Pause or simply put the skater anywhere on the ramp.

Assignment:
Answer the questions below in complete sentences, using evidence from the simulation.

A. What do the pie charts tell you?

What is happening to the pie chart as the skater goes up each side of the ramp?

B. Click on Bar Graph on the tool panel. What does the bar graph show? (If necessary, you can slow down the
skater using the sim speed toggle below). What rules does it follow?

C. What determines the Gravitational Potential Energy pie section? What rule(s) does it seem to follow? Draw
two pie charts to explain.
D. What determines the Kinetic Energy pie section? What rules does it seem to follow? Draw two pie charts to
explain.

E. There is no Thermal Energy part of the Energy Pie. What can you do with the settings to the right to increase
this part of the energy pie?

F. What rules does it seem to follow? Look at the bar charts for more information.

G. What does the size of the pie represent? How many ways can you find to make the pie bigger or smaller?

H. What rules does it seem to follow?

I. What is the system in this simulation? When and where is energy being stored? How can you tell?
 J. How does going into outer space affect the energy pie charts? Specifically, what happens to the gravitational
energy?

K. What objects must be in your system in order to have Gravitational energy?

Click on Reset in the upper right corner and Pause the Skater. Click on the three blue dots in the upper left hand corner
that says, “Drag to add Track”. Add some sections onto your track and arrange your track as you see fit. Keep friction
turned off, and leave the gravity on Earth.

Sketch your track below:

J. What general rule about the hills do you have to follow to get the skater to go all the way from one side of your track
to the other? What can affect whether it works or not?
Inquiry:
It’s your job to design the most exciting but safe rollercoaster possible. The skater has to be able to travel from the start
to the finish. Sketch your design below:

Where did the initial energy come from?

Where does it go?

In your own words, describe what an energy transfer is:

In your rollercoaster, when and how is energy being transferred?