Investigating Force and Energy

Introduction
All life depends upon energy which allows us to move and interact with our environment. Formally energy is
defined as the ability or capacity to do work. Most of the energy on the earth comes from the sun. The sun's rays are
needed so that plants can make food. Animals and human beings use the energy found in food to operate their bodies and
muscles. The sun's energy is also stored in coal, wood, and oil, which are burnt to do work.
All energy originates from four fundamental forces: strong nuclear forces, weak nuclear forces, gravitational forces,
and electromagnetic forces. We find that these fundamental forces act to produce common forms of energy in our
environment. These forms include: thermal, light, sound, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and nuclear.
People often confuse energy, force, work, and power. Force is a push or a pull on an object. Energy is the ability to
do work. Work and energy are measured in the same units. The amount of work is determined by the strength of the force
used to move an object and the distance the object moves. Power measures the rate at which work is done.
In this activity we will explore the various ways energy is transferred to an object that result in changing its motion.
This motion will be observed as arace between two marbles. The winner of the race did so because of possessing more
energy. Was greater energy transferred to the winning marble due to its mass, starting height, or diameter? In the
following activities we will answer these questions.
Objectives for this Unit
1. Given the following list of terms, identify each term's correct definition.
Conversely, given definitions identify their correct terms. Acceleration,
force, kinetic energy, mass, potential energy, kinetic energy
2. Identify or describe the four fundamental forces and the forms of energy
they produce.
3. Given the formula for Newtons second law, f = m X a, describe how
acceleration depends upon the relationship between mass of the object and
the force applied
4. Identify or describe the two types of energy and given the formula for
potential energy P.E. = m x g x h, explain the formula.
5. Identify the affect of position/height on the energy of an object
6. Identify the affect of mass on the energy of an object
Materials
Inclined plane, ramp, Meter stick, Newton scale, Various Marbles:
Diameter (cm) Mass (g)
Mass (kg)
Description
1- 2.54
12.5
0.0125
Rubber Ball
1- 2.54
66.8
0.0668
Steel Ball
2 - 2.54
20.0
0.0200
Yellow Glass
2 - 1.50
0.51
0.0051
Blue Glass
Types of Energy
The various forms of energy can be exhibited as two types, potential and kinetic energy. Potential is the amount of
stored energy and kinetic is the dynamic or energy due to the motion of the object.
Potential energy is the energy stored by an object as a result of its position or the position of its parts. A rock on a
table, a bowl of cereal, a stick of dynamite, and a tank of gasoline are all examples of objects that have energy stored in
atoms or molecules. The rock has potential energy because of its height that can be released and converted to kinetic
energy and heat, if it is dropped.
Potential Energy = mass
Where:
P.E. =
m=
g=
h=

acceleration of gravity x height

or P.E. = m x g x h

potential energy is equal to force (force = mass x acceleration) multiplied by distance. The result is a
unit of measurement labeled newton-meters. 1 newton-meter is a unit called a joule.
the mass of the object being considered
The acceleration of gravity on planet Earth, 9.8 meters / second 2. (i.e. an object that is dropped will
accelerate at a rate of 9.8 m/sec2)
height in meters that the object falls.
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Kinetic energy is the dynamic energy that matter has because of its motion and mass. Moving cars, a falling rock, a
bullet shot from a gun or a flow of electrons are all examples of kinetic energy.
Kinetic Energy = mass x velocity2 or K.E. = m x v2
Where:
K.E. = the energy that a body possesses as a result of its mass and velocity. The result is a unit of
measurement labeled newton-meters. 1 newton-meter is a unit called a joule.
m = the mass of the object moved and would be measured in Kilograms.
v = the velocity measured in meters per second.
Force and Energy Activities
In the following activities two objects will race each other down an inclined plane. Our investigations are to discover
what characteristics can be used to determine the winner of the race. (Predict the future)
25.00-cm
50.00-cm

Finish Line

Section 1: Measuring the Force

When an object moves, some form of energy was transferred imparting a force to the object causing the movement.
A change in movement or velocity of the object is referred to as acceleration. As Newton described in his second law the
amount of acceleration depends upon the relationship between mass of the object and the force applied to the object. The
following is a statement of this relationship.
force = mass
Where:
f =

acceleration

or

f=m

The force (a push or a pull) that tends to produce an acceleration of some mass in the direction of its
application measured in Kg - meters / sec 2 is a unit of measurement called a newton. (Note: 4.5 newton is
approximately 1 pound).

m = the mass of the object moved (measured in Kilograms).

a = the acceleration of the object that moved and is an indication of a change in velocity over a period of time.
Acceleration (measured in meters / second2).
A push or a pull is considered a force. The strength of a force is measured in newtons and is described by Newtons
second law f = m x a where f is force, m is mass measured in kilograms, and a is the acceleration due to gravity.
The purpose of the inclined planes is to supply that force for our racers. We could measure the force applied to the racers
with a newton scale by simply attaching the scale to our racers while they are on the ramp. We could also calculate the
force based upon the mass of the racers and their placement on the ramp. The forces for each racer based upon their
position on the ramp will be found in table 1. Look at these forces carefully and answer the following question.
1. How does the force change due to a change in the mass?
2. What does the amount of force depend?
Section 2: Which One Wins?
In the following activities you will race two marbles to determine which crosses the finish line first. To be declared the
winner a marble must win by at least the diameter of the marble. It must be a clear winner or we will declare a tie.
1. Place a piece of tape for the start line and lineup the end/bottom of the ramps with the start line.
2. Place a piece of tape for a finish line 50.0-cm. from the start line. Adjust the ramps to any height, but the same
height. (see chart)
3. Select two marbles with the same mass and diameter and place them on the starting point at the top of the ramps.
4. Release them at the same instant and observe the outcome of the race.
5. Select another two marbles with the same mass and diameter and repeat the race.
6. Complete the statement: When two marbles that are the same race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Section 3: Changing the Height of the Racer

In this activity we will keep the release position and the mass of the marble constant while varying the height.
1. Predict (P) the winning ramp for each race.
2. Adjust the ramps to the height indicated in the table for position 1.
3. Select two large marbles with the same mass (20.0-g or .02-Kg) and diameter. Obtain the force for the marbles from
table 1 and record.
4. Place one marbles on the ramp A one marbles on the ramp B and then release them at the same instant and observe
the outcome of the race. Repeat three times to verify the results. Record the actual winner (A).
5. Repeat the above procedure for each of the other heights indicated in the table.
6. Calculate the Potential Energy for each race.
Ramp A
Height
meters

Force
Newtons

Winning
Ramp

Ramp B
P.E.
P.E. = m x g x h
Joules

Height
meters

Position 1

0.03

0.03

Position 2

0.03

0.06

Position 3

0.03

0.09

Force
Newtons

P.E.
P.E. = m x g x h
Joules

7. Does the change in height effect speed of the marble to cross the finish line? Why?
8. If energy is the ability to do work does the change in height affect energy? (Explain fully)
Section 4: Changing the Mass of the Racer
In this activity we will keep the release position and the height of the marble constant while varying the mass .
1. Predict (P) the winning ramp for each race.
2. Place the two ramps at the 0.06-m height. You will leave them at this height for the entire experiment.
3. Select marbles mass 1 (mass as indicated in the table). Obtain the force for the marbles from table 1 and record.
4. Place the marbles on the ramps then release them at the same instant and observe the outcome of the race. Repeat
three times to verify the results. Record the actual winner (A).
5. Repeat the above procedure for each of the other masses indicated in the table.
6. Calculate the Potential Energy for each race.
Ramp A
Mass
(Kilogram)

Winning
Ramp

Ramp B

Force

P.E.

Newtons

P.E. = m x g x h
Joules

Mass
(Kilogram)

Mass 1

0.0051

0.0051

Mass 2

0.0051

0.0120

Mass 3

0.0051

0.0200

Mass 4

0.0051

0.0668

Force

P.E.

Newtons

P.E. = m x g x h

Joules

7. Does the change in mass effect speed of the marble to cross the finish line? Why?
8. If energy is the ability to do work does the change in mass affect energy? (Explain fully)

Instructors Note:
We have learned how the factors of height, mass, and force interact. There is one activity that will help clarify the
relationship. In the above activities our racecourse was 50.00-cm. which works well for desktops but does not let us see
all the energy in the racers. Place the ramps on the floor and repeat the previous experiments this time allowing the racers
to run as far as they can. This will use up (convert to motion) all the energy and we will observe which one went the
farthest or had the most energy.
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Energy and Work Activities

Work is defined as the expenditure of energy that occurs when a force is used to move an object through a given
distance. A quantitative measure of work is determined by the product of the force acting and the distance moved in the
direction the force acts:
work = force x distance or
w = f x d
Section 5: The Affect of Height on Energy and Work
In this activity we will use only one ramp and keep the release position, top of ramp, and the mass of the marble constant
while varying the height. We will place a barrier at the end of the ramp which we will know the force needed to move it.
Based upon our previous experiments we learned which condition produced the most energy and therefore which
condition should result in the barrier being moved the farthest. We can measure this distance and with the force needed to
move the barrier we can calculate the work done by moving the barrier. (w = f x d)
1. Adjust the ramp to the height indicated in the table.
2. Select one 0.0051 kg marble. Obtain the force for the marble from table 1 and record.
3. Place the marble on the ramp, then release it and measure the distance the barrier was moved using the grid
provided. Repeat three times to verify the results. Place the ramp on the grid. Mark the zero point of the barrier and
measure how far the barrier moves.
4. Repeat the above procedure for each of the other heights indicated in the table.
5. Calculate the potential energy of the marble using P.E. = m x g x h.
Where:
m = mass in kilograms
g = force of gravity 9.8 m/sec2
h = height object dropped (marble) in meters
6. Calculate work done using w = f x d.
Where:
f = force in newtons.
d = distance barrier moved measured in meters.
Marble/Object 1.5-cm
Height

Mass

(meters)

(Kilogram)

Position 1

0.03-m

Position 2

0.06-m

Position 3

0.09-m

Barrier

Potential Energy

Force

P.E. = m x g x h

Needed to move

(Joule)

(Newton)

Distance
(Meter)

Work
w=f x d

(joule)

7. Does the change in height affect the potential energy? If it does, how?
8. If energy is the ability to do work does the change in height affect energy? (Explain fully)
9. Why isnt work equal to potential energy?

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Section 6: The Affect of Mass Energy and on Work

In this activity we will use only one ramp and keep the release position, top of ramp, and
the height of the marble constant while varying the mass. We will place a barrier at the end
of the ramp which we will know the force needed to move it. Based upon our previous
experiments we learned which condition produced the most energy and therefore which
condition should result in the barrier being moved the farthest. We can measure this
distance and with the force needed to move the barrier we can calculate the work done by
moving the barrier.
(w = f x d)

19
18

1. Adjust the ramp to the height indicated in the table.

2. Select one marble (mass 1). Obtain the force for the marbles from table 1 and record.
3. Place the marble on the ramp, then release it and measure the distance the barrier
was moved using the grid provided. Repeat three times to verify the results.
4. Repeat the above procedure for each of the other masses indicated in the table.
5. Calculate the potential energy of the marble using P.E. = m x g x h.
6. Calculate work done using w = f x d.
Marble/Object
Height

Mass

(meters)

(Kilogram)

Mass 1

0.03

Mass 2

0.03

Mass 3

0.03

17
16
15
14
13

Barrier

Potential Energy

Force

P.E. = m x g x h

Needed to move

(joule)

(newton)

Distance
(meter)

Work
w=f

(joule)

12
d

11
10
09
08

7. Does the change in mass affect the potential energy? If it does, how?
8. If energy is the ability to do work does the change in mass affect energy?
(Explain fully)
9. Why isnt work equal to potential energy?

07
06
05
04
03
02
01

Start

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25.00-cm
F11
h

Wt

F_l_

sin = h / 25.00
F11 = Wt x sin

F11

Table 1 Physical Properties of Marbles

Physical Properties

Calculated Force in Newtons Due to Angle

Diameter
(cm)

Mass
(kilogram)

3.00-cm

6.00-cm

9.00-cm

Vertical

Steel

2.54

0.0668

0.08

0.16

0.24

0.66

Yellow Glass

2.54

0.0200

0.02

0.05

0.07

0.19

Yellow Glass

2.54

0.0200

0.02

0.05

0.07

0.19

Yellow Glass-B

2.54

0.0185

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.18

Yellow Glass-B

2.54

0.0185

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.18

Rubber Ball

2.54

0.0125

0.015

0.03

0.045

0.1225

Blue Glass

1.50

0.0051

0.006

0.0122

0.0184

0.0499

Blue Glass

1.50

0.0051

0.006

0.0122

0.0184

0.0499

Description

-- -- -- --

Suggest We Remove

To convert grams to newtons:

1.
Change grams to Kilograms
2.
Calculate newtons f = m x a
Where a is acceleration due to the force of gravity (9.8 m/sec2) and m is the mass in kilograms

Investigating Force and Energy 2009

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