There are two types of energy you will need to know about: potential and kinetic. There are also two forces of motion: push and pull. You will use this knowledge to build and test your rubber band car. By the end of this module, you will be able to:
Explain the differences between potential and kinetic energy, and how they will help power your car.
Share how the forces of push and pull affect how your car will move.
Potential energy is the energy waiting to do something, and kinetic energy is the energy of motion! Let's investigate with a rubber band. Potential Energy is stored energy. An example is a rubber band that you have stretched out. When you stretch out a rubber band and hold it, the rubber band is storing energy. It's like the rubber band is waiting to do something exciting, like a spring ready to bounce. Kinetic Energy is energy in motion. If you were to let go of the stretched out rubber band, it woudl snap back. As the rubber band moves, it is using the stored energy to create motion. Watch the video to the left for a fun song to remember the difference between the two!
Try the simulation below to practice with potential and kinetic energy. Place the skateboarder on different places on the ramp. Which locations have the most potential energy? Which have the least?
On the right, follow the instructions to investigate potential and kinetic energy.
Juniors Potential and Kinetic.docxThink of push and pull as two kinds of actions we can do to make things move.
When you push something, you use your hands or body to move it away from you, like pushing someone on a swing or pushing a door open. When you pull something, you grab it and bring it closer to you, like pulling a wagon or pulling a drawer open.
Watch the video to the left to learn more about push and pull.
Try the simulation below to experiment with push and pull forces. You can place different size people at different locations on the rope to see how it impacts the forces of push and pull.
Juniors Push and Pull.docxFollow the instructions on the left to demonstrate the forces of push and pull. Don't forget to ask the questions at the end to help youth process the activity!
