Energy Skate Park
"Energy Skate Park" is a free Java applet used to simulate the motion of a skateboarder along a track. Visitors can choose to download the applet or run it online. Teachers can download a PDF of tips produced by the authors of the applet. Teachers can also download lesson plans submitted by other teachers who have used the resource in their classroom.
Teachers can use this simulation to demonstrate conservation of mechanical energy as gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. Friction may be included so that heat energy 'loss' can be shown. The software visualizes a skateboarder in motion as well as displaying energy-time and energy-position graphs. The user can compare energy transformation on Earth to the moon (lower g), Jupiter (higher g), and the vacuum of space (g=0). A slide bar allows for further variation of acceleration. The track (path) of the skateboarder is also adjustable.
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eduToolbox® is a resource-sharing portal developed by the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation with collaborative support and funding from the Tennessee Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education's Math & Science Partnership program.
