Gravitational Potential Energy Investigation!!

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Date:

Part 1: Understanding Gravitational Potential Energy!!!

1. In your own words, define gravitational potential energy (GPE):

2. Circle the correct answer: What happens to gravitational potential energy as an object gets higher?

3. Draw a diagram showing a ball at two different heights. Label which position has more gravitational potential energy:

Instructions: Work in groups to drop a ball from different heights. Record your measurements and observations below.

4. Complete the data table:

5. What pattern do you notice between drop height and bounce height?

6. Explain why a ball dropped from a greater height bounces higher:

7. When a ball is held up high, it has gravitational potential energy. What type of energy does it have when it is falling?

8. Complete the energy transformation diagram by filling in the missing words:

Ball at height → _____________ Potential Energy

↓

Ball falling → _____________ Energy

↓

Ball hits ground → Sound + Heat Energy

9. Circle all the real-life examples where gravitational potential energy is important:

10. Describe one example from your own life where you have experienced gravitational potential energy being converted to kinetic energy:

11. Why is understanding gravitational potential energy important for engineers and designers?

12. How might understanding energy help us care for our environment (kaitiakitanga)?

13. Design your own experiment to test gravitational potential energy using different objects or conditions. Describe your method: