Show students the supplies: inform them that they can use up to 15 craft sticks and 20 rubber bands, but they only get one bottle cap.Also, only permit the instructors to handle and use the hot glue guns. Note: Do not hand out any supplies to groups until their designs are approved and do not hand out the candies until catapult construction is complete. Then, groups construct their catapults, and use them to launch candy pieces at a target. First, they design their catapults and get them checked by the instructor. Then, the potential energy of the cars is converted into enough kinetic energy to keep them in motion for the length of the track. This is done by raising the cars to a great height, increasing their gravitational potential energy. When the roller coaster reaches the highest point (before the biggest drop), the cars must have enough potential energy to power them for the rest of the ride. A simple example is the design of a roller coaster-a project that involves both mechanical and civil engineers. When a rubber band is stretched, its potential energy increases when it is released, it snaps back (kinetic energy), and its potential energy returns to zero.Įngineers must understand both potential and kinetic energy. Potential energy can come from gravity, but also from elasticity, such as a rubber band. On the other hand, a ball resting on the level ground has no gravitational potential energy it has no potential for movement unless acted on by an outside force (other than gravity). The potential energy is converted to kinetic energy during the fall. A ball held at some height above the ground has potential energy caused by gravity when the ball is dropped, it falls at an increasing rate, increasing its kinetic energy while decreasing its potential energy. What is potential energy? Potential energy is energy that is stored and can be turned into kinetic energy, the energy of motion.

Bolded words are vocabulary and concepts to highlight with students during the activity.

Katapult designs for students