Guiding+Activity+(Jake+Trojak)

Guiding Questions:

 * How is energy transformed?
 * What type of energy is conserved?
 * How does energy transformation affect motion?

After completing this activity, the students will be able to

 * Describe effect of energy transformation in relation to motion
 * Explain how energy loss due to friction effects motion
 * Explain why total energy is conserved by total mechanical energy is not

Activities:
====Prior to this activity, the students should have some knowledge of what energy is and an idea of the different types of mechanical energy. (This can be done through lecture, readings, discussions or guided-inquiry activities). For this activity, students will be paired up and given a computer and worksheet that utilizes the Energy Skate Park Simulation.==== The worksheet is more or less self-directed and the students should be learning and figuring out the concepts on their own. Upon completion of worksheet, the teacher will lead a class discussion to make sure all core concepts were addressed and guiding questions were answered.

Extension:
This activity has students draw/create a simply skate-park track, it is a good lead-in to the machine they are to create as the challenge for the project. Students will be sent back to this activity when they need to be reminded about energy transformations.

Energy Skate Park Basics: Simulation
Worksheet: