1. Lessons 10 and 12 Notes The Mousetrap Car and The Rollercoaster

2. Lesson 10: The Mousetrap Car Work is done on an object when: 1.Energy is transformed from one form to another. Example: When the mousetrap car is wound up and the mousetrap pulls back, that car has potential energy. As the car begins to move, the energy is transformed from potential energy to kinetic energy. Work is being done.

3. 2.The mousetrap is the force that moves the car. Work is being done. Example: A force that is applied to an object moves that object.

4. Potential energy is stored energy and is related to the position of the object. Kinetic energy is the energy associated with moving objects.

5. Lesson 12: The Rollercoaster As the rollercoaster car moves along the track, it has kinetic energy. The rollercoaster car also has gravitational potential energy when it is at the top of the rollercoaster’s hills. The rollercoaster has the most gravitational potential energy when it is at the top of the highest hill. – The amount of gravitational potential energy an object has depends on its weight and how high above the ground it is.

6. Gravitational potential energy is calculated as followed: Gravitational Potential Energy = Weight (N) x Height (m) x Force of Gravity (9.8 N/kg) Gravitational Potential Energy is measured in Joules.

7. Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Example: The force of the mousetrap is the action that causes the car to move forward (the reaction).