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7.1 L7 Uncover: Skate Park Simulation

Last updated over 3 years ago
10 questions

7.1 L7 Uncover: Skate Park Simulation

Use the sim to help you make observations and answer the questions on this Formative.


1. Wait for the simulation below to load. Double-click the "Friction" tab.

2. Let’s turn the friction off. Click and drag the Friction bar all the way to the left (to “None”).

3. Click the “pause” button, and click and drag the skater to the top of the track. Make sure he is angled down the track (as in the picture).


4. Click “Play”, and watch what happens.

1

At what point(s) on the track does the skater have the most (gravitational) potential energy? Mark this location(s) on the diagram with a dot(s) and label with a “P”.
(You can click on the “Speed” button on the right if that will help you.)

1

At what point(s) on the track does the skater have the most kinetic energy? Mark this location(s) on the diagram with a dot(s) and label with a “K”.
(You can click on the “Speed” button on the right if that will help you.)

1

Predict what will happen when the friction is turned on.

Let’s turn the friction on to see if you are correct!

1. Double-click the "Friction" tab again.

2. Click and drag the friction bar halfway to the right (halfway to “Lots”).

3. Click “Play”, and watch what happens. You can rewatch the simulation by clicking on the blue “Restart Skater” button in the bottom right hand corner. Try this a few times, making sure to move the skater to different starting positions as well. You can also stop the skater at different points on the track.

1

What was different when the friction was turned on?

1

Explain why this happened.

1

Describe where energy is present in the system, and discuss the different types of energy that occurred.

0

Now go back up to the simulation and turn on the Bar Graph (on the right side of your screen). Watch the energy bars as the skater moves and comes to a stop. Check your explanation. Go back to the last couple of questions and revise anything that you want to revise after watching the Bar Graphs.

1

What happens to the TOTAL ENERGY in the skatepark system as the skater moves up and down the track? Use the Bar Graphs to help you answer this question.

1

Which situation is most similar to your own everyday experience with riding a bike or a skateboard, WITH friction or WITHOUT friction? Explain your answer.


Let’s see what happens if we change the mass.

1. Double-click the "Friction" tab again.

2. Click and drag the Mass bar to increase and decrease the mass of the skater. Watch what happens to the energy bars as you run the simulation.

1

How does changing the mass of the skater affect the system?

🛑 This is the end of the Formative. Please go back and review your work to see if you have missed any questions before you SUBMIT your Formative.